Freshen Up Your Cinco de Mayo: 4 Cocktail Recipes to Impress Your Guests at Home

Wherever they are in the world are accustomed, Mexicans are very fond of celebrating festivities.

All throughout the year, numerous cultural and historical events are hosted by Mexican families and communities.

In the United States alone, there are a handful of spectacular events that celebrate Mexican heritage.

The most popular of which is arguably Cinco de Mayo. Annually, this event is highly observed by Mexican-Americans especially in California and the southern states like Texas.

Cinco de mayo cocktailsWhen Cinco de Mayo hits, is there any better way to celebrate it than with cocktails and Mexican food?

Well of course this comes after celebrating the spirit and meaning of the event itself.

But again you got to admit, Cinco de Mayo cocktails are on a whole other level. Somehow, it makes this annual tradition extremely merrier and more festive.

Why Celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Before we get into the list of Cinco de Mayo or Mexican inspired cocktails, let us first examine why this event is so special for Mexican Americans and why there is a need for it.

Culture and History – This is probably the most important reason why the event is being celebrated.

Primarily, Cinco de Mayo is a way to honor Mexican heritage. Historically, it was really meant to commemorate the victory of the Mexican Army against the French Empire at the famed Battle of Puebla in May 5, 1862.

In modern times, this event remains very much alive that even Americans with no Mexican roots in the United States join the festivities.

Food and Drinks – Can you even call it festive without food and drinks? A natural way to host this activity is through Mexican cuisine and of course some essential cocktails for Cinco de Mayo. It’s a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, and there are many non-alcoholic Mexican drinks as well that are perfect for enjoying on this holiday.

Food is an integral part of this proud heritage so, during this event, every single Mexican food you can think of will be served in households, restaurants, and even in the streets.

Popular Mexican food you can prepare and serve or order are guacamole, tacos, enchiladas, chili con carne, and fajitas. While for the drinks, you can see the list below.

Music and Dance – Like the cuisine, music, and dance are both significant parts of the Mexican heritage.

Evidently, both of these give extra merriment and colors to the scene. Well evidently, you can say that a party or celebration is dull without the rhythm of dance and music.

Popular Cinco de Mayo Drinks

Before we get drunk from too much information, let’s jump right into the overflow of popular and traditional drinks for Cinco de Mayo.

These five cocktails can be easily prepared at home to the delight of all your guests.

1. Classic Margarita

Whether you are celebrating at home, in a restaurant, or the streets, you need to have a margarita.

This drink is often referenced as the “official drink” for Cinco de Mayo. No wonder it remains to be one of the most popular drinks no matter what the event is (or even when there is no event at all).

Mexican inspired cocktails

There is actually a reason why margarita is called the official drink for this event.

This may be traced to the invention of the frozen margarita machine by a Mexican-American restaurateur named Mariano Martinez.

His restaurant and most restaurants would serve margaritas, especially on Cinco de Mayo.

So it is only logical that we place the classic margarita atop this list.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5-2.0 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur or triple sec
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • Cut lime fruit
  • Salt
  • Ice cubes

Preparation and Serving:

  • Salt any glass you have by dipping its rim on a dish or bowl with the salt.
  • Then place the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a shaker, then shake for a few seconds to mix them properly.
  • Afterward, you may put it in your glass already with the fruit garnish. Putting ice is up to you.

2. Palomaesque

Like the classic margarita, Paloma is also a very popular drink that is fitting for a grand celebration like Cinco de Mayo.

It is even considered the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico itself. Arguably, it is most known for its mixture of tequila and grapefruit-flavored soda.

However, for this list, we are doing it a bit differently. You are probably already so used to drinking a typical Paloma cocktail so why not try another way of making it.

Palomaesque is a variant of Paloma that uses a different base. If Paloma uses tequila, for this drink, we are going to use mezcal.

Mezcal is made from agave so it gives an earthy flavor and aroma compared to tequila.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Mezcal,
  • 1 oz Grapefruit Juice Or Soda
  • 1.5 oz Cocchi Americano
  • Lime juice
  • 1tbsp honey syrup
  • Salt
  • Soda water
  • Grapefruit wheel
  • Ice cubes

Preparation and Serving

  • First, you have to mix the mezcal with the honey syrup. Wait until it dissolves before adding the other ingredients to the shaker.
  • Shake it for a few seconds.
  • Fill the glass with the palomeque and then garnish with the grapefruit wheel. Ice cubes are optional.

3. Mexican Mimosa

Like the Paloma, the Mexican mimosa uses grapefruit juice. But you may also use other juices like pomegranate. This is one of the easiest drinks you can prepare for this celebration.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz tequila, ½ ounce simple syrup
  • 1.5 oz grapefruit juice
  • Sparkling wine

essential cocktails for Cinco de Mayo

Preparation and Serving

Mix all the ingredients in the shaker, shake it only for a few seconds. You may choose to add ice or not.

4. Jalapeño Margarita

Since this is a Mexican event, there is a need to spice everything up. So why not try this special and spicy cocktail?

essential cocktails for Cinco de Mayo

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz tequila,
  • 1.5 oz triple sec,
  • Lime juice
  • Agave nectar
  • Jalapeño pepper
  • Salt
  • Lime wedge and
  • Ice cubes

Preparation and Serving

  • Salt your glass by dipping its rim on a dish or bowl with salt.
  • Pour the ingredients in a shaker over ice, then shake it for a few seconds.
  • Pour it into your glass and put the lime wedges.

If you want this event to be easier and merrier, you may just order everything here at El Rincon.

We have all the cocktails and Mexican cuisine you need for every celebration!

More from El Rincon Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
How Mexican Food is Different From American Food
10 Celebrities Who Love Authentic Mexican Food

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