Move Over Espresso Martinis — Martha Stewart Has Declared This Cocktail The Drink Of Summer

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Whether we’re hosting a party or getting ready for a day at the pool or beach, one thing we always make sure we have prepared for summer fun is something delicious to drink. On days when we’re feeling lazy or need something easily transportable, we’ll stock up on our favorite canned cocktails, but other times, we like to flex our mixology skills and whip up a summery drink from scratch. Luckily, making a unique cocktail doesn’t have to require tons of fancy ingredients or techniques. In fact, Martha Stewart just shared a new summer cocktail that’s bound to be a hit, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. Enter the Batanga.

Margarita and Cuba Libre lovers, this one’s for you. The Batanga is sort of a hybrid of both drinks. It uses blanco tequila, which is definitely the spirit of the moment, along with lime juice and salt. Sounds like a margarita, right? But then comes the cola. This adds a dash of sweetness and spice to the drink, taming the earthy flavor of the tequila and bringing some refreshing carbonation to the equation. The end result is a drink that’s just as perfect for sipping poolside as it is served up with hors d’oeuvre at a cocktail party.

This drink might sound new to us, but it turns out it’s been around for quite awhile. The batanga cocktail recipe was first invented in the aptly named Tequila, Mexico, by bar-owner Don Javier Delgado Corona back in the 1950s. And though stateside it seems like tequila has pretty much been stuck in margarita and shots land for decades, the batanga is an easy way to branch out.

If you already love tequila, you could also try amping the flavors of the batanga up a bit by swapping that spirit out for a bottle of smoky mezcal. And this might be diverting a little too far from the original recipe, but we think the combo of tequila, lime, and salt would be delicious mixed with orange or grapefruit soda, too.

If you’re tired of espresso martinis, hard seltzer, and rosé, then try the Martha Stewart-recommended batanga cocktail. You can see the creator’s original recipe on her website. Still looking for more summer drink ideas? These grilled cocktail recipes are anything but boring!

In search of more summer recipes? Giada De Laurentiis has plenty: