Let’s face it—for most of us, Cinco de Mayo is all about the drinks. Sure, you need something to soak up the alcohol so you throw in some tacos or fajitas, but what you are really celebrating are the cocktails.
While there is debate on whether they are Spanish or Mexican in true origin, no Cinco de Mayo party is complete without margaritas and sangria. There are lots of margarita recipes out there, but the excellent ones have the same thing in common—real lime juice! Don’t take a shortcut and use limeade, weird bottled products claiming to be margaritas, or lime from concentrate with preservatives that give it an awful aftertaste. Juice your own limes and you will not be disappointed with your margaritas. My favorite recipe comes from Ina Garten in Barefoot Contessa Parties and adds a fresh lemon to the mix. If you are looking for the real thing, this is it. You can find it here.
As for sangria, for me this drink is hit or miss. I’m picky about my sangria—I don’t like it with cinnamon or wine that is too dry. It needs to be really cold and the fruit must have soaked long enough to turn red. If I plan to serve it at night, I always make it in the morning.
My friend Bob offered his sangria recipe to me, and I have held on to that scrap of paper for more than 15 years. Having gone to school in New Orleans, Bob’s drink recipes were usually delicious and foolproof. This was no exception. Make sure you use an extra large pitcher, serve with lots of ice, and make more than you think—there is rarely a drop left when I serve this. As several of my friends have discovered, this drink goes down perhaps a little too easily, so consider yourself warned.
Enjoy, amigos!
Bob’s Sangria
1 bottle red wine (I use Trader Joe’s Shiraz or Cabarnet)
1 cup good orange juice*
1 cup Sprite
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1/4 cup Kirschwasser (cherry brandy)
Fruit of your choice (I like a combination of apples, pears, oranges or pineapple)
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate for about eight hours. Serve over ice.
*The quality of the orange juice drastically affects the outcome of this drink. Fresh-squeezed is best. Anything from concentrate should not be used.
