By now we all know that Cinco de Mayo is not an official Mexican holiday and it most definitely is not the day to celebrate Mexican independence day (which is actually September 16th). But it does mark the day that Mexico was victorious over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War. So why is Cinco de Mayo such a big celebration in the rest of North America?
The first Cinco de Mayo celebrations outside of Puebla, Mexico were first celebrated in California in 1863 and have been continuously celebrated ever since. Chicano activists, in the US, further raised awareness of the holiday during the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of Indigenous Mexicans (such as Juárez) over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. It was interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations. Today, revelers mark the occasion with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano.
With this appreciation of the history of Cinco de Mayo, we say why not celebrate and appreciate Mexican culture while avoiding terrible stereotypes (yes, this means the sombreros you picked up on vacation in Cancun are never appropriate to wear). Instead, hit up your local independent Mexican or Chicano restaurants. Or you could celebrate Cinco de Mayo by checking out some classic Mexican cinema like Y Tu Mamá También, Biutiful, Roma, or Amore Perros. Personally, we are going to be making some great tequila-based drinks and listening to the music of Christian Nadal, Grupo Firme and Calibre 50. (Spotify has a great playlist or two to get you started).
This year Cinco de Mayo is recognized on Friday, May 5, 2023. Here are three tequila-based cocktails that you can easily make at home to serve at your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
THE GRAND MARGARITA
Ingredients
- 1 oz Grand Marnier® Cordon Rouge
- 1.5 oz Espolon Tequila
- 0.75 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 5 oz Agave Nectar or Simple Syrup (Optional)
- Ice cubes
- Lime garnish
Directions:
- Fill a wide, shallow dish with 2-3 mm of fine salt.
- Cut a lime in half at the width and rub around half of the rim of a margarita glass.
- Holding glass upside down, dip wet half delicately into the salt.
- Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake.
- Strain into glass and apply lime garnish to rim.
EL CIELO TEQUILA ROYALE
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz (45ml) Patrón El Cielo
- 0.5 oz (15ml) Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz (15ml) Simple Syrup
- 3 ounces (90ml) Champagne
Directions:
- In a shaker with ice, add the tequila, lemon and simple.
- Shake, and double strain into a champagne flute with cubed ice, top with champagne, and garnish with orange twist.
CAZADORES CANTARITO FAMILIAR
Ingredients:
- 1 litre Tequila Cazadores Reposado
- 25 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
- 10 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 25 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 1 tsp SALT
- 12 oz Grapefruit Soda
Directions:
- Combine Tequila, orange juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda and salt
- Stir. Pour over ice.
- Garnish with orange, grapefruit, and tamarind candy
