Margarita Recipes To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In Style

Margaritas, anyone?

Friday is Cinco de Mayo, a remembrance of Mexico's triumph over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Americans will celebrate Mexican culture in many ways. A way to keep it respectful (and delicious) is to try out some unique margarita flavors.

• Cinco De Mayo 2017: 11 Party Essentials For A Classy Fiesta

Celebrity caterer Andrea Correale, of Elegant Affairs Catering in Glen Cove, has mixed up four unique margarita recipes to bring in Cinco de Mayo in style.

Below are recipes for:

• Mango Basil Margarita
• Avocado Margarita
• Carrot Ginger Margarita
• Jalapeno Margarita

Make sure you have your salt, tequila and limes ready.

Here are the recipes, courtesy of Correale:

Mango Basil Margarita

Mango Puree Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups chopped fresh mango
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water

Mango Basil Margarita Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz (3 tablespoons) Mango Puree
• 1 oz (2 tablespoons) blanco tequila
• ¼ oz clear orange-flavored liqueur
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• 2 fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1 oz club soda, chilled

To make Mango Puree:

1. Place the mango, sugar and water in blender.
2. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth.
3. Transfer to storage container; cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.
4. Makes about 1 ½ cups.

To make Margarita:

1. Add 1 ½ oz of the mango puree, the tequila, orange-flavored liqueur, lime juice and torn basil leaves to cocktail shaker.
2. Fill shaker with ice; cover and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into cocktail glass filled with fresh ice; top with club soda.
4. Garnish with mango puree and basil leaves.

Avocado Margarita

Ingredients: (Serves 8)

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest, divided
• 1 lime wedge
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons tequila blanco
• ¾ cup triple sec
• ¾ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 8 lime wheels for garnish

Preparation:

1. Toss salt and 1 tsp. lime zest on a small plate. Rub the rim of each margarita glass with lime wedge and dip into salt mixture.

2. Purée avocado, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, cilantro, cayenne, remaining 1 tsp. lime zest, and 2½ cups ice, preferably crushed, in a blender until smooth.

3. Divide among prepared glasses and garnish each with a lime wheel.

Carrot Ginger Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. tequila

• 3 oz. carrot juice freshly squeezed if possible

• 1 oz. apple juice

• 2 thin slices of fresh ginger and bacon for garnish

Directions:

1. Muddle the ginger slices in the bottom of a shaker glass.
2. Add the remaining ingredients.
3. Pour into a blender over ice and blend until smooth.
4. Garnish with thin slices of fresh ginger and bacon.
5. The bacon compliments the sweetness of the carrot and the biting spiciness of the ginger, plus, everything is better with bacon!

Jalapeno Margarita

Ingredients:

• ½ fresh jalapeno

• 1.5 oz. lime juice or margarita mix

• 4 oz. blanco tequila

• 4 oz. orange liqueur Ice

Directions:

1. Muddle jalapeno and then combine lime juice (or margarita mix), tequila and orange liqueur.
2. Shake and strain over ice.

About Correale:

Correale has been catering elaborate events for more than 20 years. She has catered events for celebrities, including L.A. Reid, Mariah Carey, Russel Simmons, Kevin Spacey, Billy Joel, Jimmy Fallon and Liam Neeson.

Images via R. Couri Hay Creative PR