| Cinco de Mayo is a holiday, which is traditionally | | | | party. |
| associated with Mexican food and drink; and of | | | | Of course, not all of your party guests are adults; |
| course, no Cinco de Mayo party is truly complete | | | | and others may not consume alcohol due to |
| without refreshing Cinco de Mayo drinks. There | | | | disliking the taste, for religious reasons or due to |
| are several choices, ranging from the old | | | | health concerns. However, there are plenty of |
| standbys like margaritas to lesser known Mexican | | | | options available for Cinco de Mayo drinks, which |
| cocktails as well as a wide variety of non-alcoholic | | | | do not involve alcohol. For instance, soft drinks |
| beverages for children and teetotalers. | | | | from Mexico are becoming more widely available |
| Let us begin with the classics: Mexican beer and | | | | in the United States. One brand which is easy to |
| tequila. Many Mexican brands are imported to the | | | | find is Jarritos; try some of the uniquely Mexican |
| US and around the world. Corona is of course the | | | | flavors like tamarind (tamarindo), hibiscus |
| best known of these brands, but you may want | | | | (Jamaica) or mango for something different, |
| to try some others like Modelo or Pacifico if you | | | | refreshing and definitely a perfect fit for the |
| have not yet had the pleasure. | | | | holiday. |
| Tequila is Mexico's best known type of spirits. | | | | Horchata and aguas frescas are also great |
| Distilled from the agave plant (a relative of aloe), | | | | choices for Cinco de Mayo drinks. Horchata is a |
| this fiery tipple is always a favorite among Cinco | | | | sweetened rice milk, which is typically spiked with |
| de Mayo drinks, whether sipped on its own or in | | | | cinnamon. Horchata actually comes from Spain |
| cocktails like the ever popular Margarita. There are | | | | originally, but has become so much a part of |
| entirely too many different brands and styles on | | | | Mexican cuisine that it is a natural beverage for |
| the market to list here; the choice is up to you | | | | Cinco de Mayo. |
| and your particular tastes. | | | | Aguas frescas are a punch usually made from |
| Margaritas are a drink, which are popular year | | | | fruit, sugar and water, though hibiscus flower is |
| round, both as the original style made from | | | | also a very popular type of agua fresca. Try |
| tequila, triple sec, and lime juice and in a wide | | | | Mexican favorites like mango, cantaloupe or guava |
| variety of different flavors. They are easy to | | | | agua fresca for some cool refreshment, which |
| make yourself (if you have a blender that can | | | | kids and adults alike will love; and some say that it |
| crush ice) or you can use frozen mixes. These | | | | makes a great chaser for tequila as well! As they |
| drinks are always a hit at any Cinco de Mayo | | | | say in Mexico, salud! |