Cantaritos Añejo

Cantaritos Añejo

The cantarito is Jalisco's signature summer cocktail, a citrus-loaded tequila cooler traditionally served in a little clay cup called a cantarito. That unglazed clay does more than look the part: it keeps the drink cold and lends a faint earthy note you cannot get from glass. Fresh orange, lime, and lemon pile onto a base of SWOL Añejo, all lifted by a splash of grapefruit soda and a pinch of salt. It is bright, fizzy, and endlessly drinkable. This version leans on añejo's oak and vanilla to give the citrus something deeper to sit against.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 oz SWOL Añejo Tequila (blanco or reposado also work; añejo adds oak and depth)
  • 1 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 4 oz grapefruit soda (Jarritos, Squirt, or Fever-Tree)
  • 1 pinch salt (to enhance the citrus)
  • Garnish: lemon and grapefruit wedges
  • A clay cantarito cup, or a highball glass, plus ice
HOW TO PREPARE
  1. Soak the clay cantarito cup in water for about 10 minutes to chill it, or use a highball glass with ice.
  2. Add SWOL Añejo, orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice to the cup.
  3. Add a pinch of salt and stir.
  4. Top with grapefruit soda.
  5. Garnish with lemon and grapefruit wedges and serve over ice.
Style of Glass to use
  • Highball Glass
Garnishes

Lemon, Grapefruit

What is a cantarito and where is it from

Cantaritos come from Jalisco, the Mexican state that is home to tequila itself. The name refers to the clay cup they are traditionally served in. Street vendors and the famous Cantaritos El Guero near Tequila town helped make the drink iconic. The clay keeps the cocktail cold and adds a subtle mineral, earthy character.

Cantarito vs Paloma

Both use tequila and grapefruit soda, but a Paloma is just grapefruit soda and lime, while a cantarito piles on orange, lemon, and lime for a fuller, juicier citrus profile and is served in clay. If you want more fruit and ritual, make the cantarito; if you want a simple two-ingredient highball, make the Paloma.

Best grapefruit soda and how to batch

Jarritos and Squirt are the traditional choices; Fever-Tree is a drier, less sweet option. To batch for a party, multiply the tequila and juices in a pitcher, keep the soda separate, and top each cup at serving so the fizz stays lively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cantarito?

A Jalisco tequila cocktail of citrus and grapefruit soda served in a clay cup.

What is the difference between a cantarito and a Paloma?

A cantarito adds orange and lemon to the grapefruit-and-lime base and is served in clay; a Paloma is simpler.

Do I need a clay cup?

No, a highball glass works, but the clay cantarito keeps it cold and adds an earthy note.

What grapefruit soda is best?

Jarritos or Squirt traditionally; Fever-Tree for a drier drink.

What tequila should I use?

SWOL Añejo for depth, or blanco or reposado for a lighter version.

Why add salt?

A pinch balances the citrus and rounds out the flavors.

Can I make cantaritos for a crowd?

Yes, batch the tequila and juices and top each cup with soda at serving.

Cantaritos Añejo TIPS

Chill & Salt for Brightness

Soaking traditional clay Cantaritos cups in cold water before use not only chills your drink longer but adds a subtle earthy aroma that enhances the tequila’s character. For a flavor boost, add a pinch of smoked sea salt instead of regular salt — it deepens the citrus notes and balances the sweetness of the grapefruit soda. Garnish with a mix of citrus wedges (orange, lime, lemon) for an extra fresh pop.

MADE WITH

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release (750Ml)

750 ML

$89.99

$109.99

Sale

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release is an extremely limited edition; a special release of just 10,000 bottles. Each hand-numbered bottle has a peel-off iron patch which is designed by Los Angeles-based artist Rise Work.

Combining ancient and modern techniques and a deep love and passion for Authentic Tequila, SWOL Tequila comes from Mexico. When two friends journeyed to Mexico...

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