Mexican Flag Shooter (Bandera Mexicana)

By Spruce Eats Staff
Updated on 12/11/21
Mexican Flag Shooter

Suzanne Barbezat

Prep: 0 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Total: 2 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
87 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 87
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 3mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The Mexican flag shooter, also known as bandera Mexicana, was created to feature the colors of the Mexican flag: grenadine for red, tequila for white, and crème de menthe for green. While there are other versions of this shot, this variation is done as a layered shot.

Making a shot that is layered can be a bit tricky until you learn how to do it properly. Gravity comes into play when making layered shots, and you need to layer ingredients by putting the heaviest ingredient in first so it's on the bottom. 

The Mexican flag shot is perfect for Mexican gatherings like Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day. While you enjoy these, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of the history and meaning of the Mexican flag.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

  2. Pour grenadine into a shot glass.

  3. Float tequila on top of grenadine.

  4. Float crème de menthe on top of tequila.

How to Make a Layered Shot

This is a layered drink, so each ingredient is gently poured on top of the previous. Use the back of a spoon to disperse the liquid as you're pouring, so as not to disturb the ingredients already in the glass.


After pouring the first ingredient into the shot glass, you need to grab a bar spoon, and while holding it upside down and placing the tip of the spoon on the inside edge of the glass, pour the next liquor over the spoon, moving it up slowly as you pour. This action will prevent the liquors from combining by spreading the next liquor to the layered effect for the drink. If you see it starting to mix, then you're pouring it too fast, simply slow down and be patient to get the desired effect.

More About the Mexican Flag Shooter

This shooter is usually made with tequila, and on the Riviera Maya, it's prepared with a local anise and honey liqueur called xtabentún instead of tequila. The ingredients may be varied as long as the colors are maintained. This drink is also sometimes served flaming, in which case some overproof rum may be poured on top and then lit, and then it's called a flaming Mexican flag and drunk (carefully) through a straw.

How Strong Is a Mexican Flag Shooter?

This layered shot should have an alcohol content of around 21 percent ABV (42 proof), so expect this to be a stronger shot. 

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