The Knockturnal team is thrilled to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with some of our favorite alcohol brands. As lovers of all things fun and festive, we’ve curated a list of top-quality brands that are sure to make your celebrations even more enjoyable.

From tequila to Mezcal and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. These brands offer a variety of options to suit every taste, from smooth and subtle to bold and spicy.

We also want to emphasize the importance of drinking responsibly. While Cinco de Mayo is a great time to celebrate with friends and family, it’s important to do so in a safe and responsible manner. That means staying within your limits, knowing when to stop, and always having a designated driver or alternative transportation plan in place.

So, let’s raise a glass to Cinco de Mayo and the wonderful alcohol brands that make it so special. But let’s also remember to celebrate responsibly and make safety a priority. Cheers!

Mezcal Union

Cinco de Mayo, initially a celebration of Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, has strayed from its roots in Mexican heritage and tradition. This year, Mezcal UNIÓN is encouraging revelers to explore and experience the rich culture of Oaxaca – the birthplace of mezcal – through the exquisite flavors of Mezcal UNIÓN and innovative cocktail recipes featuring the spirit. 

This holiday, try out two unique mezcal cocktails that honor everything you love about the traditional recipes, leveled up with the addition of Mezcal UNIÓN Uno. While some mezcals tend to be heavily smoky, Mezcal UNIÓN prides itself on its smooth taste, evidenced by its multiple prestigious awards. 

Mezcal UNIÓN Mezcal Mule:

Ingredients: 

1.5 oz Mezcal UNIÓN Uno 

0.75 oz Lime Juice

3 oz Ginger Beer

Chile Piquin Salt

Ginger Slices

Cucumber Slide

Mint Sprig 

Instructions: 

Rim an Old-Fashioned glass with Chile Piquin Salt. Add Mezcal UNIÓN Uno and lime juice to a shaker, shake and double strain into glass over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with ginger, mint, and cucumber.

Glassware: Old-Fashioned 

Ice: Cube

Garnish: Ginger Slices, Cucumber Slide, and Mint Sprig

Mezcal UNIÓN Mezcal Sour:

Ingredients: 

1.5 oz Mezcal UNIÓN Uno 

1 oz Lime Juice

1 oz Egg White

2 tbsp Sugar

Dried Orange Peel

Instructions: 

Shake and combine ingredients in a coupe or old-fashioned glass. Garnish with dried orange peel. 

Glassware: Coupe or Old-Fashioned 

Ice:  None

Garnish: Dried Orange Peel

Espolòn Tequila 

Espolòn Tequila announced the launch of ‘Cinco Para Todos’, a campaign that brings the rich culture of modern Mexico to life beyond a single day of celebrations on Cinco de Mayo through curated, high-quality experiences that feature their award-winning portfolio of tequilas. To keep the vivacity of the holiday alive, Espolòn Tequila has partnered with top Mexican-American creatives across the streetwear, culinary and arts spaces, so fans across the country can continue to experience all that Mexican culture has to offer. The national campaign includes live immersive events, a social media and digital campaign, national sweepstakes, and a streetwear collection created in collaboration with notable artist Sentrock, presented by premier streetwear marketplace Stadium Goods, and cult-favorite streetwear brand PAISABOYS, dropping on Cinco de Mayo.

ABOUT ESPOLÒN TEQUILA:

Distilled from hand-harvested 100% Blue Weber Agave in Los Altos, the Highlands region of Jalisco, Espolòn’s award-winning tequilas are the pride of the Casa San Nicolás. Espolòn was the realization of a lifelong desire for late founder and Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza, who dreamed of creating a tequila that blends artisanal Mexican tradition with modern techniques.

Espolòn is, at its heart, a tribute to Mexican culture, with striking bottle designs by the rich, storied history of Mexico. Through its labels, Espolòn pays tribute to a true luminary – José Guadalupe Posada. Posada was a 19th century artist and printmaker, a real pioneer, and a bit of a rebel. His most famous work, the calaveras (skeletons), were a powerful commentary on the social injustices of his time. He gave his people a voice and gave the art world a style that continues to influence pop culture today. Today, Espolòn Tequila Blanco, Espolòn Tequila Reposado, Espolòn Tequila Añejo and Espolòn Cristalino each spotlight different moments in Mexican history, led by the legendary rooster, Ramón. For more information on Espolòn, visit espolontequila.com.

Espolòn El Diablo – If your go-to is a margarita, but you want to switch things up a bit while playing it safe, the El Diablo should definitely be your top choice. This simple yet delicious cocktail brings together a citrusy taste from the fresh lime and a sweet flavor from the crème for a refresh at your Cinco celebrations!

Espolòn El Diablo:

ESPOLÒN TEQUILA CINCO PARA TODOS TOUR DATES:

• Los Angeles, CA – Thursday, May 4
• Chicago, IL – Monday, May 8
• Miami, FL – Tuesday, May 16
• New York City, NY – Friday, May 19
• Austin, TX – Thursday, May 25
• Phoenix, AZ – Saturday, May 27

Ancho Reyes

Verde Gimlet – If you like to spice things up and can handle the heat, this four ingredient cocktail is the perfect option! The Verde Gimlet fuses the spice of Ancho Reyes with citrus of fresh lime juice and gin to create a flavorful cocktail. This is a perfect alternative to your basic spicy marg or spicy paloma.

Verde Gimlet

Ingredients:

1 part Ancho Reyes® Verde

1 part Bulldog® gin

1 part fresh lime juice

½ part simple syrup

Method:

– Put all ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake hard

and strain into a rocks glass with ice. 

Garnish:

Garnish with a lime wheel.

Montelobos Mezcal

Montelobos Oaxacan Negroni – If bourbon is your favorite, but you’re looking to switch things up for the occasion, the Oaxacan Negroni is the cocktail for you! A twist on a classic, the Oaxacan Negroni brings a smoky flavor with a kick!

Montelobos Oaxacan Negroni

Ingredients:

1 part Montelobos Mezcal

1 part Ancho Reyes

1 part Campari

Method:

– Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.

– Stir vigorously, strain, and serve on the rocks.

Garnish:

Garnish with a Orange Slice

Austin Cocktails

 Austin Cocktails – a sister-inspired, Austin-based brand making high quality spirits-based, craft cocktails available any time. Perfect for the effortless entertainer, Austin Cocktail’s canned cocktail selection makes celebrating the leading lady in your life even easier. With three flavors that boast bold flavor and 12.5% ABV, be sure to check out Austin Cocktails’ Bergamot Orange Sparkling Margarita, Cucumber Vodka Sparkling Mojito, and / or Fred’s Ruby Red Sparkling Cocktail while celebrating this year. Whether your plans include a memorable brunch or cocktail hour, simply serve any of the flavors over ice, garnish with fresh citrus or herbs, and enjoy! To purchase click HERE.

Bergamot Orange Sparkling Margarita:

Finally, a clean margarita that doesn’t skimp on the tequila. The recipe combines a full-bodied, blanco tequila with a floral winter-grown Italian bergamot orange that’s more sour than sweet. With more spirit, more flavor, and far less sugar, go ahead and opt for extra chips & queso when you’re drinking this one.  

Ingredients:  

1.       Tequila  
2.       Bergamot Orange  
3.       Triple Sec  
4.       Lime  
5.       Seltzer  
6.       Agave 

Cucumber Vodka Sparkling Mojito:

Inspired by the country gardens, this cocktail has a plucked-from-the-patch taste. Preserving the entirety of cucumber flavor exactly as it comes from the ground provides the cocktail with an earthy finish. The juices and essential oils from the lime bring a bright, citrusy kick. Crips, are clean and will always hit just right.    

Ingredients:  

1.       5x-Distilled Vodka  
2.       Cucumber  
3.       Mint  
4.       Lime  
5.       Seltzer 
6.       Agave

Fred’s Ruby Red Sparkling Cocktail:

An ode to the founder’s Grandpa Fred who was a down-to-earth farmer with a contagious, effervescent charm. The clean combination of vodka, ruby red grapefruit, crisp mint and juicy lime provides a juicy sip with a touch of bitterness. Incredibly light and refreshing, like a day with no agenda. 

Ingredients:  

1.       5x-Distilled Vodka  
2.       Grapefruit 
3.       Mint 
4.       Lime 
5.       Seltzer 
6.       Agave

Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal

Contraluz, award-winning spirits company Casa Lumbre launched their latest Cristalino in the U.S. market last year in partnership with global superstar, Maluma. Contraluz boasts a new-to-market filtration process using activated charcoal to produce a colorless, smooth flavor profile without compromising mezcal’s signature smokey taste.  

Contraluz Royalty Margarita

Ingredients:  

•       2 oz Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal 
•       1 oz Lime cordial  
•       ½ oz Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur 
•       ½ oz Agave 
•       ¼ Orange Liqueur

Optional: 

•       Salis salt blend made of citrus peels and Amazonian chilies 

Preparation:  

Add in ice and all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir for 10 seconds, and serve in a rocks glass with fresh ice and salt. Garnish with dehydrated lime. 

Nocheluna Sotolita 

Harvested from 100% wild Sotol, Nocheluna has a fresh taste balanced with minerality and herbal notes of citrus, cacao and mint . The liquid’s unique layers of flavors are formed over years in the wild-embodying the natural elements, resilient spirit, and vibrant culture that thrive there.

Nocheluna Sotolita 

Ingredients:  

•       1.5 oz Nocheluna Sotol  
•       1.0 oz Triple Sec 
•       1.0 oz Lime Juice 
•       1.5 oz Apple Juice  

Garnish: 

•       Chiltepin Salt 
•       Apple Slices 

Method: 

Add all ingredients to a shaker. Shake with ice. Strain and serve into a rocks glass with chiltepin salt rim.