Today in the U.S., many people are going to celebrate "Cinco de Mayo." It certainly is one of the more bizarre holiday celebrations. Cinco de Mayo has nothing to do with mayonnaise. In actuality, it is a patriotic celebration of the victory of the smaller Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla, in Mexico, on May 5th, 1862.
In Mexico, outside of Puebla, it is a minor holiday; however, for the Mexican-American population it is a source of cultural pride. For the non-hispanic population, particularly in the American southwest, it is an opportunity to decorate the patio and make up batches of margaritas, sangria, and hispanic appetizers.
¡Carumba!
Jamie's absolutely perfect Margarita(just remember 3-2-1)
3 jiggers silver tequila (made from 100% blue agave - the good stuff)
2 jiggers Cointreau (better and more flavorful than Triple Sec - only a snob would use Grand Marnier)
1 jigger fresh-squeezed lime juice
Shake over ice and serve on ice with a twist of lime.
Salt on the glass, you ask! Perish the thought! That is a cheap bartender trick to get you to pay for more drinks.
Jamie's really easy Sangria1 750 ml bottle of Spanish red table wine
1 navel and/or blood orange, quartered
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
sparkling water, soda water, or seltzer water
Pour contents, less water, into a large pitcher. Muddle with a wooden spoon until the fruit is pretty well crushed. Allow to sit for an hour to infuse the wine with the fruit juices and citrus oils from the peels.
Pour into a tall glass of ice, approximately 2/3rds full Top with fizzy water. Garnish with sliced orange and cherries.
Enjoy!