With the coming of May, the world is blessed with warmer weather, Mother’s Day bliss and one very unique holiday: Cinco de Mayo. Texans across the state will be celebrating Mexico’s unlikely defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 with rounds of margaritas, shots and one too many tequila sunrises. With winter temperatures behind us, it’s easy to get excited about celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the sun with a delicious cocktail in hand, and we’ve spoken with some of the best to bring you five cocktails to liberate your spirit this Friday.

Lone Star Sour Courtesy of Christopher Ware

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Cinco Five Star Vodka
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice  
• 3/4  oz. simple syrup
• 1 piece of jalapeño

Directions:
1. Fill your favorite shaker with ice
2. Add Cinco Vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup
3. Give it a good shake
4. Strain into a martini glass
5. Garnish with a lemon twist and a slice of fresh cut jalapeño
6. If you are daring, drop a jalapeño slice in the bottom of your glass (and hope for the best)

Cinco Gringo Courtesy of Christopher Ware

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Cinco Five Star Vodka
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup

Directions:
1. Fill your favorite shaker with ice
2. Add Cinco Vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup
3. Shake it like you mean it
4. Strain into a glass of your choice
5. Garnish to your liking – We like lime, olives, and salt

Spicy Milagro Paloma by Jaime Salas

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 oz. Milagro Reposado
• 1/2 oz. Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 3 oz. Grapefruit Soda
• 1 Grapefruit Wheel

Directions:
1. Using a lime wedge, wet the rim of the glass and salt half the rim
2. Add ice, Milagro Reposado, Ancho Reyes and grapefruit soda
3. Squeeze a wedge of lime and discard
4. Garnish with a thin grapefruit wheel.

Smoked Pear Margarita by Charlotte Voisey

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 oz. Milagro Silver
• 3/4 oz. Montelobos Mezcal
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 3/4 oz. Agave Nectar
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Pear Juice (muddle from ripe fruit)
• Apple Bitters

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients and shake well
2. Garnish with a dehydrated pear slice and a sprinkle of sea salt

Celebración by Jaime Salas

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. Milagro Silver
• 12 oz. Guava Nectar (pink)
• 2 oz. Ginger simple syrup
• 3 oz. lime juice

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and mix.
2. Top with Club Soda or Prosecco
3. Garnish with lime wheels and white edible flowers to resemble guava flowers

Serves 4

Bonus: Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Margarita

Ingredients:

• 5 oz. Strawberry Puree
• 0.75 oz. Lime juice
• 0.75 oz. Non-alcoholic Triple Sec
• 1 Strawberry

Directions:
1. Blend ingredients with ice
2. Garnish with strawberry
2. serve in a tall glass or a margarita glass.

Bonus: The Perfect Organic Margarita

• 1.5  oz Dulce Vida Blanco
• 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• 1/4 oz fresh squeezed orange juice

You might be looking for some tips on cutting calories during the celebrations and we’ve got your covered. Just be sure to drink responsibly and have a great time.