Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Cinco de Mayo Party

Festive Vibes Only: Why Cinco de Mayo Is Worth Celebrating

Are you planning a get-together for Cinco de Mayo? Are you searching for simple, easy-to-make Cinco de Mayo recipes? We're here to help.

Cinco De Mayo is the perfect time of the year to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage with food, cocktails, and get-togethers. In this guide, we'll teach you how to throw the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration. Here's how to get started:

Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Ideas to Impress Your Guests

When you think of Cinco de Mayo cocktails, your mind likely goes straight to a margarita or Paloma! These cocktails are a Mexican staple, perfect for any occasion you have planned. If you're looking to add a playful spin on a classic, here are four easy-to-make Cinco de Mayo recipes to consider:

Spicy Mango Margarita with Tajín Rim

Looking for the perfect blend of sweet and spicy? You can't go wrong with a tangy mango margarita.

• 2 oz IGNITE Tequila Blanco
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 1 oz Orange Liqueur
• 2 oz Mango Puree

Start by salting the rim with lime and Tajin. Next, combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled and blended. Pour the drink into your glass with ice and enjoy!

Pineapple Coconut Margarita for a Tropical Twist

Tangy, tropical, and refreshing. This pineapple coconut margarita is a sweet, creamy cocktail that pairs perfectly with homemade guacamole!
2 oz IGNITE Tequila Blanco
1 oz Coconut Cream
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz Lime Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well until blended and chilled. Next, pour the drink over ice in a glass of your choice. Option to garnish the Cinco De Mayo cocktail with a piece of pineapple for an extra finishing touch!

Grapefruit-Rosemary Paloma with a Kick

Enjoy an aromatic favorite with our grapefruit-rosemary paloma cocktail recipe. This tart yet floral cocktail is a crowd-favorite that your guests will love at your Cinco de Mayo celebration.

• 2 oz. Water
• 3 oz. IGNITE Tequila Blanco
• 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice
• 1 oz. Lime Juice
• 2 oz. Rosemary Simple Syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and mix until blended. Pour over ice into a glass and top with sparkling water. Option to garnish the drink with rosemary or a grapefruit slice. For a more smokier cocktail, consider using IGNITE Reposado instead. 

Añejo Paloma with Chili Salt Rim

Are you looking for a smoky, full-bodied taste? Switch things up with an Añejo tequila Paloma.

• 2 oz. of IGNITE Tequila Añejo
• 4 oz. Grapefruit Soda
• 1/2 Lime Juice
  

Start by adding chili salt to the rim of your glass. Next, pour tequila and lime juice into a glass with ice. Top with your favorite grapefruit soda and stir until blended.

Unique Cinco de Mayo Party Food Ideas

You can't throw a Cinco de Mayo celebration without great food and appetizers! Once you have your cocktails picked out, here are three Cinco de Mayo foods to consider having at your party:

Margarita Guacamole  

Margarita guacamole is guacamole made with our favorite: tequila! Adding your favorite tequila to the recipe can give your guacamole a slight margarita taste. This is a bold, playful spin on a classic everyone will love. Here's the recipe:

• 1 tbsp. IGNITE Tequila Blanco
• 1 tbsp. Orange Liqueur
• 6 Chopped Green Onions
• 2 Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 Whole Jalapeno
• 2 tbsp. Chopped Cilantro
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 3 Whole Avocados
• 3 tbsp. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
  

Mix all ingredients together in a serving bowl. To stick to the Cinco De Mayo theme, serve the guacamole in margarita glasses with tortilla chips.

7 Layer Dip

This Cinco de Mayo party food is a crowd favorite. This delicious appetizer is easy to make and there's always plenty to go around. You can also pick and choose which layers you want to include. The most popular seven layers include the following:

• Refried Beans
• Guacamole
• Sour Cream
• Salsa
• Cheese
• Pico de Gallo
• Olives
  

Put all seven layers together in a dish, serve, and enjoy!

White Queso Dip With Green Chilies 

White queso dip is another crowd-pleaser. It's a great party food that people will snack on throughout the night. It's also relatively easy to make on your own. All you need to do is add American cheese, pepper jack, and evaporated milk in a saucepan. Let this melt over low heat. You can add green chiles and spices for an extra kick. Serve it up with tortilla chips, and enjoy!

Creative Cocktail and Food Pairings

To take your Cinco de Mayo celebration to the next level, consider strategically pairing specific cocktails with party snacks. Here are five of our favorite cocktail and food pairings:

• Margarita Guacamole With a Margarita
• 7 Layer Dip With a Paloma
• Beef Taquitos With a Tequila Old Fashioned
• Queso With a Classic Margarita
• Tacos With a Tequila Tasting
  

Tips for a Stress-Free Cinco de Mayo Party

Planning a big party isn't easy! Here's how you can plan ahead for the occasion:

• Send out invitations so you can get a head count
• Choose a fun, playful theme and buy decorations
• Buy cocktail glasses and garnishes to complete the look
• Decide what you want to cook and what you want to buy
• Find a classic Mexican music playlist you can play during the event
• Consider making mocktails for your friends who don’t drink
• Don't forget to have fun!

Planning a celebration for your friends or family should be a fun experience! While you look for the best Cinco de Mayo party food and think through what cocktail you want to make, be sure to stock up your bar cart with IGNITE Spirits. Our tequilas are made with 100% Blue Weber agave. Whether you're looking for a simple blanco tequila or a smoky Añejo, we have you covered.

Find a store near you or shop our tequila collection today.