It’s here — Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo, which is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, commemorates the day in which the Mexican army defeated France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Fast forward to today, the day is now synonymous with gatherings, tacos, margaritas, and more. While most bars and restaurants will be safely hosting their own dine-in Cinco de Mayo celebration, you can also keep things casual at home with your very own party filled with delicious cocktails and food. Luckily, you don’t need a lot of time to prepare a full fiesta. Jaime Salas, National Milagro Ambassador, is sharing simple tips like cocktail pairing, creating a taco bar, and more. What are you waiting for? Put on your sombrero and get ready for the ultimate fiesta.

MORE: Easy to make cocktail recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Food and cocktail pairings

Tacos can be savory, sweet, or spicy so I often lead with pairing foods with tequila drinks that either contrast or complement the flavors of the dish. I tend to use the following rule of thumb; for carne asada tacos I recommend our Freshest Margarita. The peppery citrus notes are a great compliment to the flavors and textures of the taco. If you’re into a more savory taco like the Al Pastor, I recommend a Paloma Rosada made with Milagro Reposado to cleanse the palate between bites and contract the savory with refreshingly tart grapefruit. If Carnitas tacos are your thing, I recommend our Milagro Anejo neat on the rocks with a twist of orange. The complex and dry oak notes of the tequila will help cut through the fat in the carnitas taco and accentuate its flavor. Provecho! 

Creating a taco bar at home

My recommendation would be to contact your favorite taqueria (taco spot) and ask they sell you cooked meats, such as asada, al pastor, carnitas etc and essentially provide you with the deconstructed elements of the tacos that you can then lay out at home for your guests to build on their own. The next best options would be to provide tortillas (in a warmer), pickled onions, cilantro and tomato, various green and red salsas along with your favorite meat fillings. I recommend you research how to set up a “taquiza” at home for more authentic suggestions. 

Choose a pitcher or punch bowl over making individual drinks

I recommend you batch out your cocktails in pitchers or punch bowls so that your guests can serve themselves. This way you have more time to mingle and enjoy your party. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Quick and easy recipes

Freshest Margarita

•  2 Parts Milagro Silver  
• 3/4 Part Agave Nectar
• 1 Part fresh Lime Juice

1. Pour all ingredients into a Boston shaker, shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. 
2. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

Paloma Rosada

• 1 1/2 parts Milagro Sbr Reposado
• 1/2 part solerno blood orange
• 1/2 part agave nectar
• 1/2 part ruby red grapefruit juice
• 1/2 part fresh lime juice
• 2 parts pink presecco
• Grapefruit or blood orange peel

1. Combine all ingredients except prosecco and shake well.
2. Strain into a champagne flute. 
3. Top with prosecco and garnish with grapefruit or blood orange peel.

Mercadito

• 2 parts Milagro Silver
• 3/4 part agave nectar
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 4 cucumber slices
• 1 pinch cilantro
• 1 thin jalapeño slice

1. Muddle cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño slice in a Boston shaker.
2. Add remaining ingredients and shake vigorously with ice.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with cucumber slice and cilantro sprig.

Watermelon Cucumber Margarita

• 2 parts Milagro Silver
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 3/4 part agave nectar
• 4 watermelon chunks
• 2 slices cucumber

1. Muddle watermelon & cucumber in a Boston shaker, add remaining ingredients.
2. Shake and strain over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with Tajin and watermelon and cucumber spears.