Restaurant
Unclaimed profileChilitos Restaurant and Cantina
Las Cruces, NM · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Chilitos Restaurant and Cantina runs a beverage program with a clear focus on agave spirits and cocktails. The Margaritas section lists multiple named versions, many with specified tequilas like Cantera Negra Silver, Hornitos Reposado, and Herradura Silver. The broader cocktail list includes a house Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Paloma, and a customizable mimosa flight. Behind the bar, the spirits list is deep, especially in tequila, with Don Julio 1942 Anejo and Clase Azul. Beer covers draft, bottled, and canned options, including New Mexico craft picks. Wine is straightforward, and non-alcoholic choices include horchata and sodas.
- What should I order?
- Start with a margarita that names its tequila: the Aggie-Rita uses Cantera Negra Silver with black raspberry liqueur and a Crimson Pride salt rim, while the Orange Jalapeno Margarita pours Lalo Silver over muddled jalapenos. For a spirit-forward pour, Don Julio 1942 Anejo or Herradura Legend are listed.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone prioritizing tequila and mixed drinks will find the most to work with here. The beer list, including local New Mexico drafts, and the non-alcoholic options like horchata give non-drinkers and beer fans solid choices.
- When should I go?
- The mimosa flight, with a choice of four flavors from eight options, suits a daytime meal. The broad cocktail and beer lists make the venue a reasonable stop for an evening drink.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Non-alcoholic beverages are priced at $3.29 each. Beer buckets are available for Dos XX and Coronita in six-packs. No other prices are listed in the provided information.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The tequila selection stands out for its range, from well options to premium aged bottles like Don Julio 1942 Anejo and Herradura Legend. The margarita list specifies branded spirits across multiple recipes, and the mimosa flight allows a custom four-flavor choice.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A dedicated Margaritas section lists multiple named versions, several with branded tequilas like Cantera Negra Silver, Hornitos Reposado, and Milagro Reposado. The Cocktails section adds a Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Paloma, and more. The mimosa flight offers four flavors from eight options.
Menu strengths
- — Margarita recipes specify branded spirits such as Cantera Negra Silver, Hornitos Reposado, Milagro Reposado, Lalo Silver, and Herradura Silver.
- — The cocktail list includes named drinks beyond margaritas, including Chilitos Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Paloma, and Pina Colada.
- — A customizable mimosa flight lets guests choose four flavors from Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry, Watermelon, Strawberry, Mango, Peach, and Raspberry.
Standout selections
- — Aggie-Rita: Cantera Negra Silver Tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and black raspberry liqueur, rimmed with Crimson Pride salt.
- — Orange Jalapeno Margarita: Lalo Silver Tequila with orange juice, lime juice, and agave syrup, poured over muddled jalapenos and ice.
- — Top Shelf Margarita: Milagro Reposado Tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup, topped with Gran Gala and rimmed with citrus salt.
Wine
The wine list spans red, white, sparkling, and sangria. Named selections include House Cabernet, Sangria, Barefoot Chardonnay, Freakshow Cabernet, Kendall Jackson Cabernet, Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, and Barefoot Moscato. La Marca Prosecco and Wyclef Brut are served by the glass or bottle.
Menu strengths
- — Named wines cover red, white, sparkling, and sangria categories.
- — La Marca Prosecco and Wyclef Brut are available by the glass or bottle.
Standout selections
- — Freakshow Cabernet: listed wine selection.; Kendall Jackson Cabernet: listed wine selection.
- — La Marca Prosecco: served by the glass or bottle.
Beer
An extensive beer program includes draft, bottled, and canned options. Draft lines feature Bud Light, Coors Light, Dos XX Lager, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial, Blue Moon, and local New Mexico craft like Bosque 1888 and La Cumbre. Bottles and cans add Pacifico, Carta Blanca, Sol, Tecate, and Modelo Chelada. Buckets are offered for Dos XX and Coronita.
Menu strengths
- — Draft, bottled, and canned beer options span macro and craft styles.
- — Local New Mexico craft beers such as Bosque 1888 and La Cumbre are on draft.
- — Beer buckets are available for Dos XX and Coronita in six-packs.
Standout selections
- — Bosque 1888: draft beer selection from New Mexico.
- — La Cumbre: draft beer selection from New Mexico.
- — Elevated IPA: draft beer selection.; Modelo Chelada: canned beer selection.
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options include Coffee, Horchata, Iced Tea, Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Milk, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mug Root Beer, Starry Lemon Lime, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, and Lemonade, each priced at $3.29. Corona N/A is also listed.
Menu strengths
- — Varied non-alcoholic list includes horchata and sodas.; All listed non-alcoholic beverages are priced at $3.29.
Standout selections
- — Horchata: non-alcoholic beverage, $3.29.; Iced Tea: sweet or unsweet, $3.29.
- — Horchata — $3.29 — Non-alcoholic beverage.; Iced Tea — $3.29 — Sweet or unsweet.
Pricing: Non-alcoholic beverages are priced at $3.29 each; Corona N/A price not listed.
Spirits
The spirits list is deep, especially in tequila, with options from well to premium aged bottles like Don Julio 1942 Anejo, Clase Azul, and Herradura Legend. Whiskey includes Bulleit 95 Rye, Crown Royal, Jameson, and Glenlivet 12. Gin, rum, and vodka sections add further breadth.
Menu strengths
- — Tequila section lists 24 selections, including premium and aged expressions like Don Julio 1942 Anejo and Herradura Legend.
- — Whiskey section includes Bulleit 95 Rye, Crown Royal, Jameson, and Glenlivet 12.
- — Gin, rum, and vodka sections add Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Diplomatico Rum, Grey Goose, and more.
Standout selections
- — Don Julio 1942 Anejo: listed tequila selection.; Clase Azul: listed tequila selection.
- — Herradura Legend: listed tequila selection.; Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey: listed whiskey selection.
- — Diplomatico Rum: listed rum selection.; Glenlivet 12: listed Scotch whisky selection.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.