Feliz Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Check out my guest post on the DC Ladies Blog today to read about fun ways to spice up your Mexican Fiesta tonight!
bright color florals are a must on Cinco de Mayo; photo via Martha Stewart
Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! What better way to celebrate the evening with friends than by sampling some margaritas?! Here are a few to try, courtesy of some of our favorite chefs and culinary experts:
THE RECIPES
Key Lime Margaritas – Gourmet magazine
Key Lime Margaritas
Mesa Grill Margarita – Bobby Flay
Real Margaritas – Ina Garten
Frozen Blood Orange Margaritas – Ina Garten
Frozen Passionfruit Margaritas – Wolfgang Puck
Blossom Rita – Gabriel Orta, Master Mixologist
THE SALT
For those “with salt” fans, be sure to have some margarita rimmer on hand. If you don’t have a specialty rimmer, like those Stirrings provides, just use some kosher salt. Simply pour the salt into a small dish, rub a lime on the rim of the glass, and dip the glass into the salt.
Stirrings margarita rimmer
THE MACHINE
When you can’t decide which frozen margarita to make, try this brand new Margaritaville machine. It’s sister machine (discussed in an earlier post) makes one type of margarita at a time, while this new version offers triple the fun.
Premium Margaritaville Trio Frozen Concoction Maker
THE GLASSES
Margaritas can be served in an old-fashioned glass but it is always more festive to serve them in a specialty glass. These are a few of my favorites. I particularly love the Aqua Freeze glasses from NOVICA which boast a beautiful color.
Margarita Glass from Simon Pearce
NOVICA Margarita glasses, 'Cobalt Spirals' (set of 6)
NOVICA Margarita glasses, 'Aqua Freeze' (set of 4)
I love Cinco de Mayo. No, I cannot tell you anything about the Battle of Puebla or much else about the origin of the holiday, but I still love it! And who doesn’t want another excuse for a holiday?
Here are five festive ideas for celebrating on the fifth of May:
Uno
One of my favorite dips to make for the holiday is an oldie-but-a-goodie from Cooking Light. Their Tex Mex Black Bean Dip is to die for. It’s served warm, easy to prepare, and is a little more unique than some of the run-of-the mill mexican dips we see so often. Serve it with a colorful assortment of tortilla chips for an easy and delicious snack to kick off your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Dos
It’s unfathomable to celebrate Cinco de May without good margaritas. And what fun to make your own frozen version at home! If you didn’t buy this machine last season when it came out, it’s time now!
Margarita machine from Frontgate
Tres
And to serve those margaritas? Try these fabulously festive glasses from Uncommon Goods. I love how each stem of the six glasses is unique — helping guests identify which glass is theirs.
Hand painted margarita glasses available from Uncommon Goods
Cuatro
Can you say Burrrrrritos! (remember to roll the “r” of course!). Rachel Ray has a quick and easy plan for a fun Make Your Own Burrito dinner. When I served this for guests (with a few adaptations) at a party, they loved it!
Cinco
For a sweet treat at the end of the evening, why not have fun with flan?! Epicurious offers a list of great flan recipes to choose from. The Perfect Flan sounds, well, perfect!
Feliz Cinco de Mayo, everyone!
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.