Embark on a flavor journey with Cóctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail), a classic Mexican delicacy that will have your taste buds dancing to the beat of a mariachi band.
This dish is a staple in Mexican cuisine, a delicious blend of fresh shrimp, tangy lime juice, and a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs that will transport you straight to the coastal regions of Mexico.
Traditionally, the Cóctel de Camarones is served as an appetizer or a light meal, but it can also be enjoyed as a refreshing treat throughout the seasons. 
The origins of the dish can be traced back to the coastal regions of Mexico, where seafood is abundant. It is said to have been first prepared by the local fishermen, who would use the catch of the day to make a flavorful and nutritious meal.
This recipe is a slight twist on the classic dish, and it’s fun, easy to make and packed with flavor. The ketchup and Clamato juice, mixed with a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs, creates a tangy and savory broth that perfectly complements the succulent shrimp.
But this recipe is not just about the flavors, it’s also about the presentation. Serve this dish in a fancy tall glass, with a colorful array of vegetables, some whole shrimp lining the rim, and a sprinkle of cilantro and Tajin.
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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail: Cóctel de Camarones
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 people 1x
Description
Embark on a flavor journey with Cóctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail), a classic Mexican delicacy that will have your taste buds dancing to the beat of a mariachi band.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup ketchup (use chipotle ketchup for an extra kick)
- 1/2 cup Clamato
- 1/4 cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped avocado
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup finely diced cucumber
- 4 slices cucumber
- 1–2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced (choose amount for desired heat)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Tajin to taste
Instructions
- Coarsely chop the shrimp, keeping 8 tails intact for garnishing.
- In a large bowl, combine the ketchup, clamato, lime juice, cilantro, red onion, avocado, cucumber, garlic, and jalapeño pepper.
- Add the marinated shrimp to the mixture and toss until the shrimp is well coated. ( Don’t be shy, use your hands and give it a good mix)
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- To serve, spoon the shrimp cocktail into individual tall glasses, and garnish with additional cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices and a slice of cucumber. Place two whole shrimp tails on the rim of each glass.
- Sprinkle with Tajin to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican, Mexican Inspired
This was delicious, made it last night. Thank you!
Ooh la la, this looks like a true culinary delight. The colors have me craving for more. Thanks for sharing your recipe, I am going to try it this weekend!
Oh Yeah! This turned out so well. Went a little overboard on the jalapenos, but had enough Corona to take care of the heat! Thank you!
Love to hear that! Thank you!
I know its your recipe and you said classic Mexican with a “twist”. But please don’t put Tajin on everything. A good cocktail doesn’t require Tajin nor Chipotle. It has Salsa Valentina or similar. I would prefer to use serrano chilies for extra spiciness instead of Jalapeños but either do the trick. The broth is not only Clamato it is a combination of tomato juice and shrimp broth plus clamato, olive oil, Worcestershire Sauce, Maggi seasoning sauce, etc. Anyway…this recipe needs some fine tunning…
Hey Eddie, thanks for the comment – you keep doing your recipe, but you’ll never see Worcestershire Sauce or flavor enhancers like Maggi in my coctel :D – I love Tajin on coctels though, and I had a wonderful one in Mexico just a few months back (which is where the inspiration for this version came)… The beauty of cooking is that you can actually do it the way you like it!