Batanga Cocktail (Tequila and Coke)
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Simple, refreshing, and full of flavor, la Batanga is a classic Mexican cocktail made with just a few ingredients—tequila, cola, fresh lime juice, and a salted rim. Think of it as Mexico’s laid-back answer to a cuba libre, with the citrus and salt adding brightness and complexity to every fizzy sip.
The Batanga was created in the 1950s by the legendary Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner and bartender of La Capilla, in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. Known for his hospitality and simple, perfectly balanced drinks, Don Javier famously stirred his Batanga with a long, well-worn knife – an iconic detail that became part of the cocktail’s charm and legacy. Over the decades, it became a local staple – a drink deeply tied to the culture and people of its birthplace.
Thanks in large part to social media, the Batanga is enjoying a revival. As cocktail lovers seek out drinks that are rooted in tradition but easy to make at home, the Batanga checks all the boxes. It’s unfussy, uses ingredients you likely already have, and delivers big flavor with minimal effort. As tequila rises in popularity, this classic cocktail is finding a new generation of fans.
Ingredients for a Batanga
- Silver tequila – Choose your favorite tequila blanco for this recipe. It doesn’t need to be anything super expensive since we’re mixing it with a lot of Coke.
- Mexican Coke – While you can certainly use traditional Coca-Cola sold in the U.S., for authenticity I’m going with Mexican Coca-Cola made with real cane sugar and sold in glass bottles.
- Limes – Fresh limes are the only option here. Key lime is a traditional choice, but use what you can find. You’ll need about half a lime per cocktail.
- Coarse salt – The salty rim of this drink is part of the recipe. Choose a coarse ground kosher salt for your cocktail.
How to Make a Batanga (Step by Step)
Run a slice of fresh lime around the rim of a tall glass.
Pour some coarse salt onto a small plate. Dip the rim of your glass into the salt.
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
Add blanco tequila and lime juice to the glass.
Batanga Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz silver tequila
- 4 oz Mexican Coca-Cola
- 0.5 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
- coarse salt, rim
Instructions
- Run a slice of lime around the rim of your glass.
- Pour coarse salt into a small plate. Dip the rim of your glass into the salt.coarse salt
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Add tequila and lime juice to the glass.2 oz silver tequila, 0.5 oz lime juice
- Top with Coke.4 oz Mexican Coca-Cola
- Garnish with a slice of lime or lime wedge.
- Stir gently, sip and enjoy!
Equipment
Happy Hour Snack Pairings
Make it a Mexican-inspired happy hour with these delicious snack recipes. Whip up my easy and creamy refried bean dip or a batch of my restaurant style blender salsa – each recipe comes together in 5 minutes. Have a little more time? Make some avocado corn salsa and serve it with homemade tortilla chips.
Looking for more Tequila Cocktails?
Want to sip more tequila drinks? Try a light and fizzy tequila smash or ranch water, a grapefruit Paloma cocktail, this easy tequila sunrise or everyone’s favorite – the classic margarita.
