This post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Mexican Firing Squad is a classic tequila cocktail that was first published in Charles H. Baker Jr.’s second volume of The Gentleman’s Companion, which centered around exotic drinks he experienced on his world travels. According to the book, it was created during Prohibition at La Cucaracha Bar in Mexico City, Mexico, a known favorite of many thirsty Americans visiting the country at the time.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila: This is one of the base spirits. We used Dulce Vida Spirits Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila for its delicious fruit flavor and heat from the pepper.
Tequila Blanco: This is the other base spirit. It’s a type of tequila made with unaged agave. We used El Jimador Tequila Blanco because it has a light and palatable agave flavor and is affordable. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila.
Lime Juice: This adds sour citrus flavors for balance. We prefer to use fresh citrus juice because it’s less bitter than the bottled stuff and tastes better.
Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters: This is a type of spirit infused with botanicals. They add more spice and complexity to the drink and tie the other flavors together.
Lime Wedge: This is the garnish. It adds fresh lime aroma and flavor when spritzed over the drink.
Tasting Notes
The Mexican Firing Squad is usually a simple yet tasty recipe made with tequila, grenadine, lime juice, and bitters, so we kicked ours up an extra notch with a split base of jalapeño pineapple tequila. It started with inviting scents of jalapeño and grenadine, featured the sweet taste of pineapple initially, and finished with a dryness from the bitters and pomegranate.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both really liked this drink. Kendall may have even promptly declared our shoot wrapped after a few sips so she didn’t have to focus on anything but drinking more of them the rest of the night. And we both thought this sweet and spicy agave cocktail is a great alternative to the Classic Margaritas we usually enjoy for Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
AuthorThe Essential Cocktail BookPrep Time5 minsAdd pineapple jalapeño tequila, blanco tequila, lime juice, grenadine, bitters, and ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over ice.
Garnish with lime slice.
Ingredients
Directions
Add pineapple jalapeño tequila, blanco tequila, lime juice, grenadine, bitters, and ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over ice.
Garnish with lime slice.
Tools & Glassware We Recommend
More Tequila Cocktails
If you like this tequila cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
• Privateer (Variation): A tequila cocktail made with passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, smoke and salt bitters, rosemary, and Tajín
• Salted Sage Paloma: A tequila cocktail made with grapefruit juice, lime juice, salted sage syrup, soda water, and sage leaves
• Mocha Spiked Horchata: A tequila cocktail made with horchata, cold-brew coffee, chocolate bitters, and ground cinnamon
• Wild Rose: A tequila and dry sparkling wine cocktail made with pineapple gum syrup, maraschino liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters, and a orange twist
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2022-12-02.
