JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<div class="menu">
    <ul>
        <li><a href="">1</a></li>
        <li><a href="">2</a></li>
        <li><a href="">3</a></li>
    </ul>
</div>

CSS

.menu ul {
    list-style-type: none;
}
.menu li {
    display: inline-block;
    margin: 5px 10px;
}

.menu a {
    text-decoration: none;
    padding: 5px 10px;
}

.menu a:hover, .menu a:active {
    background: #cf36cf;
    color: #ffe;
/*  padding: 5px 10px;*/
}