This Cinco de Mayo, swap the classic margarita for a glorious daisy cocktail
Am I the only one who can’t believe Cinco de Mayo is already around the corner once again?
Cinco de Mayo is most popular in the U.S. where it’s considered a day celebrating the Mexican culture and heritage while I feel on a global level, it’s become an event synonymous with the margarita cocktail.
Without question the margarita can be considered the unofficial ‘official’ drink of Cinco de Mayo.
No doubt you don’t need an excuse to grab a cocktail glass and mix up a delicious margarita. But you know, when it’s Cinco de Mayo it would be quite rude not prepare some delicious margarita cocktails to celebrate.
But wait a moment.
Instead of another margarita for this year’s Cinco de Mayo, why don’t you try a Daisy instead?
Never heard about this drink? Not sure what it contains and how it’s made?
Then let me introduce you to this delicious cocktail.
What is a Daisy cocktail
A daisy cocktail is part of the sour cocktail family. What sets it apart from a true sour cocktail is the addition of orange liqueur. Thus, a daisy cocktail is made with any type of spirit (gin, vodka, tequila, mezcal, you name it), lemon juice, orange liqueur and soda water.
The first reference to the daisy cocktail (the Brandy Daisy) goes back to the 1862 edition of the bartender’s guide by Jerry Thomas.
After a period in the shadows, the daisy cocktail has recently resurfaced largely thanks to the return of the Gin Daisy.
Though there is no real proof, it’s legitimate to think of the daisy as the predecessor of the classic margarita cocktail. If you look at the ingredients, both cocktails are almost identical and it’s quite likely the margarita was created by replacing brandy with tequila. In addition, daisy in English means margarita in Spanish.
Now that you learned what a daisy cocktail is, get out your cocktail shaker and mix up your first of likely many daisy cocktails.
This mezcal daisy cocktail develops a wonderful smoky and spicy flavour profile with just the right level of sweetness thanks to the orange liqueur and simple syrup. Also, there is no need to salt the rim.
Mezcal Daisy Cocktail
60 ml mezcal
15 ml Cointreau
15 ml lemon juice
10 ml simple syrup
soda water
Add mezcal, Cointreau, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled.
Serving it the most classical way, strain into a margarita glass and top up with a splash of soda water.
Alternatively, strain into a lowball glass filled with ice, top up with a more generous splash of soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh mint leaves.
The latter variation really makes for a lovely, delicious and refreshing summer cocktail.
Carrots and Tigers 