Mexican Martini Recipe: How to Make the Authentic Drink

Martinis are popular cocktails made with gin or vodka and vermouth, although the name martini has been co-opted and used for a number of drinks served in martini glasses. Such is the case of the Mexican martini, which isn't a classic martini but rather a martini-style drink that contains tequila and is served in a martini glass. It's kind of a cross between a margarita and a dirty martini, a unique combination of flavors that pairs well with the funky taste of tequila.

Mexican Martini

This is the classic recipe for a Mexican martini. The addition of olive brine and the glass it is served in is what differentiates it from a traditional margarita.

Ingredients

• 1 lime wedge
• Coarse salt
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 barspoon freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1 barspoon olive brine
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• 1½ ounces añejo tequila
• Ice
• Spanish olives and lime wheel for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass and dip the rim in the salt. Set aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, orange juice, olive brine, orange liqueur, and tequila.
3. Add ice and shake to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled martini glass and garnish with the olives and lime wheel.

Mexican Martini Recipe Variations

One of the great things about the Mexican martini is you can easily vary the recipe to make an array of delicious cocktails.

Herbal Mexican Martini

With spicy and herbal flavors, this is a delicious variation for people who love classic Mexican flavor profiles.

Ingredients

• 1 lime wedge
• Coarse salt
• 10 cilantro leaves, plus additional for garnish
• 2 fresh jalapeño slices
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1½ ounces añejo tequila
• Ice

Instructions

1. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass. Dip the rim in the salt and set aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cilantro leaves and jalapeño slices with the simple syrup and lime juice.
3. Add the tequila and ice and shake to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

Spicy Mexican Martini

This spicy version makes a few simple switches for big flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lime wedge
• Coarse salt
• 1 pickled jalapeño slice
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 barspoon freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1 barspoon jalapeño brine
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• 1½ ounces añejo tequila
• Ice
• Fresh jalapeño slice and lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass. Dip the rim in the salt. Set aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño slice, lime juice, orange juice, brine, orange liqueur, and tequila.
3. Add ice and shake to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared martini glass filled with ice and garnish with a jalapeño slice and a lime wheel.

Pink Mexican Martini

This version is a take-off on the popular Mexican cocktail, the paloma.

Ingredients

• 1 lime wedge
• Coarse salt
• ¾ ounce pink grapefruit juice
• 1 barspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 barspoon olive brine
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• 1½ ounces añejo tequila
• Ice
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass and dip the rim in the salt. Set side.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, olive brine, orange liqueur, and tequila.
3. Add ice and shake to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared martini glass and garnish with the lime wheel.

Mezcal Mexican Martini

Of course, you can also use Mexico's other native agave spirit, mezcal, to make a delicious cocktail. Mezcal tends to be smokier and slightly funkier than tequila, so it makes a delicious cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 lime wedge
• Coarse salt
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 barspoon freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1 barspoon jalapeño brine
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• 1½ ounces mezcal
• Ice

Instructions

1. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a chilled martini glass and dip the rim in the salt. Set aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, orange juice, jalapeño brine, orange liqueur, and mezcal.
3. Add ice and shake to chill. Strain into the prepared martini glass.
4. Garnish with the lime wedge.

Mexican Cosmo

No martini menu is complete without the ever-popular cosmopolitan, this time with a mezcal twist.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• 1½ ounces mezcal
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker combine the lime juice, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and mezcal.
2. Add ice and shake to chill.
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Making Mexican Martinis

Whether you prefer the classic, or you wish to add your own interesting ingredients and variations, it's the presence of the popular Mexican agave spirit that makes these martinis. Whether you use mezcal or tequila, you're sure to enjoy these delicious drinks.