Coctel de Camarón is a refreshing Mexican shrimp cocktail made with tender shrimp, a tangy tomato-based sauce, and crisp vegetables like cucumber, onion, and cilantro. It's light, vibrant, and full of bold flavor, perfect for warm weather, a healthy appetizer, or a simple, satisfying meal.

Coctel de Camarón (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

Unlike the classic shrimp cocktail served with a thick dipping sauce, this Mexican version is served as a chilled, spoonable dish, almost like a cross between a cocktail and a fresh tomato-based soup, filled with vegetables and bright, citrusy flavor.

Growing up, this was one of my mom's absolute favorite meals. If you asked her what she wanted, there was a good chance she'd say coctel de camarón, especially if we were visiting family in Mexico. While the rest of us would be thinking about tacos, gorditas, or paletas, she was always ready to stop at a mariscos spot for a cold, spicy coctel.

Over time, my parents created their own version at home, adjusting the spice level, the balance of citrus, and the combination of vegetables until it became something we made again and again.

It's a recipe that feels both fresh and comforting, made with simple ingredients like shrimp, tomato juice, lime, and fresh vegetables, and naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with protein.

Jump to:

Ingredients & Substitutions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Recommended for This Recipe
How to Serve
Storing and Reheating
Tips and Variations
For more tomato-base recipes, check out:
Recipe

For more shrimp recipes, check out: Shrimp Aguachile with Mango, Mexican Shrimp Ceviche, and Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients for coctel de camarón: tomato, lime juice, celery, tabasco sauce, tomato juice, seasonings, cilantro, hot sauce, jalapeño, orange juice, shrimp

This Mexican shrimp cocktail is made with simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a bold, refreshing flavor.

Shrimp: Use raw, shell-on shrimp for the best flavor. The cooking liquid adds depth to the cocktail.
Tomato or vegetable juice: Forms the base of the sauce. You can use V8 or a clean-ingredient vegetable juice.
Fresh vegetables: Roma tomatoes, onion, celery, and cilantro add texture and freshness.
Spices: A variety of spices and condiments, like paprika, garlic powder and mustard, help create a greta depth of flavor.
Citrus juice: Lime and orange juice balance the acidity and add brightness.
Hot sauces: A combination of Mexican hot sauce, like Valentina and a vinegary hot sauce, like Tabasco, adds depth and heat.

See recipe card for a full list of the ingredients and quantities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mixing vegetables, seasonings, and tomato juice for easy Mexican-style shrimp cocktail

Prepare the Juice Base: In a large bowl, combine the tomato or vegetable juice with diced vegetables, citrus juices, and seasonings. Mix well and refrigerate while you prepare the shrimp.

Cook the Shrimp: Cook shrimp in boiling water until pink and opaque. Transfer immediately to an ice bath. Peel and chop the shrimp if needed. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid and let it cool.

mixing together ingredients for coctel de camarones

Assemble: Add shrimp and cooled cooking liquid to the tomato mixture. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning.

top view of two glasses filled with authentic Mexican shrimp cocktail

Serve: Serve chilled and top with diced avocado and cucumber.

Hint: If you are short on time, you can use pre-cooked shrimp. If frozen, defrost them by placing them in cold water. Then add them right into the cocktail mixture. Add a full cup of ice to make up for the missing cooking liquid which helps makes the cocktail less thick.

Recommended for This Recipe

Product Name

Serving coctel de camarón in clear glass cups or cocktail glasses makes it feel extra special and highlights the vibrant colors of the dish.

View Product

How to Serve

Coctel de camarones is best served cold, making it perfect for warm days or as a light, refreshing meal.

Traditionally, it's served in cocktail glasses or small bowls and eaten with a spoon. You can top each serving with diced avocado, cucumber, and an extra squeeze of lime for added freshness.

For a more complete meal, serve it with:

Saltine crackers or tostadas for scooping
A side of Mexican white rice, Arroz con Cilantro, or a simple salad

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before serving, be sure to stir the cocktail to redistribute the flavors.

Tips and Variations

Don't overcook the shrimp, they should be tender, not rubbery and tough.
Adjust heat with jalapeño and hot sauce to your taste.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of ketchup to the mixture to add sweetness.

For more tomato-base recipes, check out:

I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay in touch, and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.

Recipe

Coctel de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

by Gemma Aguayo-Murphy

Coctel de Camarón is a refreshing Mexican shrimp cocktail made with tender shrimp, a tangy tomato-based sauce, and crisp vegetables like cucumber, onion, and cilantro. It's light, vibrant, and full of bold flavor, perfect for warm weather, a healthy appetizer, or a simple, satisfying meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Refrigeration Time 30

Total Time 1

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings

Calories 79 kcal

Equipment

Medium Pot
Large mixing bowl
Knife
cutting board

Ingredients

Juice Base

2 cups tomato or vegetable juice
1 Roma tomato, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
¼ white onion, diced
2 tablespoon cilantro, diced
1 jalapeño, diced use half for less spice
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste
1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
juice of one orange
juice of one lime
¼ teaspoon yellow mustard
2-4 drops Tabasco sauce
1-2 tablespoon Mexican hot sauce such as Valentina

Shrimp

1 lb medium or large shrimp shell-on and deveined
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lime juice

To Serve

1 cucumber, diced
1 avocado, diced

Instructions

Defrosting the Shrimp

Place frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water until fully thawed. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Juice Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato or vegetable juice with the diced vegetables, citrus juices, and seasonings (except hot sauces).
Stir well, then add Tabasco and Mexican hot sauce to taste. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the shrimp.

Cook the Shrimp

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add salt and lime juice.
Fill a medium mixing bowl with cold water and lots of ice.
Working in batches of 6-8 shrimp, cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque. Using a slotted spoon, transfer immediately to the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
Continue to cook the rest of the shrimp following the same steps.
Once all the shrimp are cooked, reserve one cup of the cooking liquid and refrigerate to cool.
Assemble
Peel the shrimp and devein if it isn't already.
Chop the shrimp if needed.
Add shrimp and cooled cooking liquid to the juice mixture.
Taste and adjust salt as necessary. If the shrimp cocktail is still not cold, add half a cup of ice to help it cool down.
Serve cold in glasses or bowls and top with diced cucumber and avocado.

Notes

Shrimp: Shell-on shrimp add more flavor, but pre-cooked shrimp can be used for convenience. If using pre-cooked shrimp, add a full cup of ice to make up for the missing cooking liquid.
Spice level: Adjust jalapeño and hot sauce to your taste.
Serving: Serve cold with crackers, tostadas, or on its own as a light meal.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2-3 days and stir before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 175gCalories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 5.9gProtein: 13.1gFat: 0.9gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 651mgPotassium: 245mgFiber: 0.9gSugar: 3.9gCalcium: 24mgIron: 3mg

Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and star rating below or mention @everydaylatina on Instagram!

Originally published May 18, 2020. Updated post and photos July 2023 and April 2026.

Coctel de Camarón (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

Ingredients & Substitutions

Step-by-Step Instructions