Heyy heyyy! It’s almost Cinco de Mayo! What better reason to consume copious amounts of guacamole, tacos and of course, tequila {and make it a double this year because Cinco falls on a Friday}. To help get your pre-game or apartment fiesta started, we’ve created five DIY tequila cocktail recipes for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Most of the following call for an insanely easy to make agave syrup {the same natural sweetener used to make our beloved tequila}. Just add equal parts water and equal parts agave syrup {sourced from any local grocer} to a pot over medium heat and stir until dissolved. Store this in an airtight container until you’re ready to use and it’ll last up to a month in the fridge. Now let’s get crackin’ on those cinco drinkos. Here are 5 D
Party Paloma
Highly underrated in the US, the Paloma is actually the preferred serve and number one seller in Mexico. This elevated pitcher recipe is a slight twist on the classic calling for sparkling Spanish wine {Cava} so it’s perfect to share with your amigos at-home on Drinko de Mayo. Makes 12 cocktails.
1 bottle (750ml) Blanco Tequila
1 ¼ c. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
6 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
6 oz. Agave Syrup
Cava
Add all ingredients to a pitcher and stir and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving add ice and top with Cava. Garnish with grapefruit wedges.
Marmalade Bruncharita
If you’re going to keep your Cinco celebrations going all weekend long, go big or go home at brunch with this Brunch Margarita. Yes, you read that right. Brunch. Margarita.
1 ½ oz. Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
¼ oz. Fresh Orange Juice
2 teaspoons Orange Marmalade
First, salt the rim of rocks glass with orange salt* and set aside. Add all ingredients to a shaker and dry shake {no ice} to break up marmalade. Shake again with ice and double strain over fresh ice into orange-salt rimmed rocks glass.
*orange salt: add 1 TBS fresh orange zest to 4 TBS salt and mix until zest is evenly blended with salt. Cover and refrigerate until use.
Where the Watermelons Grow
Crisp cucumber and fresh watermelon juice are just what you need after a long week to refresh, rest and get your Friday night Cinco de Mayo started.
1 ½ oz. Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Fresh Watermelon Juice {grab it fresh from Simply Juiced!}
½ oz. Agave Syrup
3-4 Cucumber wheels, quartered
Add agave syrup and quartered cucumber to a shaker and muddle for 1 minute to release juices. Add ice and remaining ingredients and shake. Double strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with cucumber slice and watermelon wedge.
Read more: 19 Things to do in Hoboken + JC this weekend {including Cinco de Mayo + Kentucky Derby Plans}
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry & basil, a true love story.
1 ½ oz. Blanco Tequila
¼ oz. Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz. Agave Syrup
4 Fresh Strawberries, quartered
3 Basil Leaves
In a cocktail shaker, add agave, strawberry, basil leaves and muddle. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into rocks glass and garnish with strawberry and basil leaves.
Mango Picante
For those who like it caliente {or a twist if you love The Shep’s Jalapeno Margarita} than this is the Marg for you! Freshly muddled mango and jalapeno make for a slightly sweet, yet spicy cocktail.
1 1/2 oz. Reposado Tequila {aged tequila}
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Agave Syrup {2:1}
5 Fresh Mango Cubes
3-4 Jalapeño slices, de-seeded
First, salt-rim a rocks glass using lime wedge to adhere salt and set aside. Add agave syrup, mango cubes and jalapeño slices to a cocktail shaker and muddle for 1 minute. Add ice, tequila, lime juice and shake. Double strain into salt-rimmed rocks glass over 2″ cube and for the daring, garnish with half jalapeño.
Read more: 15 Spots for a Margarita in Hoboken + JC
Shopping List
This time, we stocked up on our fresh produce and cocktail needs at Kings, either location should do the trick. Here’s what is on your list:
- Limes, lots and lots of limes {rule of thumb, two average sized limes will produce around one ounce of juice}
- Agave Nectar
- Naval Orange
- Orange Marmalade
- Grapefruit
- Mango
- Jalapeno
- Strawberries
- Basil
- Cucumber
- Watermelon, sliced {or whole if you plan to juice yourself}
- Club Soda
And here + here are a few tequila recommendations that can be found at Sparrow {126 Washington St.} for the perfect tequila cocktail.
Which will you shake up? Share your tequila cocktail pics with us on Insta @HobokenGirl blog or #HobokenGirl ¡Salúd!
