The Batanga cocktail brings Mexican cantina culture to life with its mix of tequila, Coca-Cola, and lime juice. This simple drink gets its unique taste from rubbing salt around the rim of the glass and stirring with the same knife used to cut the limes.
The drink was created in the 1960s by Don Javier Delgado Corona at La Capilla bar in Tequila, Mexico. His small cantina became famous for this refreshing blend that locals and tourists still enjoy today.
The salt and citrus notes blend perfectly with the sweet cola and smooth tequila. The knife-stirring method adds subtle metallic notes that set it apart from other tequila-based drinks.
Batanga Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Highball glass or tall Collins glass
- Lime wedge
- Small plate for salt
- Cocktail jigger or measuring tool
- Long spoon or bar spoon
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Mexican Coca-Cola to fill
- Coarse salt for rimming
- Lime wedge for garnish
Optional: Additional lime wedges for extra citrus
Instructions
- Rim a highball glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it in coarse salt on a small plate.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 2 ounces of tequila into the glass.
- Add 1 ounce of fresh lime juice.
- Fill the rest of the glass with Mexican Coca-Cola.
- Stir gently with a long spoon to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
The Batanga cocktail offers a bright blend of citrus and earthy notes. Fresh lime juice adds a zesty tang that cuts through the cola’s sweetness. The tequila’s agave character shines through clearly.
Cola brings familiar caramel and spice notes while mellowing the tequila’s bite. The salted rim provides a savory contrast that enhances both the citrus and sweet elements.
The drink’s texture is light and refreshing. Bubbles from the cola create a pleasant effervescence that lifts the flavors. The ice dilution helps marry the components together.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Citrus (lime)
- Caramel (cola)
- Agave (tequila)
- Salt
- Light spice
The finish is clean with lingering notes of lime and salt. This cocktail works well in warm weather and pairs nicely with Mexican food, especially spicy dishes.
Substitute
The classic Batanga cocktail needs Cola and tequila. When Cola is not available, other dark sodas work well.
Root beer gives a sweet and spicy twist, while Dr Pepper adds 23 unique flavors to the mix.
No tequila? Mexican spirits make good replacements. Mezcal brings a smoky taste, while sotol offers earthy notes.
White rum creates a Cuba Libre-style drink with similar refreshing qualities.
The lime juice stays the same in most versions. Fresh lime works best, but bottled lime juice can work in a pinch.
Salt for the rim is optional. Regular table salt works fine if kosher salt is not handy.
Some people prefer a chili-salt mix or Tajin for extra kick.
Best Substitutes:
- For Cola: Root beer, Dr Pepper
- For Tequila: Mezcal, sotol, white rum
- For Fresh Lime: Bottled lime juice
- For Kosher Salt: Table salt, Tajin
The glass type is flexible too. A Collins glass makes a good stand-in for the traditional tall glass.
Any tall glass that holds 12-16 ounces will do the job.
