Why should the Irish have all the fun? Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to gulp countless mugs of cerveza verde, but if it’s tequila that you seek to start a fiesta, Cinco de Mayo is the holiday to celebrate. In 1862, Mexican soldiers won the war against the French and to this day, we commemorate their victory with plenty of sizzling hot dishes, parties at the top Latin nightclubs, and drinks to go around. We’re honoring all Latinos with five thirst quenching Cinco de Mayo concoctions that can easily stop any war. While you’re at it, check out our Cinco Facts About Cinco de Mayo and quick tips to tasting tequila like a pro.
Top Cinco de Mayo Cocktail: Evolutionary Margarita
As one of the most popular mixed drinks in the United States, there are hundreds of ways to prepare margaritas, which encouraged us to speak with New York City’s master mixologist Jonathan Pogash. He provided us his Evolutionary Margarita, which highlights blue agave nectar as a natural sweetener, spicy fresh peppers, and smooth tequila. With little effort, you can reinvent America’s favorite Latin cocktail using the colors of the Mexican flag. Now that’s something worth celebrating.
Ingredients
2 parts Tequila (We used Corzo Resposado Tequila)
½ part Grand Marnier
½ part Agave nectar
¾ parts Lime juice
6-8 Small chunks of pepper in yellow, red, or orange
1 Lime wheel
Preparation
In a mixing glass, muddle the pepper in the agave nectar and lime juice. Add the remaining ingredients and shake well with ice. Strain over ice into rocks glass. Garnish with pepper “flag” and lime “bow-tie.”
Top Cinco de Mayo Cocktail: RumRita
Give your taste buds some excitement by spicing up those margaritas in a way you never thought was possible. Rather than grabbing a bottle of tequila, select rum instead for the quick and easy RumRita. This Mexican drink has a Caribbean flair and it’s certain to be a crowd pleaser on a night that calls for more than rum. All you need is four simple ingredients to add some fireworks to your evening.
Ingredients
2 oz. Rum (We used Ron Abuelo Anejo)
1 oz. Triple Sec
½ oz. Lime juice
1 Lime wedge
Preparation
In a shaker filled with ice add all ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
Top Cinco De Mayo Cocktail: Agave Breeze
Summer is a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rising temperatures during happy hour. Celebrate the arrival of spring, Mexican-style, with a crisp, tropical concoction that will wet your whistle and satisfy your sweet tooth. The Agave Breeze is made from luscious juice of ripe pineapples blended with tart cranberries. However, with the right tequila made from pure blue agave plants, you can also experience a lasting, smooth finish, as well as notes of hand picked mint and lime. Feeling good after a long day at work is a breeze.
Ingredients
1.25 oz. Tequila (We used Regional Blanco)
3 oz. Pineapple juice
Splash of Cranberry juice
1 Pineapple slice.
Preparation
In an ice-filled glass, add tequila, pineapple, and cranberry juices. Garnish with a pineapple slice.
Top Cinco de Mayo Cocktail: Frio Limonada
With Cinco de Mayo comes a feast of sizzling hot Mexican grub and hours of breaking a sweat on the dance floor, but what can you do to cool off? An ice cold spiked lemonade will always do the trick! Brisk and bubbly, you’ll easily wow guests with the Frio Limonada, a delicious, zesty thirst quencher that’s ideal to serve after dancing the night away. Keep your glass close by because the Frio Limonada is worth fighting for.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Tequila (We used 1800 Silver Tequila)
1 oz. Lemon juice
1 oz. Simple syrup
1 oz. Club soda
6 Mint leaves
Lemon wheels
Preparation
Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in a tall glass. Add tequila, lemon juice, and ice. Shake vigorously and strain over ice. Garnish with lemon wheels.
Top Cinco de Mayo Cocktail: Black Mamba Margarita
Speaking of savoring caliente dishes, those chile rellenos and beef tacos need an elixir that compliments the heat. The Black Mamba Margarita is smokier than your typical mix and it’s shaken to perfection with only the finest liquors. It’s also a wonderful exotic number to make for classy ladies and gentlemen who look up at shooters made for frat boys. The Black Mamba Margarita can be ordered at Luxor’s T&T restaurant in Las Vegas, but you can still have some sin in your city with this dangerously decadent drink.
Ingredients
0.75 oz. Hennessy Black
0. 75 oz. Tequila (We used Hornitos Resposado Tequila)
0.75 oz. Triple Sec
3 oz. Fresh sour
1 Lime wedge
Preparation
Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Pour in a glass filled with ice. Add a lime wedge for garnish.
