Jalapeno Watermelon Margaritas! Ole, Davis!

By SUSAN C. SCHENA (Patch Staff)

PHOTO: SPICY JALAPEÑO WATERMELON MARGARITAS courtesy of Gimme Some Oven.

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By Jennifer Silver-Herman of sparklerparties.com of Aptos:

Cinco De Mayo is the perfect time to gather friends and family to celebrate all the things we love about a fiesta: colorful decorations, margaritas, tacos, salsa music, and the relaxed put-a-flower-in-your-hair-and-call-it-done, attitude.

You’ve probably noticed that people love to throw fiesta parties and here’s why: no one says no to a fiesta. It’s impossible to resist the siren’s call (or is that the tequila calling?).

Stand out from the crowd with this kicked up margarita.

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Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh watermelon juice,
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice,
• 1/2 cup tequila,
• 1/4 cup Triple Sec (or any orange liqueur),
• thin slices of fresh jalapeño, for garnish:
• salt or sugar to rim the glasses,
• lime slices

Directions: start with fresh watermelon juice (mango also works great), add lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and a slice or two of fresh jalapeño in a cocktail shaker with ice. Muddle the jalapeno (using a wooden spoon) to release its flavor, then shake and pour into salt or sugar rimmed glasses. For a real treat, make some watermelon juice ice cubes ahead of time. Your guests will be blown away.

You can leave out the alcohol for a refreshingly spicy Agua Fresca. (recipe from gimmesomeoven.com)

Other party ideas:

Taco Bar

This is one holiday that does not require fancy or meticulously displayed food. Personally, we love the relaxed, but very tasty tradition of the taco bar. Simply cook up some basic fillings, put out a good selection of toppings and let guests DIY their perfect taco. This can just as easily be nacho bar if you’re feeling wild (and have a heated serving dish for the melted cheese). If your party is larger, consider picking up the basics at a local Mexican restaurant or bringing in a taco truck (your guests will flip and you’ll save tons of prep time).

Fresh fruit cups

The light, tangy flavors of a Mexican fruit cup are the perfect complement to your taco bar. Traditional fruit includes watermelon, cantaloupe, mango, and pineapple. A squeeze of lime and dash of chili powder really makes the fruit flavor pop.

Churro cupcakes

Churros and cupcakes together? My mind is blown! These light and fluffy cupcakes are dipped in melted butter, rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture and then topped with a delicious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Add an edible fiesta decoration on top and you have the perfect dessert for Cinco de Mayo. See the full recipe at ladybehindthecurtain.com.