12 Ideas for Cinco de Mayo Party

Are you ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Mexican culture on May 5th? If you are planning a Mexican soiree or a fun Cinco de Mayo party with your friends, here are my 12 ideas to make your night a success. I created my Cinco de Mayo menu with fresh ingredients and infused the party and even the dessert with Sauza tequila, who sponsored this Cinco de Mayo post.

Cinco de Mayo Menu Ideas

1. Mango Salsa
Give your salsa a new twist and give mango salsa a try this mango salsa recipe, perfect for your Cinco de Mayo party.

2. Guacamole
You can’t go wrong with guacamole. The best tip: never buy ready made stuff, nor those spice packages, but always make your guacamole from scratch.
Guacamole recipe really is easy: 2-3 avocados, chopped onion and a tomato, minced garlic and half of jalapeno, fresh lime juice and cilantro, salt to the taste.

3. Southwestern Chicken Soup
I know what you are thinking… soup doesn’t sound like a springtime food, but this chicken soup is perfect party food that you can make the previous day and it just tastes the better the next day. Try my Southwestern Tortilla soup recipe and stay tuned for my chicken soup recipe.

4. Margarita Lime No-Bake Cheese Cake
My easy Margarita lime cheese cake is no-bake cheese cake, which you can also make already the day before. Fresh limes and tequila give this easy cheese cake a new twist.

Cinco de Mayo Drink Ideas

5. Tequila Shot Bar
As simple as it can be – add a self-serve tequila shot bar with shot glasses, lemons and salt. Even if you are not expecting a wild drinking party adding a tequila shot bar is a simple way to decorate. I turned an old soda bottle crate sideways and used it as the shelves.

6. Sauza-Ritas
Instead of being a bartender and making individual margaritas, mix a pitcher of Sauza-Ritas, a mixture of light beer and tequila is perfect for any kind of party crowd.

7. Lime Sangria
Make a pitcher of Lime Sangria for refreshing dinner drink.

Get the Lime Sangria and Sauza-Rita recipes here.

Cinco de Mayo Party Decorating Ideas

8. Cactus as party flowers
Instead of buying cut flowers that only last a week or two, buy cactus plants and use them in your party table center pieces and party decor. If you are lucky – you will use these same decorations next year too and enjoy them the entire year around.

9. Lime & lemons as centerpiece
Bowl of limes and lemons is an easy and fast centerpiece idea. The best? You can eat them after the party.

10. DIY Piñata
Give your party piñata a little more personality than just buying one from the party supply store, and make one yourself. Use a medium-sized cardboard box and decoupage it with colorful napkins or silk paper. Make your piñata to match your party decor by decoupaging it with the same napkins as you will use in your party table if you are using paper napkins.

We used a glass carrying crate from IKEA in our homemade piñata and added Cinco de Mayo text with felt letters on the side. The carrying case needed a top, but already had a handle for easy hanging.

11. Horizontal stripes
When we think of Mexican fabrics, we immediately think of the striped Serapes in the colors of the rainbow. If you have a Serape blanket, now is the time to hang it up on your wall for your party. If not, no worries. Use almost any multi-colored striped fabric horizontally. The horizontal stripes immediately give the Serape vibe.

12. Soup cans as vases
Washed out soup cans work perfectly as party flower vases or for utensils. You can also paint the soup cans or decoupage them with paper. This time I wrapped the cans with matching striped fabric to complete the party table look.

This post is sponsored by Sauza Tequila.

Have you met the Sauza lifeguard…? He’s equally talented in the saving of lives and the ways of love. And best of all? He’s ready to pour you a Sauza-rita, and listen as you pour out your feelings. This perfect man is perfectly prepared to help make your ladies night unforgettably fun – with Sauza Blue, of course. Check us out at http://facebook.com/SauzaMargaritas.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sauza® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sauza®.

Mango Salsa for Cinco de Mayo

I’ve been making different kind of salsas for a while to test different flavor mixes and to give the same old salsa a new spin. I like this mango salsa, it’s perfect with chips, but even better with fish tacos or even with grilled chicken. It would make a perfect addition to your Cinco de Mayo party table.

Mango Salsa Recipe

INGREDIENTS
2 mangos
1 red pepper
1 onion
1 lime’s juice
1/2 jalapeño
chopped cilantro
dash of salt

INSTRUCTIONS
1. If you don’t like your salsa super hot, roast the jalapeño first. Roast jalapeño in the oven on broil it for 10-15 minutes until the jalapeño looks all black. Cut the pepper open under cold running water, the cold water will make it easier to peel of the skin of the jalapeño. Peel the skin off and remove the seeds, cut in half. Mince into small.

2. Cute the mango in small pieces. It’s the easiest if you first peel the mango, then cut around the fruit and then cut through to the seed like creating a grid in the fruit as pictured. You can then carve the cubes off the flat mango seed.

3. Mince the onion and red pepper. Mix with mango and jalapeño.

4. Squeeze the lime juice and add to the salsa and add cilantro and salt to the taste.

5. Put to fridge covered for 30 minutes or so.

6. Enjoy with tortilla chips. Also great with grilled white fish.

Stay tuned for more Cinco de Mayo party recipes and ideas.

2 Easy Party Drinks

It’s perfect time to start thinking of spring and summer parties, and for example hosting a party on Cinco de Mayo. I’m featuring several easy party recipes and ideas to make your Mexican themed soiree a success. Today I’m featuring two super easy cocktail recipes, both you can serve from a pitcher or a bowl and have your guests to take their own drinks making it easy for you. I don’t drink beer, but the Sauza-Rita is a perfect drink for those who are equally fan of Margaritas and ice cold Coronas with lime, and my favorite is the very refreshing and not too sweet Lime Sangria in its simplicity. Typically I mix mint with rum for mojitos, but it is perfect also with tequila.

Lime Sangria

1/2 cup Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila*
mint leaves
2 limes
2 cups of white wine
1-2 tablespoons of sugar melted in 1/2 cup of water depending how sweet you like
splash of sparkling water
ice

Add the lime leaves and a few lime slices into the tequila and let the them infuse the tequila by soaking them for over night or at least for 2-3 hours. Remove the mint leaves and add fresh ones when you are ready to serve. Squeeze the lime juice of the reminding lime and mix the lime juice with the tequila. Melt the sugar in about 1/2 cup of water until dissolved. Pour the sugar water, tequila and lime juice mix over ice in a pitcher and add wine and sparkling water. Garnish with additional lime wedges and mint leaves.

*If Sauza® Blue Silver isn’t available, try Sauza® Silver

Sauza-Rita in a Pitcher

1 can Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila*
1 bottle light beer
1 can frozen limeade
1 can water

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pour limeade and beer into a pitcher with ice. Fill limeade can with Sauza® Blue Silver and pour into pitcher. Finally, add a can of water, stir and enjoy.

*If Sauza® Blue Silver isn’t available, try Sauza® Silver

Disclosure: compensation was not provided for this post, but I do have a working relationship with Sauza tequila and they have sponsored other posts. My opinions are my own.

Spring makes me think of beautiful china, cucumber sandwiches, petit fours, and blueberry scones with Devonshire cream. You know I love high tea yearround, but there is just something about the springtime that makes me want to call a friend, run to the nearest luxury hotel, and chat for hours over tea.

Afternoon Tea at Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club in Durham, NC

My son and I did just that recently with a dear friend of mine and her daughter. Our children have known each other since they were babies, but now that they are in elementary school at different schools and live in different areas of the Triangle, their time together is extremely limited. We decided to catch up over high tea at the luxurious Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club in Durham, N.C. Tea here certainly didn’t disappoint, and it’s now the place I recommend in the Triangle for traditional afternoon tea. They also have a fabulous menu for children.

Afternoon tea is a great way to reconnect with a friend, family member, or even a spouse. It’s typically served during the hours of 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Depending on demand, some hotels serve afternoon tea daily, while many properties serve tea only a few days a week.

Afternoon Tea is Available in Most Cities with a Luxury Hotel

If you’re looking to spend some time in a luxury hotel, and perhaps partaking in a full dinner at the hotel is not in your budget since you splurged on those sought-after theatre tickets, afternoon tea is a great way to dine before the show.

Book a 4 p.m. tea time, and I promise you that you will be very full when that theatre curtain rises. I had tea as early as 2:30 p.m. and am still full by bedtime.

Yes, teas in luxury hotels are that good. When you visit your next destination, check to see what hotels serve afternoon tea, and give it a try.

If you are in the Raleigh-Durham area, try tea at the Washington Duke Inn. Tea is served Wednesday through Sunday, and reservations are required.

SUBSCRIBE TO SKIMBACO TRAVEL, travel newsletter delivered to you once a week.

Margarita Lime Cheese Cake

This easy to make lime cheese cake is one of my favorite spring and summertime desserts. This time I added a little tequila to the cake to make it a perfect cake for Cinco de Mayo celebrations next month. One of the best parts of this lime cheese cake is that it is a no-bake cake, no oven needed and you can make it a day prior your party. Just put it in a refrigerator for overnight and you will have the perfect dessert for the next day.

Margarita Lime Cheese Cake Recipe

1 1/3 cup digestive biscuits/ graham crackers (approximately 20 cookies)
75 g butter
2 cups whipped cream
3 egg whites
grated zest and juice of 3-4 limes (or 1/2 cup of store bought lime juice)
400 gr cream cheese
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla sugar
3 teaspoons Sauza tequila
7 sheets of gelatin or 3 teaspoons powdered gelatin prepared as instructed by manufacturer
(optional: green food coloring if you want a greener look)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Crush the digestive or graham cookies into crumbs.
2. Prepare the gelatin by soaking it in the cold water.
3. Melt the butter and mix together the biscuit crumbs and melted butter.
4. Press the biscuit crumb mixture into a springform pan.
5. Whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form.
6. Separate the egg whites carefully and whip the egg whites. Carefully mix with whipped cream.
7. In a separate bowl mix the cream cheese, sugar, lime zest and juice and tequila.
8. Fold the whipped cream & egg white mix into the cream cheese & lime juice mixture.
9. Boil the gelatin-water mix or if using powdered gelatin prepare it now. Mix the gelatin-mix with the combined cheese cake mixture.
10. Quickly add the combined cheese cake mixture on the top of the digestive/graham crumb mix in the springform tin.
11. Chill overnight or at least 4 hours in the refrigerator until set. Garnish with cut lime slices.

Stay tuned for more ideas for perfect Mexican fiesta party – for Cinco de Mayo or anytime of the year!

Disclosure: compensation was not provided for this post, but I do have a working relationship with Sauza tequila and they have sponsored other posts. My opinions are my own.

Valentine’s Day Cocktail Recipes

We asked a few of our friends what kind of cocktails are hot this Valentine’s Day and got tips from Hollywood and Las Vegas hotspots, and even from our friends at Nespresso.

Hollywood hot spot cocktails

The two first Valentine’s Day cocktails are courtesy of Hollywood hotspot, Lexington Social House. Celebrity fans of Lexington Social House include Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Christina Milian, Jonah Hill, Lake Bell, and many more. Lexington Social House shared two of their popular recipes. These two light and flavorful cocktails will be a hit for Valentine’s Day and also carry perfectly into the spring.

Honey Bee-Mine

Ingredients:
1 1/2oz Irish honey whiskey
1/2oz Lemon juice
1/2oz Simple syrup
1/4oz Grenadine

Instructions:
Shake over ice, strain into chilled champagne coup. Garnish with a strawberry.

The Tart Heart

Ingredients:
1 1/2oz Pink grapefruit vodka
3/4oz Maraschino liquor
1/2oz Lime juice
1/2oz Simple syrup
Dash of pomegranate bitters

Instructions:
Shake, strain over ice. Float black raspberry liqueur. Garnish with a sprig of Mint.

EFFEN® Chai Love’tini

This cocktail is nice and refreshing!

Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 parts EFFEN® Vodka
Peel of Lemon (use a knife or potato peeler to make a thick strip)
Peel of Orange
1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Water
4 dashes Fee Brothers Orange Bitters

Instructions:
In a mixing glass place sugar, water, bitters, and citrus peels skin side down. Lightly muddle peels into sugar to release oils and to dissolve sugar into water. Add remaining ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with lemon peel.

Nespresso Cappuccino a la Rose – For Two

This coffee drink is a perfect non-alcoholic dessert drink, or for the afternoon.

Ingredients:
2 capsules of Dulsão do Brasil
2 pieces of white chocolate
7 oz. of milk
1 oz. of rose-water
Crystallized rose petals

Instructions:
Heat your Cappuccino cups. Add a piece of white chocolate in each cup. Prepare the capsules of Dulsão do Brasil as an espresso and pour in each cup. Combine the milk and the rose-water. Prepare the flavored milk using the steam nozzle of your Nespresso machine or the Aeroccino milk frother. Pour the frothed milk into the cups and decorate with crystallized rose petals.

Toblerone Cocktail

Ingredients:
1/2 oz of hazelnut flavored liqueur for example Frangelico
1/2 oz of coffee flavored liqueur for example Kahlua
1/2 oz of Irish cream for example Baileys
1 tablespoon of honey
1 oz of cream
Chocolate syrup
Almond/pistachio/Toblerone chocolate shavings
Ice cubes

Instructions:
Add the Frangelico, Kahlua, Baileys, honey and cream into a cocktail shaker with the ice. Shake vigorously. Decorate the glass by pouring chocolate syrup into the side of the glass and rotate the glass to create a decorative pattern. Strain and pour the mix into the glass. Decorate with Toblerone or nut shavings.

This post is brought to you by Breville.

Secrets to super easy Holiday Entertaining

I like big parties and I can not lie: sometimes I tend to overdo it, and when I do, I am stressed, overwhelmed and hope that people would just leave!
There I said it. Isn’t it horrible?

The best parties are the ones where I call my husband at lunch time “hey, invite everyone over, let’s have a little party tonight.” Of course it’s not the most polite way to invite guests over, but with the live-in-the-moment invitations also come zero expectations of a party well-planned and the emphasis is always on having fun, like ANY party should be. Whether you are hosting a very well planned party, or an impromptu Holiday soiree, read these tips how to make it a success with a very little effort. For example I created this quick Holiday afternoon coffee pictured in an hour, including the baking time.

1. Know your party tip resources.
Also known as “join Pinterest”. I share everything I love on Pinterest, and find everything needed for hosting great parties. I have one board for party food and cocktails, another one where there are several of my friends too collecting the best cocktails, another one for party decorating, and one just for table settings. When I want to host a party – I typically immediately know which board to go to get the recipes or ideas needed. If you like it old school – have a binder with recipe and idea cutouts from your favorite magazines, or have a well-stocked cookbook library.

2. Learn to use what you have.
Hosting parties can be expensive, especially if you include the decorating as well. Learn to use what you have in hand, and learn to make easy centerpieces, like using edible things as part of the decorating (candy in bowls, fruit on a tray..). Choose a theme or color scheme and stick to it, and making it pretty in 15 minutes or less is easy.

For my afternoon coffee I used two large candle holders as my centerpiece but instead of candles I used Christmas ornaments inside them to give it a quick festive look. I chose blue, white and silver as my decorating colors and mixed old and new dishes that fit the color scheme. It’s OK to mix modern design and vintage finds!

3. Have a well-stocked kitchen.
While yes.. learn to use what you have, but also have a well-stocked kitchen and know how to use what you have. Let’s say you never use a specific kitchen gadget you have, but choose a recipe for your party that requires using the gadget, chances are you will need extra time just to learn to use the gadget. I recommend having simple white dinnerware and serving dishes that you can use in any themed party and easily mix with colors. I don’t believe in disposable plates or cups, but I do stock different colored paper napkins to easily set a colorful table. Entertaining is so much easier when you have the basics.

4. Have a well-stocked pantry
You probably have a few favorite party recipes, or have favorite Holiday time treats you like to offer for guests? Keep ingredients stocked for the entire Holiday season so you don’t have to worry about the basics when you plan your party. My basics during the Holidays are gingerbread cookies, chocolate pralines, assorted nuts and mulled wine, or what we call glögi in Finland, also ready to be warmed up and kept in a thermos for guests. I typically like keeping the spiced wine in the thermos when entertaining and brew the coffee nice and fresh. In addition you can never go wrong with crackers & cheese, and having a few puffy pastry sheets in the freezer for fast treats like the Toblerone Pastries.

5. Add music.
Holiday music has a mysterious way to put anyone into Holiday cheer, make sure you have some Holiday music that makes everyone in your party feel cheery whether it’s smooth Holiday jazz, or jingle bells, add some music to your party. To get you started… check out the Skimbaco Holiday Mix on Spotify.

Breville has released new, time saving products such as the YouBrew, just in time for the holidays! Create your perfect cup or pot of coffee instantly and easily with the Breville YouBrew. Check out their website for more information on this product and other great gift ideas.

And don’t forget to reply below for two chances to win your choice of amazing Breville products either for yourself or as a gift to a loved one: YouBrew, Tea Maker and Smart Oven products ($250 ARV)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Breville. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules

10 Recipes for Holiday Season

Thanksgiving is almost here, and Christmas is only 5 weeks away. Here are 10 recipes that you must try this Holiday season.

Source: tonyastaab.com via Skimbaco on Pinterest

1. Apple tart by Tonya Staab isn’t just pretty and delicious, but super easy, it uses store bought pastry sheets, which I typically have in my freezer, and we usually have apples as well – this is an easy dessert to fix even on last minute with the ingredients you already might have. I’ve made these already twice this fall.

2. Chicken Pot Pie Mini Appetizers at the Lady and the Blog looks like a great recipe for any Holiday parties.

Source: foodiecrush.com via Skimbaco on Pinterest

3. Mascarpone Pumpkin Mousse Cups look ridiculously good, but a little more trickier to make if you haven’t mastered the separating the egg yolks yet.

4. Salted caramel sauce at Inspirations by D is a perfect recipe for desserts and also for edible gift giving.

Source: gourmandeinthekitchen.com via Skimbaco on Pinterest

5. Baked Sweet Potatoes Stuffed with Feta, Olives and Sundried Tomatoes is a great alternative for sweet potato casserole and brings a little Mediterranean flavor to Thanksgiving table. I love mixing feta cheese and sweet potatoes.

6. Pear & Brie de Chevre (goat milk Brie) Tart was my recommendation for Mother’s Day, but an excellent brunch recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas brunches. I love the mixture of goat cheese and pears.

Source: betterinbulk.net via Skimbaco on Pinterest

7. Perfect Pumpkin Bread recipe at Better in Bulk sounds… well, perfect. If you haven’t made pumpkin bread yet this fall, try this recipe.

8. Spiced apple cider from Bon Appetit is a perfect hot drink to warm up after a day outdoors or after watching Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in the city streets.

Source: tastykitchen.com via Skimbaco on Pinterest

9. Roasted Sweet Potato & Quinoa Soup sounds like a perfect lighter dinner soup that tastes like the season is supposed to and gives you a lighter meal after you feel stuffed after all of the Thanksgiving food.

10. White Cranberry Apple Cider Cosmo found from The Centsible Life sounds like a perfect drink to celebrate the season. Bonus: you can drink it either cold or hot.

‘Refresh’ Wines By Turning Leaf

Looking for a great wine for celebrating summer and even for your 4th of July and other summer parties?
Skimbaco Lifestyle recommends checking out Turning Leaf’s new wine collection called “Refresh,” which comes in three varietals including Crisp White, Moscato and Red Moscato.

We especially recommend the Crisp White for hot summer nights and fun BBQ parties – or romantic wine tasting nights with your spouse.

Refresh is literally a refreshed take on wine, Refresh is crafted to offer a refreshing wine experience and it has nice amount of fizz and it is also a great wine mixer. Yes, you read it correctly – Refresh is great for mixed cocktails, sangria, punch and other mixed wine drinks. In addition to pouring a glass on its own, Turning Leaf’s winemaker also recommends enjoying it on ice garnished with an orange or lime wedge, or even as the base of a cooling wine cocktail. Its screw top enclosure helps maintain the delightful fizz and makes enjoying Refresh as approachable as its flavors.

Turning Leaf wanted to send me a few bottles of this goodness to taste, and I thought who would be better to judge wine than my beloved in-laws. My father-in-law Danny Presnal used to work for the Texas Department of Agriculture, and had to know everything there is to know about Texas wine for his job, and he even knows about having your own winery and making wine – yes, in the heartlands of Texas! I know Danny’s wine palette is more sophisticated than mine, and he is the master of picking great new wines. It was self-evident that the best people to send a few “test bottles” of Turning Leaf was to my in-laws in Texas.

Read Danny and Donna’s wine tasting notes and cocktail suggestions – and I think the #4 tells you how much time wine was enjoyed (literally) and that it’s a great pick for any summer celebrations, small or big. I also love the tasting notes on #3 and how Danny created the cocktail, and I just love the thought of thinking how my in-laws enjoyed this bottle of wine together, and my father-in-law wanted the moment (and the wine) to last for longer. So romantic, yet so practical, and he ended up creating the best summer cocktail – gotta love every bit of it!

Refresh Crisp White by Turning Leaf tasting notes & cocktail suggestion

“Refresh” By Turning Leaf

Crisp White
Light & Refreshing Style
2010 California

1. Straight, nothing added, over ice.
It is a light, crisp wine (nothing complex) with a slight ‘fizz’ (not as intense fizz as Champagne, but noticeable) that would be a good summertime on the patio type wine.

2. Over ice with a slice of lime (squeezed)
You could also add a slice of orange or other fruit. This enhanced the fruitiness of the wine and the lime made it more refreshing.

3. Over ice, with the lime and mixed it with ginger ale (2/3 wine, 1/3 ginger ale)
The third way we tried it was just something I thought about (actually the bottle was about empty and I thought this might be nice, and, it would get us two more glasses out of the bottle)… we tried it over ice, with the lime, AND, mixed it with ginger ale. This was actually the most refreshing way as the ginger ale added even more ‘fizz’. You could experiment with other ‘mixers’ as well (Sprite, 7Up, cranapple, crangrape, whatever).

4. Screw top is a nice feature
Although we didn’t have to make use of it (we drank the whole bottle in one sitting), the screw top cap is a nice feature (although I would usually shy away from screw tops). I would describe it as a fun wine, not complex and would go with food at a backyard party/BBQ. I don’t know what the normal retail price is, but I would expect to pay around $4-6.00 for this in the grocery store*.

* The Turning Leaf Refresh wines are $8 per bottle, but if you take Danny’s tip and make it last for longer with ginger ale or other mixer, you have yourself a very inexpensive summer drink that tastes refreshing.

Enjoy responsibly and with people you love!

Ps. The wine glass pictured is my favorite new everyday glass: Iittala Lempi Glass – it’s a bit like the Refresh wines – great for multi-purpose, for enjoy wine, cocktails or even milk, from everyday to parties.

Disclosure: Turning Leaf sent us some wine, but we’ve been lovers of wine for centuries, or since legal drinking age, and our opinions are our own.

Did you already see the piñata cookies that SheKnows.com created in honor of Cinco de Mayo? They’ve gotten quite an attention online and even made it on TV. The multi-striped, burro piñata sugar cookies are hollow so you can fill them with a candy. SheKnows has a step by step recipe and instructional video to make the piñata cookies.

The piñata cookies most likely will not make it to your Cinco de Mayo table this year — unless you are a total overachiever and love food coloring. Since the cookie recipe doesn’t look the easiest one out there, I collected a few simple recipes that you still can make this weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Or let me know, if you will try to create the piñata cookies!

MANGO MARGARITA

I loved visiting Hotel California in Todos Santos, and we had a fantastic lunch in the hotel restaurant, and one of the local specialty drinks was Mango Margarita since the region was famous for its mangos. Here is a mango margarita recipe courtesy of Sauza tequila that I think you’ll love.

MANGO MARGARITA RECIPE
Ingredients: (Serves 4)

½ cup Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila*
¼ cup JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
2 large ripe mangos (about 1 ½ cups)
1 cup fresh orange juice
⅓ cup lime juice
¼ cup Simple Syrup
2 cups ice
1 lime
Sugar or Salt for rimming the glasses

*If Sauza® Blue Silver isn’t available, try Sauza® Silver
Instructions:
Peel, seed and chop your mango. (If you can’t find nice ripe ones at the grocery, opt for the Individually Quick Frozen cubes in the freezer section). If you have time you can freeze your prepared mango at this point. Otherwise, put all ingredients except for the ice into your blender and blend until smooth. Then add the ice. Prepare your glasses by rubbing the rims with a lime wedge and then dipping the rims into a plate of either salt or sugar, depending on what you or your guests prefer. Pour the margarita into the prepared glasses and enjoy!

CINCO DE MAYO MENU

As one of the top 10 lifestyle sites for women, SheKnows has a recipe collection that includes much more than the now famous piñata cookies. Below is a list of other recipes suitable for Cinco de Mayo and other summer celebrations courtesy of SheKnows.com.

Sweet and Salty Watermelon and Feta Salad
Watermelon
Feta
Romaine hearts
Olive oil
pepper
fresh mint (or basil)

Cube the watermelon and mix with crumbled feta, serve on a bed of crisp romaine hearts (or spring greens). Drizzle the salad with olive oil and add pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh mint or basil.

Gazpacho Soups

Chilled soups are great for any summer celebrations. Try a traditional tomato gazpacho, or check out different versions at SheKnows.com

Bacon Guacamole
Now.. if you want to give a new twist to an old favorite, pair your tortilla chips with Bacon Guacamole, recipe by Savoring the Thyme.

Tequila Lime Shrimp

The Tequila Lime Shrimp is a perfect dish for summer parties, check out the easy recipe at Sauza’s site.

Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
And a Mexican summer party wouldn’t be perfect without churros! Check out Nigella Lawson’s churros recipe.

Enjoy!

PS. To connect with the Mexican tourism board and get info on everything Mexico, and Cinco de Mayo, check out facebook.com/WeVisitMexico.

Source/photos: SheKnows.com, Sauza, Food Network

Disclosure: I have been on a paid trip to Mexico courtesy of the Mexican Tourism Board, and participated in a paid campaign with Sauza tequila, but this post was not compensated by anyone and truly reflects my love for Mexican cuisine and culture.