Feliz cinco de mayo!

 
May 5th is right around the corner, and for most it is a day that is celebrated by gathering with loved ones, to eat drink and be merry. You always hear the term “Cinco de Drinko!” but what are you actually celebrating for? I have noticed over the years that people use this day just to formulate their own festivities, but if you actually understood what it was about there would be so more many things to be cheering for. Therefore you would really have something to celebrate, eat drink and be merry about. Cinco de Mayo is an amazing holiday that is actually celebrated because it is observed to honor and remember the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire, at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Without the symbolic victory, you really would have no reason to celebrate the fifth of May in the first place. This day always seems to be filled with happiness and good memories, so it’s important that we appreciate it just a little more. It’s commonly misunderstood, and if you asked around during this time what this day meant, most reply that it is Mexico’s Independence Day which is completely wrong (it happens to be September 16th). This holiday is celebrated just about everywhere you look, it’s posted about on the web, on social media apps, and there are newscasts raving about the beautiful festivals and endless smiles that it brings. So before you pop the champs, make sure you know what you’re popping them for!
Here are some easy and tasty recipes so that you can celebrate the right way- straight from the Food Network (Aka, my favorite place… and yes, I have tried them all #noshame)
 
Horchata- One of my personal favorites (non-alcoholic)
What You’ll need:

• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 1 quart warm water
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup sugar

How to make it: In a blender, combine the rice and warm water. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes until the rice breaks up but does not form a powder. Let the rice mixture stand in the refrigerator for 6 hours or up to overnight. Strain the rice mixture into a container through a fine-mesh sieve or several layers of cheesecloth to remove the rice solids. Pour the rice water into a blender and add the milk, vanilla and almond extracts, cinnamon, and sugar. Blend for 1 minute until well combined and smooth. Serve the Horchata over ice with cinnamon sticks as stirrers.


Next up we have Michelada (alcoholic beverage, almost tastes like a Bloody Mary with a beer base)
What You’ll Need:

• ¼ cup kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons of chili powder
• 4 lime wedges
• 12 ounce beer (Model Especial or Corona light taste best)
• Tabasco sauce
• Worcestershire sauce

How to make it: Combine the salt and chili powder in a small bowl and transfer to a flat plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each beer mug and dip it into the chili-salt to coat the rim. Squeeze the juice of 4 lime wedges into each mug. Add a lime wedge to the mug and fill with ice. Add 1 bottle of beer, a dash of hot sauce and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and serve immediately.

Third is Mango Guava Batidos (non-alcoholic)
What You'll Need: 

• 3 cups Guava Nectar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 cups frozen mango chunks

How to make it: Combine 3 cups guava nectar, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl; add 3 cups frozen mango chunks. Working in batches, puree in a blender until smooth and frothy. Divide among small glasses.

Fourth is Lime Shaped Margarita Jello Shots *insert heart eye emoji here* (alcoholic)
What You'll Need:

• 3 oz packet of lime flavored jello
• ½ cup orange liqueur
• ½ cup Chile infused tequila
• 15 limes
• kosher salt for sprinkling

How to make it: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the lime gelatin and stir until the gelatin dissolves. Pour into a liquid measuring cup and mix in the orange liqueur and tequila. Then cut the limes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh out of both halves. Place each half in the cups of a mini muffin tin and pour the gelatin mixture into each half. Place the muffin tin in the fridge until set. Cut each half into 2 wedges, sprinkle with salt and shoot! Super cute, super fun, super festive.

Fifth if Tequila Refresca (alcoholic)
What You'll Need:

• 1 ounce tequila, white or gold (I prefer gold!!)
• Dash Campari
• 6 ounces grapefruit soda (Fresca)
• wedge of fresh pineapple, grapefruit, lime

How to make it: Fill a goblet or rocks glass with ice cubes. Add the tequila and a dash of Campari to give the drink a slight blush and balance the sweetness of the soda. Top off with the grapefruit soda. Skewer the fruit and stir into the cocktail. Serve with a plate of wedged pineapple, a small bowl of your favorite chili powder, and coarse salt, for dipping!
 
As always, if you are 21+ and plan on partying (and possibly dartying) this weekend, please do so safely!
With Uber, your first ride is always free- and local cabs are always just a phone call away!
And if you’re feeling adventurous, we found some events that may be just for you☺

For our Western MA Followers:

• @Iron Duke Brewing

        100 State Street #122, Ludlow, MA 01056
         Cantina Curbside Food Truck
         and
         Sunday Minor Band: 7-10 PM

• @Nathan Bills Bar and Restaurant 110 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01103

         4th Annual Cinco de Mayo Party with live music featuring Los Ciegos Del Barrio at 5 PM
         DJ Hatch and Bozo at 10 PM-Free Giveaways!
​
For our Cape Cod Followers:

• @The Barnstable Restaurant and Tavern

          3176 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630
          Cinco de Mayo Tequila Dinner from 6:30 pm- 9 pm


As always,
Alayna Anderson
Editorial Contributor
Intern and Mini Badass in Training 
♥

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