17 Popular Drinks to Order in Mexico in 2023

By now you probably have a good idea about what to eat when you visit Mexico. But now it’s time to figure out what popular drinks in Mexico you are going to be sipping on between visits to the beach and exploring ancient ruins.

Mexico has so much more to offer than just cold beer with a lime in it. The delicious and unique flavors of the drinks outshine the diversity that are available in the country.

This list has you covered from the best cocktails in Mexico to ancestral drinks that date all the way back to 200 AD.

Whether you are watching some live music at a beach bar or want a few traditional Mexican drinks to wash down your tacos, one of these refreshing beverages is sure to hit the spot.

Of all of these amazing drinks to get in Mexico, which one will you choose?

Drinks to Order in Mexico: Alcoholic Drinks

1. Tequila

This infamous spirit often gets a bad reputation from those that chose to overconsume. Tequila is an artisanal spirit that is heralded for its use in cocktails along with its stand-alone prowess as a sipable liquor.

Tequila is a labor of love and takes many years to produce because of the blue agave plants’ long growing time of 7 years. The liquor also undergoes an aging period ranging from under 60 days to over 3 years.

There are 5 types of tequila that are made the exact same way that vary depending on the time the tequila spent in oak barrels. 

2. Mezcal

This artisanal spirit is made by distilling agave pinas that have been roasted and fermented. The total process is extremely lengthy and can take up to 30 years to produce because of the lengthy maturation process of some of the wild agave plants.

It is only legally allowed to be made in nine different states in Mexico and 75% of all production takes place in Oaxaca. Mezcal is highly revered and it is frowned upon to take it as a shot.

Take your time to experience each glass and take small sips called besos (kisses) as the locals do.

3. Margarita

Of all of the famous Mexican drinks, this classic cocktail has to be the most recognizable and beloved.

Margaritas are served across Mexico to the sunburnt beach-going tourists and to socialites that are out for the evening at classy cocktail bars.

Margarita is fairly simple and only relies on a few ingredients in order to find a nice acidic and sweet balance. This popular Mexican cocktail starts with tequila and then follows with orange liqueur and lime juice.

It is then shaken with ice before being strained into a glass with a salted rim. If you see a slushy version, run and find yourself a real bartender that can make you this delicious cocktail.

4. Paloma

It is often thought that the margarita is the most popular cocktail in Mexico, but in reality, it’s the Paloma.

This refreshing tequila-based beverage is made by either adding grapefruit juice and soda water or using a grapefruit soda like Jarritos or Squirt soda.

Paloma’s history is mostly unknown, but what is certain is that it was a hit that started to gain in popularity in the late ’50s. The Paloma is often accented with a salty rim that is a nod to the classic greyhound cocktail.

5. Rompope

If you happen to visit Mexico during the Christmas season, you need to give this eggnog-like beverage a try.

This milk-based drink is thickened with egg yolks that give it its unique color. Vanilla and sometimes different nuts or local fruits are used for flavoring.

For the adult version, rum is added to make it a festive drink for almost any occasion. Don’t fret if you can’t make it to Mexico during the holidays, as it is available at stores year around.

6. Michelada

This is essentially Mexico’s version of the bloody mary but with a little spice and a lot of cheap light beer instead of vodka.

Technically, this drink is considered a beer cocktail that is flavored with Maggi seasoning, Worcestershire, lime juice, and hot sauce like Cholula or Valentina.

It is served in a glass with ice and a salted rim that is often spiked with chili. The cousin of this drink is called the chelada which is simply lime juice and a salted rim.

7. Pulque

This fermented beverage dates all the way back to before pre-hispanic times but in the late 1940s pulque fell out of favor as beer gained in popularity. It is now making a big comeback as pulque bars have been opening all over Mexico.

Pulque is made by fermenting agave sap that ends up with a resulting beverage that is thick and somewhat slimy with an alcohol percentage of around 6 to 7 percent.

There are also flavored versions that have the addition of sugar and flavors that can range from coffee to pineapple. 

8. Mexican Beer

The vast majority of the adult drinking population has had a Corona with lime at one point or another. Well, the good news is that you will have some options outside of Corona when you visit.

In fact, Mexico is home to many brands of beer ranging from cheap light beer to modern craft IPAs that rival the best in the world.

Outside of the specialty beer circles, a few companies including Grupo Modelo, Heineken Mexico and Tecate produce most of the country’s beer production which adds up to over five million gallons of beer annually.

The best way to find out which brand makes your favorite is to wash down some tacos with an ice-cold Mexican beer.

9. Mexican Wines

Most wine drinkers are shocked when they find out that wine is even made in Mexico. They are even more blown away when they try some of the amazing Mexican wines produced in the 7 wine regions of the country.

Over two dozen different varietals of grapes grow in the wine regions due to the different climates and soil compositions.

Of all the seven wine-growing regions, Baja makes 85% of the wine and is the most notable in quality and production. So next time you are in Mexico on vacation, don’t scoff at a wine if you see Mexico on the label and give it a try.

Popular Drink in Mexico: Non-Alcoholic

10. Horchata

With it’s origin from Valencia, Spain, the early explorers introduced this popular Mexican drink to the new world. The first versions were made with tiger nuts but in Mexico, the recipe was adapted to use rice and almonds as a way to make this milky beverage.

Cinnamon, rice, and almonds are soaked overnight before blending them up with evaporated milk, condensed milk, and a touch of vanilla. It is blended and served over ice.

One of the best drinks to try in Mexico and a perfect way to extinguish even the spiciest of Mexican salsas.

11. Aguas Frescas

This is a catch-all term meaning blended fruit drinks that are sweetened with sugar. The popularity of these drinks in Mexico is so big that you rarely see anyone eating from a street cart or restaurant that isn’t sipping on an agua fresca.

You will not have a hard time finding these beverages as they are available all over Mexico in markets, from street vendors, and even sold commercially in stores.

The flavors range greatly from tamarindo (fresh tamarind) to agua de jamaica (hibiscus blossom) but the best versions are made with whatever is in season at the moment. 

12. Hot Chocolate

Chocolate is an extremely important part of the culture in Mexico including mythology and connections to it being a food of the gods.

The majority of chocolate that is consumed in Mexico is actually prepared in the form of beverages with traditions that have been passed down by their ancestors.

In places like Oaxaca, Mexican hot chocolate is no exception as it is a deeply rooted part of their way of life. It can be prepared several ways, but the best version is made with milk and spiced with a touch of cinnamon.

It is lightly foamed up in order to aerate the liquid and elevate the aromatics with the resulting bubbles paying homage to the gods.

13. Mexican Ponche

This Christmas-time beverage is essentially a hot beverage that is flavored with the addition of hibiscus, tamarind, cinnamon, and piloncillo which is unrefined pure cane sugar.

It then gets fresh fruit added depending on what is in season at the moment along with various dried fruits. One important fruit is called tejocotes which are small hard tree fruits that have a sour and bitter flavor.

This traditional Mexican drink can be spiked with alcohol for an extra festive treat.

14. Atole

One of the best drinks to try in Mexico, this comforting beverage is simply made up of two ingredients.

Water is heated and masa harina is added which thickens up the drink giving a creamy texture that is equal parts comforting and warming which is perfect for chilly winter nights.

Some versions are sweetened with piloncillo (raw cane sugar) and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla making this a sweet dessert-like beverage. 

15. Cafe de Olla

This traditional coffee hailing from Oaxaca is sweetened with piloncillo (raw cane sugar) and flavored with a combination of cinnamon, orange zest, and cloves.

What makes this Mexican coffee extra special is that it is made and served in earthenware cups that impart a unique flavor from the clay that they are made from. Cafe de Olla is served across Oaxaca anywhere they serve breakfast dishes.

16. Tejate

This ancestral beverage is an important part of the culture of Oaxaca and is readily available from street vendors and markets in Oaxaca.

Fresh cocoa pods are ground up with toasted corn, cocoa blossoms, and seeds from the mamey fruit before being added to a large ceramic bowl.

The ground cocoa is then mixed with water by pouring the liquid a bowl at a time back into the main large ceramic bowl. This causes the cocoa fats to separate and form a layer that coats the palette when it is sipped out of a gourd bowl.

17. Mexican Coke

Although similar to Coca Cola Classic, the formulation is just a little bit different. Although the recipe remains secret, people swear that they can tell the difference.

Maybe it’s just that Mexican coke comes in a glass bottle making the drinking experience just a little more fun. The one big variable is that the version from south of the border is made with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.

In our humble opinion, there is no better pairing with al pastor tacos than an ice-cold Coke in a bottle.

Wrap-Up: Best Drinks in Mexico 

The options for the best drinks in Mexico may not be as diverse as the culinary side of things, but it is pretty close.

From the endless selections of agua frescas to the artisan spirits that are the envy of mixologists around the globe, you are certain to find something to drink that will tickle your fancy.

If you are looking for more than the same old Corona with a lime, then make sure to save this list so no matter where you end up on your trip to Mexico, you will never have to drink a boring beverage.

Now that you have read through this list of the most famous Mexican drinks, which one do you want to try? 

If you are still thirsty, check out our mezcal palenque tour or check out our guide to the must eat and drink in Mexico City.

READ NEXT: Best Foods in Mexico