Ballsy’s Cocktail of the Week: Filling in the Mexican Way…

As y’all may know, Sharky is out in our nation’s Island State enjoying the sunshine, ocean, and resort drinks. While he’s out there living life right with the Shark Clan, I thought I would step in with a Mexican drink you may or may not have heard of. It’s easily customizable to your taste, which is a plus in my book.

Without further ado, here we go!

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Cantarito

If you have ever been in the state of Jalisco (where tequila is made), you have undoubtedly found a roadside stand selling these. Here is a good example of one famous location and its mass production techniques:

The main ingredients are simple:

• Citrus juice (typically lime and fresh-squeezed)
• Grapefruit juice (typically pink and fresh-squeezed)
• Grapefruit soda (typically Squirt)
• Ice
• Tequila
• Salt (to taste)
• Orange juice (you can make it optional if you want it more tart)

The trick to this drink is the clay container that it’s prepared and served in. The container is called a “cantarito”, hence the name of the cocktail. You can find some at your finest Mexican markets or carnicerías or even Amazon.

You will want to wet and cool the clay container in the fridge about 10 minutes prior to using it as that will enable your drink to stay cool once it’s filled.

The proportions, like I said before, are customizable and every stand makes it a little bit differently. In general, however, the ratios are as follows:

• 2 parts tequila
• 2.5 parts grapefruit soda
• 3/4 parts orange juice
• 3/4 parts grapefruit juice
• 1/4 parts lime juice

You can mix large quantities and pour into prepared (read: rimmed with Tajin) cantaritos or mix it individually. Normally, you add ice to the container, pour the mixture in, and salt the top. How much ice is up to you.

The result is a delicious and refreshing drink that will have you doing quebraditas all night long. It’s not as sweet as the piña colada, but it’s just as drinkable. You can drink these all day and then realize you’re extremely drunk when you get up to pee.

Good times!