What to Drink in Mexico: 26 Must-Try Drinks & Local Guide to them
If you’re wondering what to drink in Mexico, you’re not alone. While tequila often gets all the attention, Mexico’s drink culture is far more diverse, deeply rooted in history, and shaped by local ingredients.
After living in Mexico for several years and travelling extensively through regions like the Yucatán, Oaxaca, and Jalisco, I discovered that drinks here are not just refreshments they are part of daily life, tradition, and identity. From ancient Mayan corn-based drinks to fresh fruit beverages sold on every street corner, Mexico offers one of the most unique drinking cultures in the world.
This guide covers exactly what to drink in Mexico, including traditional beverages, non-alcoholic favourites, and iconic cocktails you’ll find across the country.
- What to Drink in Mexico: 26 Must-Try Drinks & Local Guide to them
What to Drink in Mexico
If you want a quick answer to what to drink in Mexico, start with aguas frescas, horchata, tequila, mezcal, micheladas, and a classic paloma. These drinks are widely available, locally loved, and represent the best of Mexican flavours.
In Mexico, drinks are often called bebidas or refrescos, and staying refreshed especially in the heat is taken seriously. Whether you’re eating street tacos or dining in a restaurant, there’s always a perfect drink pairing.
Why Mexican Drinks Are Unique
One of the first things I noticed living in Mexico was how different drinks taste compared to North America or Europe. Even something as simple as soda feels less artificial.
That’s largely because many Mexican drinks still use traditional ingredients. Soft drinks are often made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, while traditional beverages rely on corn, cacao, fruit, flowers, and natural sweeteners like piloncillo.
More importantly, drinks in Mexico are tied to culture. In small towns and markets, you’ll find recipes that date back hundreds of years, still prepared the same way today.
My Experience Drinking My Way across Mexico
Spending years in living in Mexico gave me a completely different perspective on what to drink here. In the Yucatán, I would regularly stop at roadside stands where large glass jars were filled with fresh aguas frescas and homemade tepache, sold for just a few pesos. In Oaxaca, I learned from local producers that mezcal is meant to be sipped slowly and appreciated, not rushed. In markets like Mercado Lucas de Galvaz across the country, I was introduced to drinks like atole and pozole-based beverages that most tourists never try.
These firsthand experiences shape this guide. Everything here reflects what locals actually drink not just what’s marketed to visitors.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
If you’re asking what to drink in Mexico during the day or in the heat, non-alcoholic options are some of the best in the world.
Aguas Frescas
Aguas frescas are the most common and refreshing drinks in Mexico. Made from fruit, flowers, seeds, or grains blended with water and lightly sweetened, they are sold everywhere from street food stalls to restaurants.
Flavours vary by region, but you’ll commonly find hibiscus (Agua de Jamaica), tamarind, watermelon, pineapple, and horchata. They are light, hydrating, and perfect with spicy food.
Horchata
Horchata is one of the most popular traditional drinks in Mexico. Made from rice, cinnamon, and sugar, it has a creamy texture despite being dairy-free. It’s especially good alongside spicy dishes, as it helps balance heat.
Agua de Jamaica
This deep red drink made from hibiscus flowers is slightly tart, refreshing, and widely available. It’s one of the most common aguas frescas and something you’ll see in almost every market.
Jugos and Licuados
Fresh fruit plays a big role in Mexican drinks. Jugos are simple fresh juices, while licuados are blended drinks made with fruit and milk. Both are popular breakfast or mid-day options, especially in local markets.
Jarritos and Mexican Sodas
Mexican sodas, known as refrescos, taste noticeably different due to the use of cane sugar. Jarritos is the most iconic brand, offering flavours like mango, tamarind, and guava. You’ll find these served everywhere, often ice-cold and perfect with street food.
Raspados, Chamoyadas, and Batidos
For something more indulgent, raspados are shaved ice treats topped with fruit syrup, while chamoyadas add a spicy twist with chili and lime. Batidos are fruit-based milk drinks similar to light milkshakes.
Traditional Hot Drinks in Mexico
Café de Olla
Café de olla is traditional Mexican coffee brewed in a clay pot with cinnamon and piloncillo. It has a warm, slightly spiced flavour that reflects Mexico’s coffee-growing heritage.
Atole
Atole is one of the oldest drinks in Mexico, dating back to pre-Hispanic times. Made from corn masa and water, it’s thick, warming, and still widely consumed, especially in the mornings.
Mexican Hot Chocolate and Champurrado
Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate, and its hot chocolate is rich, slightly spiced, and traditionally frothed by hand. Champurrado is a thicker version made with corn masa, creating a comforting, filling drink.
Ponche Navideño
This traditional fruit punch is served during Christmas and made with ingredients like guava, apple, tamarind, and cinnamon. It’s warm, sweet, and deeply tied to seasonal celebrations.
Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
If you’re exploring what to drink in Mexico at night or with meals, the country offers a wide range of traditional and modern alcoholic beverages.
Tequila
Tequila is Mexico’s most famous drink, made from blue agave and primarily produced in Jalisco. Despite its global reputation as a party shot, quality tequila is meant to be sipped slowly. There are different types depending on aging, including blanco, reposado, and añejo, each offering a different flavour profile.
Mezcal
Mezcal is often described as tequila’s smokier cousin, but it’s far more complex. Made from various agave plants and traditionally produced in Oaxaca, mezcal varies widely in flavour depending on the region and method. Drinking mezcal is as much about the experience as the taste.
Paloma
The paloma is one of the most popular cocktails in Mexico, made with tequila and grapefruit soda. In my experience, it’s actually more commonly ordered by locals than margaritas.
Margarita
The margarita remains one of the most famous Mexican cocktails worldwide. When made properly with fresh lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur, it’s simple and refreshing.
Michelada and Chelada
Micheladas are savoury beer cocktails made with lime, spices, and sometimes tomato juice. Cheladas are a simpler version with just beer, lime, and salt. Both are incredibly popular, especially in hot weather.
Pulque
Pulque is an ancient fermented drink made from agave sap. It has a slightly sour taste and a thick texture, and it has been consumed in Mexico since pre-Columbian times.
Tepache
Tepache is a lightly fermented pineapple drink that is slightly sweet and fizzy. It’s commonly found at street stalls and is one of the most refreshing traditional drinks you can try.
Other Notable Mexican Drinks
Mexico also produces unique regional drinks like raicilla, a lesser-known agave spirit, and xtabentún, a honey-based liqueur from the Yucatán. Coffee-based drinks like carajillo and liqueurs such as Kahlúa also reflect Mexico’s diverse beverage culture.
Frequently Asked Questions: What to Drink in Mexico
What is the most popular drink in Mexico?
While tequila is the most famous, everyday drinks like aguas frescas and beer are more widely consumed across the country.
What is a traditional Mexican drink?
Atole, horchata, and pulque are among the oldest and most traditional drinks in Mexico.
What should I drink with tacos in Mexico?
Aguas frescas, micheladas, or a cold Mexican soda are all excellent choices depending on your preference.
Is tequila meant to be shot?
No. High-quality tequila should be sipped slowly to appreciate its flavour.
What to Drink in Mexico
Understanding what to drink in Mexico goes far beyond ordering a margarita. The country’s drinks reflect its history, climate, and regional diversity.
After years of living and travelling in Mexico, I’ve found that some of the best drinks aren’t in bars they’re in markets, on street corners, and in small local shops. Whether it’s a freshly made agua fresca on a hot afternoon or a carefully poured mezcal in Oaxaca, each drink offers a deeper connection to Mexican culture.
If you want to truly experience Mexico, start with what’s in your glass.
Discover the charm of Campeche, where colorful colonial streets meet rich history and coastal beauty it’s a hidden gem that perfectly blends culture, relaxation, and unforgettable views. In Oaxaca, every bite tells a story, from rich moles to iconic tlayudas that define Mexico’s culinary soul. Explore Mérida’s vibrant plazas, cenotes, and nearby Mayan ruins, and dive into the mystical world of Mexico’s aluxes—playful guardian spirits of the jungle. And if you visit during Día de los Muertos, you’ll experience one of the country’s most meaningful and visually stunning traditions.
If you love food and travel here are some of my best foodie articles to read:
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