The Batanga is a lesser-known tequila cocktail that has a lot in common with the Cuba Libre (aka Rum & Coke). This spring-inspired riff on the Batanga adds a pop of cherry flavor with the addition of the luscious Luxardo Maraschino cherry syrup.
What’s in a Batanga?
This simple tequila cocktail is made with blanco tequila, a squeeze of lime, and cola. The final ingredient that sets the Batanga apart from a basic Tequila & Coke is that it incorporates a salted rim. Some recipes also call for a pinch of salt directly into the drink.
The salt gives the drink a distinct Margarita-y feel by enhancing all the sweet and sour flavors. Salt also complements tequila and its array of earthy, herbal notes.
History of the drink
The original Batanga was reportedly created by a bar owner named Don Javier Delgado in the 1960s. His bar La Capilla in Tequila, Mexico still serves the drink today, giving it a signature twist by stirring it with a knife that’s also used for cutting guacamole and salsa ingredients.
Why using Luxardo cherries matters
Luxardo cherries are incredibly delicious marasca cherries from Italy. They’re candied in syrup made with marasca cherry juice and they have a flavor and texture that’s second to none.
If you’ve ever had a bright red, tangy maraschino cherry, you’re familiar with the cheap, dyed and corn syrup-sweetened garnish cherries that often appear in bar drinks. Luxardo cherries are authentic maraschino cherries – all natural, with a deep, dark red color and an intense, genuine cherry flavor.
I highly recommend using only Luxardo cherries and their syrup in this recipe. However, if you’re not able to find a jar, you could substitute high quality bing cherries in syrup instead. Luxardo Maraschino Cherries can be found at liquor stores and on Amazon.
Use premium cola
You can use any cola you like for a Batanga, but my favorites are Mexican Coke and Fever-Tree Distillers Cola.
Mexican Coke is a popular cocktail choice because it’s made with real sugar and comes in glass bottles. Whether or not the taste is impacted by the use of sugar over corn syrup is debatable, but to me it tastes much better and more bubbly coming out of that glass bottle.
Fever-Tree Distillers Cola is made with Caribbean kola nuts, Mexican limes, and a spice blend that includes Madagascan vanilla. It’s a delicious soda that’s been carefully crafted, just like the spirits you mix it with. I love that it’s flavorful and not too sweet, a balanced, elevated version of the classic Coca Cola we all grew up with.
Can I just use cherry Coke?
You can certainly use cherry Coke – but your Batanga won’t taste quite as exquisite as this one.
The luscious natural cherry flavor from the Luxardo syrup and the smooth and citrusy Distillers Cola are what make this Cherry Batanga so dang good!
Don’t forget the salt
Salt is the key ingredient that separates the Batanga from a boring Coke & Tequila. Salt adds a zing and brightens the sweet and sour flavors of the citrus and soda. It’s also the perfect counterbalance to the rich Luxardo cherry syrup.
A flakey sea salt is the best for rimming a Batanga. I love to use Maldon sea salt, I think it just makes everything taste better! You can find Maldon at your local grocery store or on Amazon.
How to build the drink
A classic Batanga can be simply built in the glass. Add ice, tequila, a squeeze of lime, and chilled cola to a tall glass with a salted rim.
However, when adding a dense syrup like the Luxardo cherry syrup, it helps to incorporate that ingredient prior to adding the soda. If you stir the drink too much after adding the cola, you’ll risk losing a lot of the carbonation.
Instead, add the lime juice, cherry, and cherry syrup to the glass first and stir to combine. Then add the ice, tequila, and soda.
You can also shake the tequila, lime, and syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker and then strain them over fresh ice and top with chilled soda. But with such a small amount of syrup, it’s really not necessary.
Choosing a tequila
You can use any tequila you prefer in a Batanga, but save those top shelf anejos for sipping. Tequila blanco is the traditional choice, but a reposado works great with the spice notes in the cola.
Here I used Tequila Cazadores Blanco, which is a nice clean blanco with notes of citrus and herbs. You can also use mezcal. I prefer a light smoke flavor in my mezcal when mixing with cola. A great mild mezcal choice for this drink is El Silencio.
Other tequila cocktails you might enjoy:
Cherry Batanga (Simple Tequila and Coke Cocktail)
Ingredients
For the cocktail:
- 1½ oz tequila blanco
- ½ oz lime juice (roughly the just of half a lime)
- 1 Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (with a bar spoon of syrup from the jar)
- 4-6 oz Fever-Tree Distillers Cola (or other premium cola)
For rimming the glass:
- 1 lime wedge
- flakey sea salt
Instructions
To rim the glass:
- Cut a lime wedge and run it along the outside edge of a tall glass.
- Pour a couple of tablespoons of flakey salt into a shallow dish and dip the moistened edge of the glass into the salt. Gently shake to remove any excess.
To make the cocktail:
- Combine the Luxardo cherry and its syrup and the fresh lime juice in the rimmed glass.
- Stir to dissolve the syrup in the lime juice, then fill the glass with ice.
- Pour the tequila over the ice, then top with chilled cola. Garnish with a lime wheel.