Celebrating Cinco de Mayo has gained popularity here in the States, but what exactly are we celebrating?
I found this article on pbs.org explaining both what Cinco de Mayo is and what is isn’t. It is not a celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain which has its own, unique celebration in September, but rather of the 1862 victory by Mexican troops over invading French forces in the Battle of Puebla. Here in the states, it has become a celebration of Mexican American culture dating back to the 1800’s in California.
Hubs and I happen to love Mexican and Tex-Mex food. In fact a new restaurant opened in our town recently and they have traditional Birria tacos on their menu which I haven’t seen everywhere. You bet I ordered them and they were delicious. Fun fact, one of my bucket list wishes is to travel around Mexico on a culinary exploration trip. The country’s cuisine is so broad and complex, steeped in history and I would love to learn more about it. If anyone knows about a trip like this or has been on one, please share details!
On the blog, I’ve posted many drinks and dishes influenced by my love for Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine and I’ve listed them below in case you might need a little inspiration for this weekend.
But I also wanted to share a new cocktail recipe for yet another version of the ultra flexible Margarita. The inspirational recipe used blood orange juice which of course would have been stunning. However, blood oranges have their season and it has mostly passed.
Instead, I decided to make today’s recipe with one of the most delicious juices EVER, Tangerine, from Natalie’s Organics. It is 100% tangerine juice, no added sugars and it is smooth and perfectly sweetened by nature!
Let me digress for just a minute. Whatever happened to tangerines??? Have they been completed co-opted by mandarin oranges? I can’t find one for the life of me. When I was young, we had tangerines in the house all the time because my father absolutely adored them and usually ate a few for a snack or after dinner. I remember him peeling them and offering me a section or two and with the exception of an occasional seed they were the perfect snack. Aha! Maybe the seed did them in and the seedless mandarin took center stage. Well, thankfully Natalie’s has resurrected this fruit of old and turned it into the perfect juice for your morning pleasure or to mix into a cocktail.
To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add some Tangering juice and Reposado tequila. Reposado is aged longer than silver and has a slightly richer flavor but use the latter if that is what you have. Add a bit of orange liqueur such as Cointreau, fresh lime juice and if you want your cocktail to have a little sweetness, a bit of agave (I leave it out). Shake all the ingredients until well chilled and strain into a glass with new ice that you’ve rimmed with some Tajin.
Do you know what Tajin is? It is a very popular spice that mixes the flavor of chili peppers and lime. It is good on almost anything, including fresh fruit or raw veggies that have been showered with a bit of lime juice first. If you don’t want to buy it, you could just use a hint of chili mixed with some kosher salt.
Fresh jalapenos are added to the finished drink so as you sip it, you enjoy a hint of heat and spice, but it doesn’t overwhelm your palate.
Let’s talk about that for a minute. You know I love spice and heat, but in a drink not so much. If you are a fan of the a spicy marg, however, then feel free to add some sliced jalapenos into your cocktail shaker when you are mixing the drink, or muddle some if you’d rather. I happen to think between the Tajin rim and a few floating jalapeno slices the drink is just perfect.
Ingredients!
A photo I posted to Instagram stories…
And another shot with a different style of coating the rim that I’ve seen around lately. A bit fun so not every sip has a hit of spice or salt, and a little pretty too…
Run out and buy your ingredients and whip up a batch of Tequila Margs this weekend! I hope you enjoy. Local friends, Concord Market has a bunch of Natalie’s Tangerine Juice 🙂
Until next time…
Other recipes for your weekend fun…
Chili-Lime Salmon with Avocado Ranch Dressing
The refreshing taste of Tangerines combined with a hint (or more) of spice from the jalapenos and a Tajin rim make this a delicious and pretty cocktail perfect for any celebration. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fresh Tangerine juice (I love Natalie's)
- 2 ounces reposado Tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur such as Cointreau
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave (optional, I leave it out)
- Chilled lowball glass
- Tajin spice
- Sliced fresh jalapeno, to your taste
- Slice of orange
Instructions
- Add the tangerine juice, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and agave if using to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. To make the drink spicy, you can add 3 sliced jalapenos as well. Give it a good shake!
- Place some Tajin spice into a shallow bowl.
- Use a lime or orange wedge to moisten the top of the glass and then immerse the rim in the Tajin to cover.
- Add new ice cubes to the glass and strain the cocktail from the shaker into the glass.
- Garnish with as many jalapeno slices as you'd like and a slice of orange.
- Enjoy!
