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Mexican Firing Squad
Method
Shaken
Glassware
Rocks glass
Ice
Cubed ice
Time
3 min

Mexican Firing Squad

Historic classicTequilaMexican cocktailsEasyEditorial draft

A ruby tequila sour with pomegranate and bitters. It is one of the oldest tequila drinks recorded in a cocktail book.

Ingredients

1 × servings
  • 60 mlBlanco tequila
  • 22.5 mlLime juice
  • 15 mlGrenadine
  • 2 dashesAngostura bitters
  • top (30 ml)Soda water(optional)
  • 1 pieceLime wheel

Volume before dilution: 97.5 ml

Step by step

  1. 1

    Shake the tequila, lime, grenadine and bitters with ice.

  2. 2

    Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.

  3. 3

    Top with a splash of soda if you like and garnish with lime.

GarnishLime wheel

Flavor profile

Sweetness
Acidity
Bitterness
Body
Aroma
PomegranateAgaveSpice

Story

Charles H. Baker Jr. recorded it in 'The South American Gentleman's Companion' (1951), crediting the La Cucaracha bar in Mexico City, which he visited in the 1930s.

Technical notes

Homemade grenadine with real pomegranate brings acidity and deep color; commercial versions only add sweetness. Bitters add structure and spice.

Serving

Before dinner or with antojitos.

Origin

Attributed · 1930s (publicado en 1951 / published 1951) · La Cucaracha, Mexico City

Attributed to La Cucaracha bar by Charles H. Baker Jr. in his 1951 book.

Variations

  • Servido en copa

    No soda, strained into a chilled coupe.

Substitutions

  • Reposado tequila for a rounder profile.

Pairings

  • Chiles en nogada (in season)
  • Tacos de canasta

Techniques

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Sources

  • The South American Gentleman's Companion by Charles H. Baker Jr. (1951)
  • Difford's Guide

Version 1 · Updated October 20, 2026