El Diablo Cocktail – A Beautiful Mess

Looking for a visually stunning cocktail recipe to serve? Try the El Diablo. This recipe is made with tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice, grenadine, ginger beer and an optional garnish of peppers to resemble devil horns. It’s a classic tequila cocktail that’s easy to make and delicious.

This recipe first appeared as the Mexican El Diablo in Trader Vic’s Book of Food and Drink (published in 1946).

Related: Margarita, Paloma, Cantarito, Mexican Candy Shot, Guacamole, Queso.

Ingredients in El Diablo

• Reposado Tequila – Or you may use tequila you have on hand.
• Creme De Cassis – A rich, sweet and tart liqueur.
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice for balance and depth of flavor.
• Grenadine – For that bright red pop of color.
• Ginger Beer – Or any gingery soda such as ginger ale.
• Lime Wedge or Small Red Peppers – Optional garnish.

How to Make

In a collins glass or a rocks glass, combine tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and grenadine over ice. Stir to combine.

Top the drink off with ginger beer as a bubbly topper.

As an optional garnish, add two small red peppers as horns and a lime wedge if you like!

Tips for Making

• You can use any type of smaller red peppers for the garnish. If you can’t find them, you can also make a garnish like this for the top of the glass using red paper.
• Some recipes call for a float of cassis along the top of the drink.
• Some recipes call for an empty lime shell filled with cassis on top of the drink. This is a nice finishing touch!