5 Cinco De Mayo Cocktails to Make at Home

Although outside is opening up and people are getting vaccinated, not everyone is fully ready to start going back to large events and making plans for celebrations. It’s the month of May and before we celebrate our moms on Mother’s Day, we celebrate Mexican history and traditions on Cinco De Mayo.

A lot of people think that Cinco De Mayo is Mexico’s day of independence, but it is really a celebration of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage in many places all over the world. Even though the fight between Mexico and France continued for another five years, the victory in the Battle of Puebla because a symbol of Mexican strength, resistance, and resilience.

In the state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is a huge celebration with parades, speeches, and even reenactments of the 1862 battle. Cinco de Mayo became more popular in the United States during the mid-20th century as Mexican immigrants became more encouraged to be proud of their heritage. Learn more about Cinco De mayo history here.

Cocktails to Make at Home for Cinco de Mayo

In honor of this holiday, we are hosting a huge block party on May 5 at our Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, Agave Bandido. It’s located in the Shops at Pembroke Gardens. The event will feature select menu items, a 360-photo booth from Estellar Booth, live DJs and more fun activities. Whether you decide to join us that day or not, we’ve compiled 5 of our favorite cocktail recipes for you to make at home.

Classic Margarita

The classic margarita is tried and true with a combination of tequila, lime, and triple sec for a glass full of refreshment.

Source: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Ingredients:

2 oz tequila

1 oz triple sec

1 oz lime juice

Lime Wedges

Instructions: Start by putting salt on the rims of your glasses. You can do this easily by dipping the rims into water or simple syrup then into the salt dish and rotating. Combine the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice in a shaker, shake well (do a little dance while you’re at it), and strain on top of ice in the glass. Garnish with as many lime wedges as you want.

Spicy Pineapple Paloma

Source: DeLaHeart.com / Giordana Vogel

If you really want to celebrate Mexico, make the country’s favorite drink. If you love a little kick of heat with your drink, this one is for you! Plus you get the sweet, vibrant flavor from the pineapple.

Ingredients

2 oz Corralejo Silver

1/2 oz grapefruit juice

1.2 oz lime juice

1.2 of a serrano pepper, sliced

3/4 oz agave syrup

Pineapple soda

Tajín spices (garnish)

Instructions: Add all ingredients, except pineapple soda to a shaker with ice. Shake. Shake. Shake. Strain into a tall glass that's been rimmed with the Tajín spices. Top with pineapple soda and garnish with a serrano pepper (or as many as you’d like).

Beergarita

Source: SelfProclaimedFoodie.com

When you are unable to decide between beer and tequila, make this drink to get the best of both worlds.

Ingredients

1.5 ounces tequila

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons agave syrup

8 ounces pilsner style beer

Lime wedges for garnish

Instructions: Combine the lime juice, agave syrup, tequila and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Always remember to shake, shake, shake! Shake well to combine and then strain into a tall glass. Top the glass with the beer and serve immediately. Don’t forget to garnish with a lime wedge.

Anejo Old Fashioned

Source: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Ingredients

Single Orange Peel Slice

Maraschino Cherry

Bitters

Liquor

1.5 fl oz Casa San Matias Añejo Tequila

Instructions: Rub the rim of your old fashioned glass with the single orange peel slice. Add a single large sphere or a square ice cube, and pour in your tequila. Add your dashes of bitter and single orange peel slice on the side of the glass. Stir and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Midnight Bouquet

Source: PUNCH.com / Lizzie Munroe

Ingredients

Grapefruit Peel

Grapefruit Bitters

1/2 oz Elderflower Liqueur

3/4 oz Amaro liqueur

1/4 oz Mezcal

1 1/2 oz Casa San Matias Extra Añejo Tequila

Instructions: Stir all ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Strain into a coupe. Squeeze grapefruit peel and twist over surface, place on glass to garnish.

Enjoy Cinco De Mayo!