Many of us love to indulge is a good margarita and some of Mexico’s popular delicacies on May 5th. But what are we really celebrating?
According to history.com, “Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Tuesday, May 5 in 2020, is also known as the Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.”
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If this celebration resonates with you, don’t let social distancing stop you from throwing down at home. Turn up your favorite Mexican beats, video conference your crew, and sip on these popular cocktails that originated south of the border, all from the comfort of your living room.
Margarita
Everyone’s favorite island cocktail and a staple in Cinco de Mayo celebrations, this margarita recipe bypasses the store-bought sour mix with a homemade combination of fresh lemon and lime juice and sugar.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
4 lime wedges
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1-1/3 cups crushed ice
Directions:
In a pitcher, combine the first five ingredients; stir until sugar is dissolved. Moisten rims of 4 margarita or cocktail glasses with lime wedges. Sprinkle salt on a plate; dip rims in salt. Serve in prepared glasses over crushed ice.
Michelada
The best part about this spicy, beer cocktail is that it is incredibly easy to make.
Ingedients:
Coarse salt
Lime wedges
Ice cubes
6 dashes hot sauce, such as Valentina or Tabasco
3 dashes Maggi seasoning or soy sauce
1 to 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/4 to 1/3 cup lime juice
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer, such as Corona, Modelo or Tecate
Directions:
Place coarse salt in a shallow dish; run a lime wedge around rims of 2 cocktail glasses. Dip rims of glasses into salt, shaking off excess. Fill each glass with ice. In a small pitcher, combine hot sauce, Maggi seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and lime juice. Add beer. Pour into glasses over ice. Garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Paloma
If you don’t love the sweetness of a margarita, this is a great alternative.
Ingredients:
Dash salt
1-1/2 ounces tequila
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 cup grapefruit soda or sparkling peach citrus soda
Lime wedge
Directions:
In a highball glass filled with ice, combine salt, tequila, and lime juice. Top with soda. Garnish with lime.
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Horchata
A non-alcoholic option, this Horchata recipe combines white rice and almonds for a thick and creamy finish.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 cups blanched almonds
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
4 cups hot water
1 cup sugar
1 cup cold water
Ground cinnamon, optional
Lime wedges, optional
Directions:
Place rice in a blender; cover and process 2-3 minutes or until very fine. Transfer to a large bowl; add almonds, cinnamon stick, lime zest, and hot water. Let stand, covered, at room temperature 8 hours.
Discard cinnamon stick. Transfer rice mixture to a blender; cover and process 3-4 minutes or until smooth. Add sugar; process until sugar is dissolved.
Place a strainer over a pitcher; line with double-layered cheesecloth. Pour rice mixture over cheesecloth; using a ladle, press mixture through a strainer.
Stir in cold water. Serve over ice. If desired, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve with lime wedges.
The Carajillo
This is the perfect summer, iced-coffee cocktail. And best of all, it’s easy to make.
Ingredients:
2 ounces cold brew
2 ounces Licor 43
1 orange, organic
To garnish: 1/4 tsp cacao nibs, chopped (or a dash of cinnamon)
Directions:
Use a vegetable peeler to peel two long strips of orange zest. Weave one onto a long, decorative toothpick and set aside. Reserve the other strip.
Combine the cold brew and Licor 43 in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, then pour into a cocktail glass.
Rub the remaining orange zest strip around the rim of the glass, then twist to release orange essence into the cocktail. Discard.
Garnish with the toothpick and a small sprinkling of cacao.
Note: If you can’t find Licor 43, substitute with brandy or whiskey.
Recipes from tasteofhome.com