Cinco De Mayo Party

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May is a national holiday in Mexico. It commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over a French invasion in 1862. In Mexico, it is celebrated with feasts, and parades, and dancing in the street. Bring a little Mexican flair to your Cinco de Mayo party with these tips:

The Invitation:

-Free-hand draw a sombrero or find a template online. Using your computer’s paint program write on the sombrero your party specifics and print. Cut out the sombreros and send them in envelopes.

Dress:

-Traditionally both men and women wear all white-pants for men and flowing skirts for women. Women also accent their outfits with colorful jewelry and flowers.

Decoration:

-Decorations should be as festive as possible. You can find the following decorations at craft and party supply stores.

Colorful flowers (paper if possible)
Crepe streamers
Sombreros (mini sombreros would make great place card holders!)
Balloons in red, white, and green
Mexican flags
Red, white, and green candles


Activities:

-Hang a piñata and lets both children and adults take their turn trying to break it open. You could use more than one if you like.
-Play mariachi music and encourage your guests to dance along.
-If there are children present give them some tambourines and mini drums (available for little cost and discount stores) and let them have a parade.

The Food:

-Create a Mexican meal with traditional recipes you can find online. Serve buffet style.


Gucamole and Tomatillos

2 ripe avocados
6 tomatillos
2 cloves of garlic
1 yellow or white onion
2 tablespoons of cilantro
salt

Grind up the garlic with the salt and chiles.

Once well ground, add the tomatillos, avocados and grind a little more.

To garnish the guacamole, put sliced onion and chopped cilantro on top. Serve immediately.

Classic Sangria:

750 ml dry red wine
6 orange slices, thick
6 lemon slices, thick
2 tbsp triple sec
2 tbsp brandy
1 tbsp white sugar
750 ml club soda, chilled
20-30 ice cubes

In a large chilled pitcher, combine the red wine, orange and lemon slices, triple sec and brandy with 1 tbsp of sugar.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours.

Before serving add club soda and ice, taste and adjust sugar or soda as preferred.

Summer Sangria:

½ c white sugar
½ c triple sec
½ c brandy
2 bottles dry white wine
1 bottle club soda, chilled
1c honeydew melon balls
1 c cantaloupe balls
½ c lemon slices, thin
½ c lime slices, thin
1c strawberries, whole
15 ice cubes

In a large chilled pitcher, combine the sugar, orange liqueur, brandy and white wine.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 1/2 hours.

When ready to serve slowly stir in club soda to taste.

Add all the fruit and ice cubes and ENJOY.