A Guide to Mexican Drinks: From Horchata to Mezcal in the UK

A Complete Guide to Mexican Drinks in the UK: From Horchata to Mezcal

Mexican drinks culture is as rich and diverse as its food - spanning ancient pre-Hispanic beverages like chocolate and pulque, refreshing aguas frescas, world-class spirits like tequila and mezcal, and unique beer cocktails that have become global phenomena. Yet in the UK, most people's experience of Mexican drinks begins and ends with a margarita. This guide explores the full spectrum of Mexican beverages, how to make them at home with UK-available ingredients, and where to find the best Mexican drinks across Britain.

Non-Alcoholic Mexican Drinks

Horchata

Horchata is a creamy, sweet, cinnamon-scented rice milk drink that's served ice-cold across Mexico. It's one of the most beloved Mexican beverages and utterly refreshing on a warm day. The flavour is gentle, subtly sweet, and deeply comforting - imagine liquid rice pudding served cold.

UK recipe: Soak 200g long-grain rice and 1 cinnamon stick (Ceylon if possible) in 500ml water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Blend until smooth. Add another 500ml water, 100g caster sugar (or condensed milk for extra richness), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend again, then strain through a fine sieve or muslin cloth into a jug. Chill thoroughly. Serve over ice with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. All ingredients are available from any UK supermarket for under £3. Makes about 1 litre, serving 4-6. Horchata keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days; shake before serving as it settles naturally.

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea)

A gorgeous ruby-red iced tea made from dried hibiscus flowers - tangy, floral, and beautifully refreshing. It's served at almost every taqueria and family gathering in Mexico.

UK recipe: Bring 1 litre of water to the boil. Add 50g dried hibiscus flowers (available from health food shops like Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods, MexGrocer, or Amazon UK for about £3-5 per 100g), remove from heat, and steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain, add 75-100g sugar (adjust to taste) and the juice of 1 lime. Cool and refrigerate. Serve over ice with a lime slice. The colour is stunning - deep crimson-red - making it a beautiful addition to any dinner table or party.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Mexican hot chocolate predates European hot chocolate by centuries - the Aztecs drank xocolatl, a bitter, spiced chocolate drink, as a sacred ceremonial beverage. Modern Mexican hot chocolate is sweeter and spicier.

UK recipe: Heat 500ml whole milk in a saucepan with 1 cinnamon stick. When it begins to steam, add 100g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa, broken into pieces), 1 tablespoon sugar, a pinch of chilli powder (cayenne or ancho), and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously as the chocolate melts until frothy. Traditionally this is done with a molinillo (a carved wooden whisk twirled between the palms), but a regular whisk or milk frother works well. Serve in mugs with a cinnamon stick. For an authentic experience, use Abuelita or Ibarra brand Mexican chocolate tablets, available from MexGrocer and Amazon UK for about £3-5.

Agua Fresca

Literally "fresh water," aguas frescas are light, refreshing fruit drinks made by blending fresh fruit with water and sugar. They're the Mexican answer to a hot day and infinitely more interesting than squash.

Popular flavours to make in the UK:

• Watermelon (sandía): Blend 500g watermelon chunks with 300ml cold water, juice of 1 lime, and sugar to taste. Strain and serve over ice.
• Mango: Blend 2 ripe mangoes with 400ml water, lime juice, and sugar. Strain.
• Cucumber-lime: Blend 1 large cucumber (peeled) with 400ml water, juice of 2 limes, and sugar. Strain. Incredibly refreshing.
• Strawberry: Blend 400g strawberries with 400ml water and sugar. Strain.

Tequila

Understanding Tequila

Tequila is made from blue agave plants grown in designated regions of Mexico, primarily the state of Jalisco. It's a protected denomination of origin, much like Champagne - genuine tequila can only be produced in certain Mexican states. The most important thing for UK buyers: always buy 100% agave tequila. The bottle must say "100% de agave" on the label. Cheaper "mixto" tequila (which only needs to be 51% agave, with the rest being neutral spirit and sugar) is what gives tequila its bad reputation for hangovers and harsh flavour.

Tequila Categories

• Blanco (Silver): Unaged or aged less than 2 months. Clear, bright agave flavour. Best for margaritas and cocktails. UK recommendations: Patrón Silver (£35-40), Olmeca Altos Plata (£22-25), El Jimador Blanco (£18-22). All available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and major off-licences.
• Reposado: Aged 2-12 months in oak barrels. Golden colour, smoother, with vanilla and caramel notes. Good for sipping or premium cocktails. Try: Patrón Reposado (£40-45), Herradura Reposado (£30-35).
• Añejo: Aged 1-3 years. Deep amber, complex, smooth. Sip neat like a fine whisky. Try: Don Julio Añejo (£45-55), Patrón Añejo (£50-60).
• Extra Añejo: Aged over 3 years. Rich, complex, and expensive. For special occasions only.

Mezcal

Mezcal vs Tequila

All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Mezcal is the broader category of agave spirits, produced from over 30 varieties of agave (not just blue agave). The distinctive smoky flavour comes from roasting the agave hearts (piñas) in underground pit ovens - a process that creates a spirit with extraordinary complexity.

Mezcal has exploded in popularity in the UK over the past five years. Premium mezcals available in Britain include Del Maguey Vida (£28-35, an excellent introduction), Montelobos (£30-35), and Illegal Mezcal (£35-40). Specialist bars in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other cities now offer extensive mezcal selections.

Classic Mexican Cocktails

Margarita

The world's most popular tequila cocktail. For an authentic version: shake 50ml blanco tequila, 25ml fresh lime juice (never bottled), 20ml Cointreau or triple sec, and 10ml agave syrup (available at Tesco, Waitrose, and Holland & Barrett) with ice. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass (rub the rim with lime, then dip in flaky salt). Serve with a lime wheel.

Paloma

Mexico's most popular cocktail - more widely drunk than the margarita in Mexico itself. Mix 50ml blanco tequila with 100ml grapefruit soda (San Pellegrino Pompelmo, available at most UK supermarkets), the juice of half a lime, and a pinch of salt. Serve over ice in a salt-rimmed highball glass. Simple, refreshing, and utterly delicious.

Michelada

A Mexican beer cocktail: mix 25ml fresh lime juice, a dash of hot sauce (Valentina or Cholula - available from MexGrocer and Amazon UK), a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt in a glass rimmed with chilli and salt. Top with a cold Mexican lager (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico - all available in UK supermarkets). It's essentially a Mexican Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka. An acquired taste but addictively refreshing.

Mezcal Negroni

A modern classic that showcases mezcal's smoky complexity. Stir 30ml mezcal, 30ml sweet vermouth, and 30ml Campari with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel. The smoky mezcal adds a fascinating dimension to the classic Negroni formula.

Where to Drink Mexican in the UK

Many of the Mexican restaurants listed in our directory have excellent drinks programmes. In London, bars like Hacha (mezcal specialists in Dalston), Quetzalcoatl (tequila and mezcal bar), and the bars at El Pastor and Santo Remedio offer world-class Mexican cocktails. In Manchester, Edinburgh, and other cities, the Mexican restaurant scene increasingly includes serious agave spirits selections.

Whether you're mixing margaritas for a party, sipping mezcal by the fire, or making refreshing horchata for a summer afternoon, Mexican drinks culture has something for every occasion and every palate. Explore our recipe collection for food to pair with your drinks.

Where to Buy Mexican Spirits and Drinks Ingredients in the UK

The UK market for tequila and mezcal has expanded significantly. Major supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons) all stock at least 3-5 tequila brands, with Waitrose having the most premium selection. For mezcal, Waitrose and specialist off-licences like The Whisky Exchange (online and London stores), Master of Malt (online), and Amathus Drinks (London) offer extensive ranges. Amazon UK stocks a growing selection of both tequila and mezcal. For cocktail ingredients, lime juice must be fresh (never use bottled), agave syrup is available from Tesco, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, and Amazon, and Cointreau or triple sec is available everywhere. Dried hibiscus flowers for agua de jamaica are found at Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods, and health food shops, as well as online from MexGrocer. Mexican soft drinks like Jarritos (in various fruit flavours) are available from MexGrocer and occasionally in UK supermarkets' world foods sections.

Responsible Drinking and Mexican Drinking Culture

In Mexico, drinking culture traditionally emphasises sharing, sociability, and appreciation rather than consumption for its own sake. Tequila and mezcal are meant to be sipped and savoured, not taken as shots. The widespread British habit of doing tequila shots with salt and lemon actually masks the flavour of a good tequila - an approach that would bemuse most Mexicans. When serving Mexican spirits at gatherings, encourage your guests to sip rather than shoot, and provide food alongside drinks. In Mexico, drinks almost always accompany food - drinking without eating is unusual. This philosophy naturally moderates consumption while enhancing enjoyment. A margarita paired with tacos, a cold beer with birria, or a sip of mezcal alongside mole - these combinations elevate both the food and the drink into something greater than the sum of their parts.