Cinco de Mayo has always been a vibe but this year, Código 1530 is bringing something sharper, more intentional, and critically more local to the celebration.

The move? Elevated tequila cocktails that don’t just honour Mexican heritage but weave in the flavours of South Africa, because the best cultural moments are always the ones that find the unexpected overlap.

Leading the charge is Tanealé Van der Merwe, Pernod Ricard’s Prestige Ambassador and the kind of cocktail mind that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about tequila. Her signature creation for the occasion is the “Lekker Fresca” pineapple, rooibos, and tequila in a single glass, and yes, it’s as inspired as it sounds. Summer energy is bottled, then handed to your mid-winter. Mexico and Mzansi finding common ground in the best possible way.

The full lineup rounds out with a tart Cranberry Cosmo, a smooth Tequila Old Fashioned for the classicists in the room, and a spicy Bloody Maria for everyone who needs their cocktail to have a personality.

Whether you’re hosting a proper gathering or simply main charactering a solo evening with the right glass and the right playlist, this is the energy. Great drinks, good company, and no further justification required.

Código Lekker Fresca  

Ingredients:

• Servings: 1

• Prep time: 5 minutes

• 2 parts Código 1530, Blanco Tequila

• ¾ part Blood Orange Syrup

• 1 part Rooibos 

• 1 part Lime Juice 

• 2 part Pineapple Juice 

  
  

How To Prepare:

1. hake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.

2. Fine Strain the mix into your chilled  and Iced glass.

3. Garnish with a Fresh Pineapple Slice with Chili Salt.

Código Cranberry Cosmo

Ingredients: 

Servings: 1  

Prep time: 5 minutes 

• 2 parts Código 1530 Rosa Tequila 

• 1 part cranberry juice 

• ¾ part orange liqueur 

• ½ part lime juice 

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How To Prepare:  

1. Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. 

2. Strain the mix into your chilled glass. 

3. Garnish with an orange twist for traditional sake, or a fresh cran-rosemary spring for a festive touch. 

Código  Drammed Tequila Old Fashioned 

Servings: 1  

Prep time: 3 minutes 

Ingredients: 

• 2 parts Código 1530 Reposado Tequila 

• ½ part Drambuie 

• ¼ part rich demerara syrup 

• 1 dash Orange Bitters 

• 1 dash Angostura 

• 1 Luxardo cherry 

• 2 thin pear slices for garnish 

  
  

How To Prepare: 

1. Add Código 1530, demerara syrup, Drambuie, and bitters to an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. 

2. Stir with a bar spoon for about 40 seconds, or until glass becomes noticeably colder. 

3. Garnish with pear slices and Luxardo cherry. 

Código Bloody Maria  

Ingredients: 

• Servings: 1 Prep time: 3 minutes 

• 2 parts Código 1530 Blanco Tequila 

• 4 parts tomato juice 

• ½ part lemon juice 

• ½ teaspoon horseradish 

• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce 

• 2 dashes Tabasco sauce 

• 1 dash celery salt 

• 1 dash ground black pepper 

  
  

How To Prepare: 

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. 

2. Add Código, tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, and black pepper. 

3. Shake and strain into a highball or flared pint glass over ice. Garnish with celery stick as is tradition and add savory garnishes like olives, peppers for extra flavour. 

Serve and enjoy! Happy Liking