38 Cinco de Mayo Drinks That Aren’t Margaritas

Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail

My beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York

Margarita Sangria

This sangria is reminiscent of a margarita with its tequila and agave kick! —Andrea Rivera, Westbury, New York

Maple Blackberry Mojito

This refreshing blackberry cocktail is how you take advantage of prime berry season during the summer months. I've also used other types of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi and strawberries. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine

Pina Colada

Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make pina colada recipe can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Rhubarb Lemonade Slush

My family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people that aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon

Minty Pineapple Rum

This delicious drink is a fabulous way to use fresh mint and celebrate summer. If the pineapple isn't overly ripe, add a bit more sugar. Save any leftover pineapple-mint syrup in an airtight glass container, or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to use later. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Iced Honeydew Mint Tea

I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California

Mai Tai

This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It's not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour. For a splash of color, garnish with strawberries and lime.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Watermelon-Lime Cooler

When temps heat up, chill some glasses and cool down with a slushy blend of watermelon, lime and ginger ale. Slurp and repeat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Strawberry-Basil Refresher

Fresh strawberries and basil are everywhere, so get them together for a cooler that’s pure sunshine. I garnish with basil leaves and sip outdoors. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada

Cucumber Gin Smash

It doesn't get much more refreshing than this gin cocktail. If you like your drinks on the sweet side, top yours off with lemon-lime soda instead of club soda. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Peach-Basil Cooler

Mix peaches and basil with club soda for a cool and refreshing mocktail! —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida

Strawberry Watermelon Slush

We like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana

Ruby Rose Paloma

Rose water adds a delicate touch to citrusy grapefruit and lime. If you can't find rose water in your area, it is available at KingArthurFlour.com. Or you can just omit it. —Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado

Lemon-Basil Mojito Mocktails

In this twist on the classic summer beverage, lemon and basil take the place of mint. For a grown-up version, just add your favorite rum or vodka. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

Belmont Breeze

It may be juicy, but it’s not too sweet. This flavorful refresher is the perfect drink for whiskey lovers to sip on a hot day. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jalapeno Pomegranate Cocktail

This spicy and sweet sipper gives you a little fix of jalapeno flavor minus the heat. Start a couple of days ahead to flavor the vodka. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California

Calandria

A friend and I invented this perfect-anytime drink. It’s similar to a caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, but is vodka-based. Of course, there are endless flavor possibilities for this drink! —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida

Spiced White Sangria

I've been making this recipe for more than 20 years. My husband and I are in the wine and spirit business and we served it at one of our first dinner parties after we were married. It's a refreshing change from traditional red sangria. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida

Paloma

Soon after I learned about this cocktail, I brought the ingredients to a family dinner at my parents'. The next time we got together, my dad had the fixings set out and ready to go. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cantaloupe, Mint and Lemon Infused Water

Nothing beats fresh melon. You can also play around with this recipe and swap cantaloupe for honeydew or watermelon, or go ahead and use all three.

Blueberry Mojitos

Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois

Michelada

Like your drinks with a south-of-the-border vibe? Try this kicked-up beer cocktail that’s a zesty mix of Mexican lager, lime juice and hot sauce. Many variations exist, but this easy recipe is perfect for rookie mixologists. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, WI

Tangy Strawberry Slush

When temperatures rise, cool things down with this ice-cold fruity slush. Keep some in the freezer for when guests pop in on a sultry evening.—Laura Reigel, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Aunt Frances' Lemonade

My sister and I spent a week each summer with our Aunt Frances, who always had this thirst-quenching lemonade in a stoneware crock in her refrigerator. It makes a refreshing drink after a hot day of running around. —Debbie Reinhart, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Spicy Tomato Juice

You can drink this juice plain or use it in most any recipe like chili that calls for vegetable juice as an ingredient. —Kathleen Gill, Butte, Montana

Strawberry Melon Fizz

Experimenting in the kitchen is fun for me. That's how I came up with this recipe—I adapted it from recipes I got from friends for a melon ball basket and for a sparkling beverage. —Teresa Messick, Montgomery, Alabama

Pineapple Iced Tea

We have a large family, so we go through beverages quickly at our house. This thirst-quenching tea is simple to mix together and has a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas

Blackberry Lemonade

Here's a special drink that's perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri

Lemonade Iced Tea

I have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this delightful thirst quencher just takes it one step further. Lemonade gives the drink a nice color too. I dress up each glass with a slice of lemon on the rim. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina

Dill Bloody Marys

With a nice level of pepper, and just enough dill from the pickle, these Bloody Marys are sure to please. To make Contrary Marys simply leave out the vodka. —Jay Ferkovich, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Gimlet

For the light drinker, suggest a Gimlet. The blend of slightly sweet and tart flavors is appealing, but not overwhelming.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spiked Lemonade

Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

Passion Fruit Hurricanes

This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Mojito Slush

Whether you're splashing poolside or watching the kids inside, this slushy beverage has just the right balance of minty crispness and limey tartness that's sure to tingle your taste buds. —Jessica Ring, Chicago, Illinois

Watermelon Spritzer

It couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! “Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.” —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Blackberry Beer Cocktail

This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida

Spring Strawberry Sangria

Wine-infused berries make a lovely addition to this special-occasion drink. I love serving this during the beginning of spring to celebrate the new season. —Gina Quartermaine, Alexandria, Virginia