Cinco de Mayo, celebrated on May 5, is a day to honour Mexican heritage and enjoy the very best that Mexico has to offer – food, friends and exceptional tequila. This year, Código 1530, Mexico’s ultra-premium tequila takes centre stage with three refined cocktails crafted for the occasion. 

Picture yourself stirring up a Cranberry Cosmo, a Drammed Tequila Old Fashioned, or a bold Bloody Maria, each one a little moment of magic in a glass.

Adding her expert touch to the celebration is Tanealé Van der Merwe, Prestige Ambassador at Pernod Ricard. With experience spanning high-end bars, global competitions and molecular mixology, Tanealé brings sophistication and creativity to every cocktail. She has created a signature Cinco de Mayo cocktail that’s stylish and perfect for the occasion called Lekker Fresca.

“I’ve always loved how simple and refreshing Agua fresca is. It’s a traditional Mexican drink that turns fresh fruit into something truly delicious. For my take I’ve used pineapple as the base as we’re lucky to have an abundance of beautiful Queen pineapples here in South Africa; and then added a touch of rooibos giving it a proudly South African flavour just to give it a little extra depth and character.” 

This Cinco de Mayo, here’s how to elevate your celebration with four irresistible cocktails from Código 1530 tequila. Salud!

Código Lekker Fresca

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

2 parts Código 1530, Blanco Tequila

¾ part Blood Orange Syrup

1 part Rooibos 

1 part Lime Juice 

2 part Pineapple Juice 

How To Prepare:

1. Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
2. Fine Strain the mix into your chilled  and Iced glass.
3. Garnish with a Fresh Pineapple Slice with Chili Salt.

Código Cranberry Cosmo

Ingredients: 

Servings: 1  

Prep time: 5 minutes 

2 parts Código 1530 Rosa Tequila 

1 part cranberry juice 

¾ part orange liqueur 

½ part lime juice 

How To Prepare:  

4. Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. 
5. Strain the mix into your chilled glass. 
6. Garnish with an orange twist for traditional sake, or a fresh cran-rosemary spring for a festive touch. 

Código  Drammed Tequila Old Fashioned

Servings: 1  

Prep time: 3 minutes 

Ingredients: 

2 parts Código 1530 Reposado Tequila 

½ part Drambuie 

¼ part rich demerara syrup 

1 dash Orange Bitters 

1 dash Angostura 

1 Luxardo cherry 

2 thin pear slices for garnish 

How To Prepare: 

1. Add Código 1530, demerara syrup, Drambuie, and bitters to an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. 
2. Stir with a bar spoon for about 40 seconds, or until glass becomes noticeably colder. 
3. Garnish with pear slices and Luxardo cherry. 

Código Bloody Maria 

Ingredients: 

Servings: 1 Prep time: 3 minutes 

2 parts Código 1530 Blanco Tequila 

4 parts tomato juice 

½ part lemon juice 

½ teaspoon horseradish 

4 dashes Worcestershire sauce 

2 dashes Tabasco sauce 

1 dash celery salt 

1 dash ground black pepper 

How To Prepare: 

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. 
2. Add Código, tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, and black pepper. 
3. Shake and strain into a highball or flared pint glass over ice. Garnish with celery stick as is tradition and add savory garnishes like olives, peppers for extra flavour.