Batanga

Why we love the batanga

Tequila highball anyone? This cocktail is so simple to make, and it is absolutely bursting with well-balanced, vibrant flavors and the perfect amount of fizz. The sweet, spiced flavors of the Coke balance the tangy zest of lime. Plus, that salted rim adds just the right element to tie everything together and enhance the flavors in the drink.

If you like this Mexican inspired recipe, you have to try this cantaritos recipe, this tequila lemonade, plus this mezcal paloma and these Mexican candy shots.

Searching for more tequila recipes? You should definitely give the tequila solstice a taste (it’s one of my all time favorites). Or mix things up by using tequila in a cocktail it isn’t normally used in, like pina colada with tequila or a tequila espresso martini.

Ingredients & substitutions

• Tequila blanco – Tequila blanco or silver tequila brings a crisp, clean flavor profile, with fresh herbal notes and hints of citrus with a subtle peppery kick.
• Lime juice – Lime juice adds a burst of tangy freshness to this cocktail. Its acidity balances the richness of the tequila and the sweetness of the cola. Fresh squeezed lime juice is always your best option.
• Coca-cola – We used Mexican Coca-Cola for authenticity, but this cocktail would be just as good with whatever cola you might have available.

The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to make a batanga cocktail

Fill a highball glass. Salt the rim of a highball glass and fill with ice about 2/3 of the way to the top. Pour in the tequila, lime juice and half of the Coca-Cola, plus a tiny pinch of salt (this is totally optional, but it’s so good).

Stir until chilled. Using a bar spoon, stir the cocktail vigorously – or at least 30 seconds. Pour remaining Coca-Cola down the twist of the bar spoon until the glass is full. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the Batanga come from? This midcentury cocktail was originally mixed up by Don Javier Delgado Corona at a bar called La Capilla in Tequila, Mexico. The original recipe includes tequila, fresh lime juice, and Mexican Coca-Cola. (Mexican Coca-Cola is different from American in how it is sweetened; Mexico uses cane sugar while American Coke is made with high-fructose corn syrup.)