Today marks the favorite holiday of tequila lovers everywhere, Happy Cinco de Mayo folks. Mexican restaurants are sure to be going up, on a Tuesday, so before you go off and stuff your faces with tacos, burritos and margaritas we would like to have a mini history lesson and clarify that this beloved holiday dates all the way back to 1862. Cinco de Mayo is commonly mistaken by Americans as Mexico’s Independence Day, however it actually celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of Pubela. During the French invasion the Mexican army took home a monumental victory over French forces when they were outnumbered 3 to 1 on May 5th, 1862. Now, even after a few tequila shots you shouldn’t mistake the holiday’s history at the bar! And for those of you celebrating at home, here are a couple of cocktail recipes to celebrate the most epic Tequila Tuesday of 2015!
Gina’s Sangria Margaritas
Ingredients
2 cups Spanish red wine
1 cup mango nectar
2 shots (about 3-ounces) blackberry brandy
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup white tequila
1/2 cup Triple Sec
3 cups ice
Salt, for garnish
Directions
Add the red wine, mango nectar, and brandy. Stir to combine.
Blend the lime juice, sugar, tequila, Triple Sec, and ice together in a blender until smooth. Moisten the rim of a glass and coat with salt, then pour in the frozen margarita. Pour Sangria into the center of the margarita glass and swirl. Repeat with remaining ingredients! Recipe found via foodnetwork.com
Spicy Tequila Sunrise
For Tequila
1 (1.75-liter) bottle silver tequila
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and diced
4 jalapeños, halved
For Sunrise
2 cups ice
4 ounces orange juice
1 ounce Pineapple-Jalapeño Tequila
2 Teaspoons grenadine
Directions
Pinapple Jalapeno Tequila
Pour tequila into an airtight container. Add pineapple and jalapeños. Close container and shake. Refrigerate for 7 to 9 days, shaking once daily. Using a slotted spoon, remove pineapple and jalapeños, and discard. Line a funnel with two layers of cheesecloth, and slowly pour infused tequila through cheesecloth. Line a funnel with a coffee filter. Pour tequila through funnel into an airtight container. Store in a cool dry place.
Sunrise
In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, orange juice, and tequila. Cover, and shake vigorously for 30 to 45 seconds. Strain into two glasses filled with ice. Top both with 1 teaspoon grenadine. Garnish with sliced lime and pineapple, if desired. Recipe found via celebratemag.com.