Mexican Firing Squad Cocktail Recipe

What's in a Mexican Firing Squad Cocktail?

This cocktail keeps it simple with bold tequila, fresh lime, sweet grenadine, and a few dashes of bitters. Each ingredient brings its own character and helps create that perfect balance of tart, sweet, and spice.

Tequila

We start with a good tequila. Blanco works great for a clean, crisp flavor, but reposado adds a smooth touch if you prefer something a bit softer.

Lime Juice

Fresh lime juice gives the drink its refreshing tartness. It cuts through the richness and helps balance the sweetness.

Grenadine

Grenadine adds that deep red color and fruity sweetness. Go for one made with real pomegranate or make your own for a better flavor.

You might also like: 17 Best Grenadine Cocktails to Try | Homemade Grenadine Syrup Recipe

Angostura Bitters

Bitters bring it all together with a warm spice that makes the drink stand out. Just a few dashes make a big difference.

Related: Aromatic Bitters vs Orange Bitters

How to Make the Mexican Firing Squad Cocktail

Let’s make a bold and refreshing tequila cocktail together. The Mexican Firing Squad is all about balancing tart lime, sweet grenadine, and a touch of spice from the bitters.

Start by grabbing your cocktail shaker and filling it with ice. This helps chill everything down while we mix.

Now pour in your blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, grenadine, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. These ingredients come together to create something bright, flavorful, and just a little bit spicy.

Pop the lid on your shaker and give it a good shake until the drink feels nice and cold.

Grab a rocks glass and fill it with fresh ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass so it's smooth and chilled.

To finish, add a lime wheel on the rim. It’s a simple touch but adds a little extra aroma and color.

That’s it. It’s easy to make, but the flavors are layered and bold. We love how the grenadine softens the tartness of the lime, while the bitters round everything out.

You’ll find the full recipe and measurements in the card below. Feel free to tweak the grenadine if you like it more or less sweet.

Mexican Firing Squad Recipe Variations

The classic Mexican Firing Squad cocktail is a fantastic tequila drink with lime juice, grenadine, and bitters. But why stop at the classic when you can mix things up?

We love trying new twists on this zesty cocktail. Here are some fun variations to shake up your next happy hour!

Highball Firing Squad

Add club soda to the classic recipe for a lighter, more bubbly drink. Perfect for hot summer days when you want something tall and refreshing.

Smoky Firing Squad

Switch out regular tequila for mezcal to create a complex, smoky version. The earthy mezcal pairs beautifully with the sweet grenadine and tart lime.

Spicy Firing Squad

Muddle a slice of jalapeño in your shaker before adding other ingredients. The heat brings an exciting kick that complements the sweetness of the grenadine.

Bourbon Firing Squad

Replace tequila with bourbon for a whiskey-based twist. This variation offers warm caramel notes that work surprisingly well with lime and grenadine.

Fruity Firing Squad

Try using a pomegranate-based grenadine or adding a splash of blood orange juice. The extra fruit flavors add depth and color to this vibrant drink.

Have you tried any of these variations? We'd love to hear which one became your new favorite!

More Tequila Cocktails to Try

If you're in the mood to explore more tequila drinks, we've got a few favorites that are always worth mixing up. Each one offers a different take on this versatile spirit.

• Tequila Sour
• El Diablo
• Tequila Sunrise
• Tequila Lemon Drop
• Añejo Tequila Old Fashioned
• Aperol Tequila Spritz
• Classic Paloma

Try a few and see which one becomes your next go-to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Mexican Firing Squad drink come from?

The Mexican Firing Squad cocktail first appeared in 1937, discovered by Charles H. Baker. He found this drink at La Cucaracha Cocktail Club in Mexico City during his travels. Baker later included the recipe in his 1939 book "The Gentleman's Companion: Around the World with Jigger, Beaker, and Flask." This drink stands as one of the earliest tequila cocktails documented in the English-speaking world.

What's the origin of the name "Mexican Firing Squad" for this cocktail?

The exact naming story remains a mystery, but we have several theories. Some believe it references Mexico's revolutionary history with actual firing squads. Others think Baker named it for how the bold flavors hit you all at once. The drink's striking red color from grenadine might also suggest the visual impact of a firing squad. Baker may have joked about feeling like he faced a firing squad after having too many!

What does a Mexican Firing Squad cocktail taste like?

The Mexican Firing Squad offers a perfect balance of bright and complex flavors. Fresh lime juice gives it a zesty, citrusy punch that wakes up your taste buds. The grenadine adds just enough sweetness with hints of pomegranate to soften the lime's edge. Angostura bitters bring warm spice notes that make the drink more interesting than a basic sour.

The tequila base shines through with its earthy, slightly peppery character. Overall, this creates a refreshing yet sophisticated drink that's tart, subtly sweet, and layered with flavor.

How strong is a Mexican Firing Squad cocktail?

The Mexican Firing Squad falls in the moderate strength range at about 20-25% ABV. This puts it on par with other tequila favorites like margaritas and palomas. Some modern versions include soda water, which lowers the alcohol content a bit.

We find it packs less punch than an Old Fashioned but still delivers a proper cocktail kick. The lime and grenadine help balance the tequila, making it dangerously easy to drink!

How many calories are in a Mexican Firing Squad cocktail?

A typical Mexican Firing Squad contains about 150-180 calories total. The 2 ounces of tequila contribute roughly 130 calories to the drink. Lime juice adds minimal calories, around 5-10 per serving.

The grenadine contributes most of the remaining calories, about 60-80 depending on the brand. The few dashes of bitters add negligible calories to the total. For a lighter version, we suggest using less grenadine or making your own with less sugar.

Mexican Firing Squad Recipe

The Mexican Firing Squad is one of those tequila cocktails we keep coming back to. It’s bold, a little spicy, a little sweet, and just tart enough to keep things interesting. This drink has roots going back to 1930s Mexico, and we love how simple it is to make while still delivering big flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 1

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Hawthorne Strainer
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Rocks glass

Ingredients

  

• 2 oz tequila blanco or reposado
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• ¾ oz grenadine
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• Lime wheel for garnish (optional)
• Ice

Instructions

 

• Fill a rocks glass with ice so it starts to chill while you mix.
• In your shaker, combine tequila, fresh lime juice, grenadine, and a few dashes of bitters.
• Add ice, seal the shaker, and shake it well. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside feels cold.
• Dump the ice from your glass, add fresh ice, and strain the cocktail in.
• Add a lime wheel if you want a little extra aroma and a pop of color.

Notes

• For a fun twist, try adding a salt rim to half the glass. It gives a nice contrast to the sweetness.
• Feel free to adjust the lime or grenadine a little to match your taste. We like it balanced, but there’s room to play.

This drink might be simple, but there’s a lot you can do to make it your own. We’re big fans of finding that sweet spot between bold and refreshing, and the Mexican Firing Squad does exactly that.

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