six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

Well hello there, May 1. And just like that, another month is upon us. Thankfully, May welcomes us with one of the very best days of the year – Cinco de Mayo – and it is just 5 days away! If you haven’t previously noticed, I thoroughly enjoy all things pertaining to tequila. I don’t think I’ve ever met a margarita that I don’t like. Ok correction – any that come out of machine are really bad. But that’s because it is SO easy to make a really good margarita at home.

To ensure you’re fully prepped for this Saturday, I’ve rounded up my favorite margaritas from over the years and a couple recipes from friends.

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

Most likely our most popular margarita recipe to date, the Grapefruit Margarita is as delicious as it is pretty.

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

If you want a margarita with a little sweet and a little spice, you’ll like the Tiki Rita. It’s got a few more ingredients than the tried and true, but it’s worth the fuss.

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

If you’re one of those people who only drink margaritas blended, I will forgive, but you must at least make your own. This Slushy Coconut Mint Margarita should immediately transport you to preferred tropical location.

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

The Coralina Margarita combines a margarita with my other favorite thing – red wine! This margarita recipe was created by Riesler Morale, a mixologist from Mexico City and offers a touch of sweetness with simple syrup and a sugared rim.

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

I wouldn’t think to add veggies into margaritas, but this Garden Margarita by my friend Ashley at Craft & Cocktails adds fruity and herbaceous notes with Earl Gray tea and apricot liqueur. This would be a good option for someone who thinks they don’t like tequila.

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

This cocktail is technically a Paloma – which mixes a larger proportion of grapefruit juice with tequila – but I’m throwing it in here just to mix things up. And this one, by Sugar & Cloth, adds a kick with jalapeno simple syrup!

six margaritas for cinco de may on apartment 34

As a little bonus recipe, I also wanted to share an option for the tequila averse among us. I got your back pregnant mamas (or perhaps you want a Cinco de Mayo option for the kiddos). This Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca recipe is sure to be a winner.

What are your Cinco de Mayo plans? Since it’s on a Saturday this year, we can really celebrate from sunup to sundown. Though I wouldn’t recommend starting your margaritas quite that early. But I’m all for breakfast burritos!

If you need some tacos to go with your margs, CLICK HERE for the perfect recipe.

It’s the first day of spring which means it’s time to celebrate! I might have done a little too much celebrating for my friend’s birthday last night which is why this post is coming at you at noon, but better late than never. Last week I shared my new favorite recipe, the ultimate crowd pleaser Chilaquiles Verde. If you missed it, (and the huge sneak peek of my kitchen!) click here. Today we’re back with a spring cocktail also straight from the Doña Tomas brunch menu. This one is a perfect refresher to usher in the new season, but it comes with a little kick that is guaranteed to impress your friends. But really any cocktail novice can knock this baby out. I give you the Celorita.

spicy spring cocktail recipe on apartment 34spicy spring cocktail recipe on apartment 34spicy spring cocktail recipe on apartment 34spicy spring cocktail recipe on apartment 34spicy spring cocktail recipe on apartment 34spicy spring cocktail recipe on apartment 34

Now, she’s a little herbaceous, a little spicy and most importantly, incredibly delicious. Mezcal adds an additional depth of flavor and a touch of agave offers the perfect hint of sweetness. And I think her happy green color is just perfect for spring. You could definitely pair this cocktail with food or simply enjoy one on the first semi-warm day of the season (I’m counting down, aren’t you!). No matter when or where you decide to mix up a Celorita, you’re definitely going to want to give this baby a try.

RECIPE: THE CELORITA

Ingredients
6 slices celery
2 slices cucumber
8-10 cilantro leaves
.5 oz agave
1.5 oz habanero infused vida mezcal
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz lime juice
slice of cucumber & chile salt for garnish

Directions
Muddle the celery, cucumber, cilantro, and agave in your cocktail shaker. Put your back into it a bit. Then add the vida mezcal, the pineapple juice and the lime juice and ice. Shake it like crazy, and strain over fresh ice garnish with cucumber dipped in chile salt

Dare you to ditch mimosas and serve this baby at your upcoming Easter brunches! Don’t forget to check out why I so love Doña Tomas here.

For our entire cocktail archive CLICK HERE.

What’s better than tomorrow being a Friday? It being Cinco de Mayo! Only a tequila lover’s favorite day of the year. Did you catch my post about the Patrón TikiRita a couple of weeks back? It was in the running to be selected as the Margarita of the Year. Sadly, it did not win, but I’m the first to agree that the winner is indeed quite deserving. Keep scrolling for the margarita recipe that is going to take your Cinco de Mayo to the next level.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year on Apartment 34

The winning Margarita of the Year, the Coralina, was created by Riesler Morale, a mixologist from Mexico City. The recipe combines two of my favorite things: tequila and….wait for it….wine! Yes, I realize it sounds a touch crazy, but the result is stunning.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year on Apartment 34
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year on Apartment 34Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year on Apartment 34apt34xpatronEDITS (3 of 4)apt34-cinco-de-mayo

For this Cinco de Mayo party, I combined the Coralina with a tasty elevated version of the street taco. I snagged the recipe from the Bay Area grocery delivery service Good Eggs. I had the Mushroom & Potato Adobe Tacos in one of Good Egg’s new dinner kits and even though the taco is vegetarian, it makes a hearty meal. The spiciness of the adobo sauce also pairs perfectly with the salty-sweetness of the Coralina. They’re both total crowd pleasers.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year on Apartment 34Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year on Apartment 34

So tomorrow, ditch the pitchers and chips and sip a margarita that has some serious style.

Patrón Margarita of the Year Recipe: the Coralina

Ingredients

1.75 oz Patrón Reposado
.75 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange
1 oz Fresh lime juice
.75 oz Simple syrup
.5 oz Red Wine (Mexican, or other. I used a red blend by Tank called All or Nothing)
+ Sugar-salt rim*

Method

1. Combine Patrón Reposado, Patrón Citrónge Orange, simple syrup and lime juice in a shaker tin; add ice and shake vigorously.

2. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe rimmed with sugar-salt rim.*

3. Carefully float red wine on the surface of the cocktail. Note: floating the wine into the margarita isn’t the easiest of things. Google searches say slowly pouring the wine over the back of a cocktail spoon will help keep the liquors from combining. You also want your wine to be nice and chilled. But should they happen to mix, no worries. The drink tastes just as good!

* Sugar-salt rim:
Pulverize .25 cup dried hibiscus in a spice grinder. Add .25 cup sugar and .25 cup kosher salt and pulse until combined.

And Patrón is offering an awesome way to elevate your Cinco de Mayo celebrations tomorrow. Tweet #PatronMyCinco to purchase a bottle of Patrón Silver delivered within an hour. Added bonus: readers in Chicago and New York City (21+) who tweet #PatronMyCinco can purchase a Patrón Party in A Box for delivery within 1 hour as part of their new on-demand delivery. The box will include all the ingredients for the Margarita of the Year (the Coralina Margarita) along with some Cinco deMayo swag. Consider your Cinco de Mayo taken care of!

Salud!

 

For all of my favorite margarita recipes, CLICK HERE

 

original photography for apartment 34 by andrea posadas / food styling by tracy shutterbean / tableware c/o elsie green

This post is in partnership with Patrón. The perfect way to enjoy Patrón is responsibly. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep our doors open.

The holiday season is filled with treats. From cookies and pies to chocolates and candy canes, it seems everywhere you look, there’s something sweet to be had. But I try to resist all of those temptations (save a cheat now and then). That’s because I like to save my holiday indulgences for Oatmeal Cookies. No, not the kind you eat, but the kind you drink!

apt34_oatmeal_cookie

The Oatmeal Cookie is the perfect holiday cocktail. Slightly sweet, slightly spicy with a nice little kick. I like that the drink is much lighter than Eggnog and not quite as in your face as a Hot Toddy or as sugary sweet as Hot Buttered Rum. I love to sip on my Oatmeal Cookie after dinner, enjoy one while wrapping (or unwrapping!) presents, or serve them as a pretty option at a holiday party.

But perhaps the very best part about the Oatmeal Cookie cocktail? It is the easiest holiday drink to make. Seriously. Scroll below for the complete recipe and instructions. Don’t blink or you might miss them.

apt34_oatmealcookie4apt34_oatmealcookie3apt34_oatmealcookie2

RECIPE: OATMEAL COOKIE COCKTAIL

Ingredients

1 part Goldschlager
1 part Baileys Irish Cream
1 part Butterscotch Schnapps
ice

Instructions

Mix one shot Goldschlager, one shot Baileys Irish Cream and one shot Butterscotch Schnapps in a cocktail shaker over ice. Give it a good shake. Pour into glasses.

If you want to fancy up your Cookie a bit, you can double the recipe (as I did above), add a jumbo square ice cube to each glass (these trays make it easy), garnish with cinnamon sticks (I rolled mine in sanding sugar) and sprinkle a little cinnamon over the top.

Regardless of how you pour them, I guarantee you’re going to love these Oatmeal Cookies. Surprise your friends at your annual cookie swap party. I have a feeling you’ll still win first prize!

original photography for apartment 34 by ashley batz