Turn up the heat this winter with an easy Mexican Firing Squad recipe! With Tequila, lime juice, Grenadine, and Angostura bitters, it's the perfect cocktail for frosty nights.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
214
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz grenadine
- 4 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters
- Ice cubes
- Lime wheel - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a highball glass with a generous amount of ice cubes.
- Pour Bitters: Pour 4 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters into the shaker.
- Add Grenadine: Add ¾ oz grenadine.
- Add Lime Juice: Measure and pour 1 oz fresh lime juice into the shaker.
- Add Tequila: Finally, pour 2 oz Tequila into the shaker as well.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice, close it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the ice-filled highball glass.
- Garnish: Place a lime wheel on the rim of the glass for garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Tequila: If you're out of Tequila, use mezcal for a smokier flavor profile. I've also tried white rum in a pinch, which gives the drink a lighter, more tropical feel.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Bottled lime juice can work if fresh limes aren't available, but it will have a different zing than fresh-squeezed.
- Grenadine: If you don't have Grenadine on hand, a simple syrup infused with pomegranate juice can be used as a substitute.
Making a Pitcher of Mexican Firing Squad:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Tequila, 8 oz of fresh lime juice, and 6 oz of Grenadine.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Tequila, lime juice, Grenadine, and bitters. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a lime wheel, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Tequila's flavor.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular Tequila, ditch the bitters and follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Check Your Ingredients: Most of the ingredients in this cocktail are naturally vegan. However, some brands of Grenadine may contain animal products. Check the label or make your vegan Grenadine at home using pomegranate juice and sugar.
What is a Mexican Firing Squad?
A Mexican Firing Squad is a tequila-based cocktail made of lime juice, grenadine, and Angostura bitters. Despite its complex flavor profile, it’s relatively easy to make as it involves simply combining the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shaking until well mixed. It isn’t directly derived from any other well-known cocktails but stands out due to its unique combination of sweet Grenadine and bitter angostura that complements the robustness of Tequila. An exciting aspect of this drink is its intriguing name, which adds an element of mystery and allure to it.
What is a Mexican Firing Squad made of – The ingredients
Gather the following ingredients to create a Mexican Firing Squad:
- Tequila: This is the cocktail’s base spirit, providing a strong, robust flavor.
- Lime Juice: Adds a tangy citrus note to balance out the sweetness and strength of the other ingredients.
- Grenadine: A sweet, red syrup that gives the drink its distinctive color and a hint of fruitiness.
- Angostura Bitters: These add complexity and depth to the cocktail with their unique blend of herbs and spices.
