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Cocktail History
The Mexican Firing Squad is a classic cocktail that was first published in Charles H. Baker Jr.’s second volume of The Gentleman’s Companion, which centered around exotic drinks he experienced while traveling the world. According to the book, it was created during Prohibition at La Cucaracha Bar in Mexico City, Mexico and was a favorite of many thirsty Americans visiting the country at the time. The recipe is traditionally made with tequila, lime, grenadine, and aromatic bitters, but this variation adds some heat by splitting the base with a pineapple jalapeño-flavored tequila.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila: This is a type of tequila made with pineapple, jalapeño pepper, unaged agave, and water. We used Dulce Vida Spirits Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila because it offers delicious fruit flavor with a nice bite from the pepper. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit infused with pineapple and jalapeño in place of the tequila.
Tequila Blanco: This is a spirit made with unaged agave and water. We used El Jimador Tequila Silver because it has a light and palatable agave flavor with notes of grapefruit and apple. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.
Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Angostura Aromatic Bitters. For a mocktail version of this drink, try All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
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Tasting Notes
The Mexican Firing Squad starts with inviting scents of jalapeño and grenadine, features the sweet taste of pineapple initially, and finishes with a dryness from the bitters and pomegranate.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both really liked this drink. Kendall may have even promptly declared our tasting wrapped after a few sips of the Mexican Firing Squad so she didn’t have to focus on anything but drinking more of them the rest of the night. And we both thought this sweet and spicy agave cocktail is a great alternative to the Classic Margaritas we usually enjoy for Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-08.
Mexican Firing Squad
The Mexican Firing Squad is a classic cocktail that was first published in Charles H. Baker Jr.’s second volume of The Gentleman’s Companion, which centered around exotic drinks he experienced while traveling the world. According to the book, it was created during Prohibition at La Cucaracha Bar in Mexico City, Mexico and was a favorite of many thirsty Americans visiting the country at the time. The recipe is traditionally made with tequila, lime, grenadine, and aromatic bitters, but this variation adds some heat by splitting the base with a pineapple jalapeño-flavored tequila.
Ingredients
Method
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Add pineapple jalapeño tequila, blanco tequila, lime juice, grenadine, bitters, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cracked ice.
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Garnish with lime slice.
