Cinco De Drinko (Party-Style Margarita)
10 min
|
easy
|
gluten-free,
low-fat
Recipe by Eunice
Introduction
Meet your new party margarita: clean blanco tequila, bright lime, and orange liqueur balanced with agave and a hint of pineapple for a smooth, not-too-sweet sip that still hits with attitude.
Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, backyard cookouts, and rooftop hangs, this pitcher-friendly cocktail loves a chunky sea-salt rim and pairs hard with tacos, grilled shrimp, and chips and salsa.
Ingredients (8 servings)
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Ingredients
- 12 fl oz tequila blanco tequila blanco 12 fl oz
- 6 fl oz orange liqueur orange liqueur 6 fl oz
- 6 fl oz fresh lime juice limes 6 ct (for fresh lime juice)
- 4 fl oz agave syrup agave syrup 4 fl oz
- 4 fl oz pineapple juice pure pineapple juice 4 fl oz
- ice ice
For Rimming
- lime, wedges lime 1 ct
- sea salt sea salt 1 null
How to Make Cinco De Drinko (Party-Style Margarita)
-
Chill the pitcher and prep the rim
Fill your pitcher and rocks glasses with ice water to chill while you prep so the drink stays crisp, not watery.
Pour sea salt on a plate, run a lime wedge around half the rim of each glass, and dip to coat just the outside edge so you taste salt only when you want it.
-
Juice and measure like a pro
Juice limes fresh and fine-strain to catch pulp and bitterness, then measure everything with a jigger so the balance hits right on the money.
If your limes are extra tart, plan to nudge the agave up a touch later during tasting.
-
Build the pitcher
Dump the ice water, then add 12 oz tequila blanco, 6 oz orange liqueur, 6 oz lime juice, 4 oz agave syrup, and 4 oz pineapple juice to the chilled pitcher.
Add a generous load of fresh ice so the mix chills fast without getting sloppy.
-
Stir to chill and dilute
Stir steadily for 25 to 35 seconds until the pitcher feels frosty and the drink tastes cold, smooth, and slightly softened from dilution.
If serving over fresh ice, keep the stir on the shorter side so it does not over-dilute later.
-
Taste and balance
Take a small sip and adjust with a splash of lime for brightness, a barspoon of agave for sweetness, or a tiny pinch of salt to wake up the flavors.
You are going for lively acidity with a round, clean finish that does not burn.
-
Serve it right
Add fresh ice to your salted glasses, then pour the margarita and garnish with a lime wheel or a small wedge of pineapple if you are feeling flirty.
Keep the pitcher on ice between rounds so the last glass is as good as the first.
Substitutions
- Orange liqueur -> Dry curaçao or Cointreau
- Dry curaçao leans more orange-peel and slightly drier than standard triple sec, giving a cleaner snap, while Cointreau keeps it bright and citrusy without turning the drink syrupy.
- Agave syrup -> 1:1 honey syrup or simple syrup
- Honey syrup adds a floral roundness that plays beautifully with pineapple, while simple syrup keeps the profile neutral and lets the lime and tequila lead.
- Pineapple juice -> Mango nectar or passion fruit puree cut with water
- Mango brings lush body and tropical perfume, while passion fruit adds tangy intensity that pops against the salt rim, so either way you get a party in the glass.
Tips
- Only half-rim your glasses
- Salting just half the rim lets each sip be dialed to your taste and prevents the first mouthful from going full salt lick.
- Pre-chill everything
- Cold pitcher, cold glassware, and cold ingredients reduce melt, so your first round is icy and balanced instead of diluted and tired.
- Batch smart, add citrus last
- You can combine tequila, orange liqueur, agave, and pineapple up to a day ahead, then add lime and ice just before serving to keep the flavor bright.
- Dilution control
- Aim to stir until the drink softens and the edges fall away, because under-diluted tastes harsh and over-diluted tastes flat.
- Know your volumes
- For quick scaling: 12 oz tequila is 1.5 cups, 6 oz orange liqueur is 3/4 cup, 6 oz lime is 3/4 cup, 4 oz agave is 1/2 cup, and 4 oz pineapple is 1/2 cup.
- Spicy or smoky variation
- Muddle 2 to 3 jalapeño slices in the pitcher before adding liquids for heat, or swap 2 to 4 oz of tequila with mezcal for a smoky edge.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 82 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 0 | g |
| Total Fat | 0 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- It tastes too sweet, how do I fix it fast?
- Add 0.5 to 1 oz fresh lime and a small pinch of salt, stir, and taste again, because acidity and a touch of salinity snap the sweetness back into line.
- It is too tart, what now?
- Stir in 0.5 oz agave syrup or a splash of pineapple, taste, and repeat in tiny increments until it is bright but not sour.
- Can I make this ahead for a crowd?
- Yes, mix tequila, orange liqueur, agave, and pineapple up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate, then add lime and ice 10 minutes before guests arrive.
- How do I keep it cold without watering it down?
- Use a pre-chilled pitcher set in an ice bath and pour over fresh rocks in the glasses, because big fresh ice melts slower than the ice you used to stir.
- Can I make a frozen version?
- Blend the full batch with about 5 to 6 cups of ice until smooth, then taste and adjust with a little lime or agave since frozen drinks need a touch more intensity.
- What if I want a zero-proof pitcher?
- Use a zero-proof tequila alternative, or combine 12 oz coconut water, 8 oz pineapple juice, 6 oz lime, 6 oz orange juice, and 2 to 3 oz agave, then salt the rim so it still drinks like a margarita.
Serving Suggestions
This pitcher sings with a Tajin rim and a few muddled jalapeño slices if you want that flirty heat to play against the pineapple.
Pair with warm chips, garlicky guac, and grilled shrimp tacos, or toss a few pineapple spears on the grill for a smoky-sweet garnish that makes the whole spread feel restaurant-level.
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