Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over those pushy French (colonialists, so rude) in 1862. With that in mind, our resident Tequila champ Laura Foster has picked her favourite Tequila bars in London: it’s incredibly important that you read this and have a tipple, in the name of history.
Cafe Pacifico, Covent Garden
The best seats in this Mexican restaurant (that’s been open for almost 30 years) are along the wide wooden bar, where you can sit and sample your way through the extensive range of Tequilas. Remember: sip, don’t shoot!
Casita, Old Street
My favourite bar in London, this tiny little joint isn’t the grandest spot to drink, but it certainly has the warmest welcome from staff and customers alike. Their Tequila con Verdita, a shot of Tequila served with a shot of refreshing green juice on the side (see recipe below to try it at home), is a rite of passage for any new visitors.
El Nivel, Covent Garden
The grown-up sister to Café Pacifico, this bright and breezy first-floor bar specialises in all spirits made from the agave plant, covering Tequila and mezcal, as well as the lesser-known raicilla and bacanora. Try their ‘oscura tentacion’, a dark chocolate mousse, paired with Herradura Reposado.
El Patrón, Putney
A relatively new venue in Putney, head downstairs to a kitsch cavern of fun times, where stick-on moustaches and Mexican props reign supreme.
The Pink Chihuahua at El Camion, Soho
This late-night den of iniquity has played host to some of my favourite nights out in London. Go for the Sangrita – a red, spicy juice – alongside those Tequila shots. Always the best option when you’re looking for a party until 3am.
Don’t forget to eat something too…
As you may have noticed, Mexican restaurants are just as popular as ever in London. Last March we broke the news that a Mexican fine dining restaurant will replace what is currently Cookbook Café at the Intercontinental on Park Lane, while Cielo Blanco opens tomorrow on Exmouth Market, peddling Mexican street food and 50% off drinks from 9-20 May. Ex-Wahaca menu innovator Edson Diaz-Fuentes has also just opened taqueria Santo Remedio on Rivington Street, which we heartily recommend.
Take a look at our full list of the best Mexican restaurants in London here
If you’re staying in for Cinco de Mayo, get into (and onto) the spirit with these three tried-and-tested Tequila cocktail recipes
Tommy’s Margarita
This is a real improvement on the original Margarita recipe, swapping the triple sec for agave syrup to give an amplified richness to the cocktail.
50ml Tequila
25ml lime juice
12.5ml agave syrup
Glass: Rocks
Method: If you want salt around the rim, wet it with lime juice and then dip it in a bowl of salt. Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake vigorously, then strain into the ice-filled rocks glass.
Paloma
This is the best Tequila highball in my humble opinion – the sharpness of the grapefruit soda and lime really add an extra dimension to the sweet vegetal notes of the Tequila. I’ve been on a quest to find the best grapefruit soda – Ting is too sweet but some love it. For those who prefer a more bitter drink, look to San Pellegrino.
50ml Tequila
Juice of half a lime
1 pinch of sea salt
Grapefruit soda to top
Glass: Highball
Method: Fill your highball with ice, add the Tequila, lime and salt. Fill with grapefruit soda to the top and stir.
Tequila Con Verdita
Not technically a cocktail, this is still one of my favourite ways to serve Tequila. The Verdita is a cooling green chaser to the fire of the Tequila. The idea is that you switch between the two drinks, with each driving you to take a sip from the other.
For the Verdita:
1 large bunch coriander
1 bunch of mint (half the size)
2 green jalapeño chilis
1 carton pateurised pineapple juice
Glass: Shot
Method: Blend ingredients together, strain and chill. Serve with an accompanying shot of your favourite Tequila.
This article was modified 5 May 2016
Portraits and cocktail photos by Steve Ryan