It the El Diablo Cocktail Amazing Enough to Sell Your Soul?

El Diablo Cocktail

The El Diablo is a pretty great cocktail, but is it amazing enough to sell your soul for? There is only one way to find out. Try this recipe. Chances are, you’ll never have to make that choice. If you do, at least you’ll be able to make an informed decision.


In my imagination the El Diablo is inspired by a trip ‘Trader’ Vic Bergeron made to Mexico. Now, before Trader Vic’s became “Trader Vic’s” it was a little joint Victor Bergeron started with $500 that he borrowed from his parents. That place was called Hinky Dink’s.

Based on that name alone, I think it’s safe to assume that our friend Vic was, like the rest of us, capable of making a mistake or two. So, I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to think that he might have, like so many others, wandered down to Mexico looking for answers and/or inspiration.

Now, keep in mind this is purely fiction on my part. For fun let’s assume he’s wandering around the desert, beach, Tijuana – take your pick and he stumbles across a luchador enmascarado known as el Diablo.

Mistaking the wrestler for the devil himself he sees a shortcut to success and worldwide tropical drink dominance. He offers El Diablo his soul and in exchange he gets this cocktail recipe. The rest is history.

Now, we all know that there is no chance that is what happened. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t hold out hope that a cocktail historian comes up with documentation to that effect some day.

El Diablo Cocktail Recipe

The El Diablo seems to have first appeared in Trader Vic’s recipe books from the 1940’s. It was one of the first Tequila drinks to make the Trader Vic’s menu. Make it with Tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and ginger beer. It is also delicious.


El Diablo – Classic Tequila Drink Recipe

  • Glass: Collins glass filled with ice
  • 1 1/2 oz tequila blanco or reposado
  • 1/4 oz creme de cassis
  • 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
  • Ginger beer
  • Garnish: lime wedge and fresh blackberry
  1. Pour all ingredients except ginger beer into a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake vigorously and strain into Collins glass filled with ice.
  3. Top with ginger beer and garnish with lime and fresh blackberry.