Cinco De Mayo or the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla is a day of historic significance, celebrated with parades, speeches and the reenactment of the battle in the state of Puebla. In most US cities there is a block or street party with specials from Mexican restaurants, maybe some fresh margaritas made on the spot, fruity popsicles and slushies to beat the summer heat and a variety of guacamole to pick from. 

This year, on the 5th of May, spice things up a bit if you are staying at home or celebrating with friends at home. Without a proper Mexican cocktail, Cinco De Mayo celebrations are not feisty enough. Let’s mix up the traditional cocktails with something modern to make the fest more upbeat. Here are some cocktails you can stir up in no time to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. 

The Classic Margarita

Recipe from Town & Country

Classic Margarita, Source Town & Country

Put on your sombrero and mix up the quintessential Mexican drink - the margarita, to bring in Cinco de Mayo. While everyone has a favorite drink, everyone also has their favorite margarita. If you are looking for a quick-fix cocktail to drink come to Cinco de Mayo, the classic Margarita is the sure way to go. 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila (we suggest the award-winning Suave Tequila Reposado)
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 lime cut into wedges

Method: 

Salt the glasses rim by dipping a wet glass rim into a salt dish and rotating. Combine all ingredients into a shaker, shake well and strain into the rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Pink Señoritas

Recipe from Delish

Pink Señoritas, Source Delish

The gentle-looking Pink Señoritas serve a double purpose. Along with being a great cocktail choice for Cinco De Mayo, it is also a great cocktail choice for the summer. Ditching the regular usage of limes, Pink Señoritas instead use pink lemonade and lemon juice. A great drink to dance the night away with.

Ingredients:

• Lemon wedge, for rimming glasses
• Coarse salt, for rimming glasses
• 2 c. ice
• 2 1/4 c. Pink lemonade
• 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 c. triple sec (the Kozuba Triple Sec is a great choice)
• 1 c. tequila
• 4 Lemon Slices, for garnish

Method:

Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of four glasses, then dip rims into salt.
To each glass, add ice, pink lemonade, lemon juice, triple sec, and tequila. Stir to combine. (if you prefer a lot of ice, stir together the mixture first, then pour over ice.)
Garnish each glass with a lemon slice. 

Michelada

Recipe from Liquor

Michelada, Source Liquor

Beer cocktails make for a union that everyone can get behind. This Cinco De Mayo, go for the Mexican classic, the Michelada. While its origins are unclear, it likely dates back to the 20th century. When it comes to celebrating Mexican heritage and culture because of historic events, why not celebrate it with a historic drink like the Michelada. Combining three Mexican words to form “My Cold Beer”, which spells anything but history, the Michelada is a staple beer cocktail. Here’s how you can make yours.

Ingredients:

• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 lime wedge
• 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 drops Tabasco sauce
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 pinch celery salt
• Mexican lager beer, chilled
• Garnish: lime wedge

 
Method:

Add equal parts salt and cayenne pepper to a plate or shallow bowl. Rub the lime wedge along half the rim of the pint glass and then dip the rim into the salt-cayenne mixture. Add the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, black pepper and celery salt to the glass. Fill with the beer and garnish with a lime wedge.

Dulce De Tequila

Recipe from The Spruce Eats

Dulce De Tequila, Source The Spruce Eats

What makes the Dulce De Tequila such a fantastic drink is its perfect sweet and sour taste. The tequila-based cocktail pairs a cognac with an aged tequila to achieve this balance. It has a sweet-sour finish and is paired with Mexican sweet bread. 
 
Ingredients:

• Granulated or superfine sugar, for rimming
• 2 ounces reposado tequila (try the El Tequileño Reposado Rare)
• 1 ounce cognac (the E&J VSOP Brandy is a perfect choice)
• 1 ounce premium triple sec
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 1 tablespoon agave nectar
• Lime wedge, or a lemon wedge, for garnish

Method:

Gather the ingredients. Rim a cocktail glass with sugar. Wipe a lime or lemon wedge around the rim, then roll it in a shallow dish with granulated or superfine sugar. Rim a cocktail glass with sugar. Wipe a lime or lemon wedge around the rim, then roll it in a shallow dish with granulated or superfine sugar. Shake well. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime or lemon wedge. Serve and enjoy.

Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktail

Recipe from Cookie + Kate

Pineapple Cilantro Serrano, Source Cookie + Kate

Taking a cue from the margaritas, the Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktail utilizes tequila but that is where the traditionality ends with this cocktail. Bold, spicy, sweet and herbal all at once, the Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktail will without any doubt bring a lot of zest to your Cinco De Mayo celebrations. 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
• ½ small lime, juiced
• 1 small, round slice of serrano pepper (⅛th to ¼th-inch thick)
• 1 ½ ounce silver tequila (go with the Juan Lobo Blanco Tequila)
• 3 ounces quality pineapple juice
• Agave nectar (optional), to taste

Method:

In a cocktail shaker or glass, muddle the cilantro, lime juice and slice of serrano.
Fill the shaker with ice and pour in the tequila, pineapple juice and a light drizzle of agave nectar (optional). Shake well, and strain the mixture over ice in a cocktail glass.
Garnish minimally with a lime round, or get fancy with a slice of pineapple and sprig on cilantro on a cocktail pick.

Margarita Slushy Shots

Recipe from Delish

Margarita Slushy Shots, Source Delish

How can we celebrate Cinco de Mayo without shots?
Well, there’s always the option of enjoying a tequila shot but if you want to fancy things up a bit, the Margarita Slushy Shots make the ideal preparation for Cinco De Mayo. 
 
Ingredients:

• 6 oz. silver tequila
• Juice of 3 limes (1 rind reserved)
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1 c. ice
• Coarse or margarita salt, for rimming glasses
• Chopped strawberries, pineapple, blackberries, and raspberries, for shots

Method:
In a blender, combine tequila, lime juice, honey, and ice and blend until slushy. Rim four shot glasses with a juiced lime and dip in salt. Fill shot glasses with chopped fruit and margarita mixture.