In the year 1862, the Mexican militia battled the French army in the Battle of Puebla. While the Mexican militia had only 4,500 soldiers and were poorly equipped, one would have thought that the French army, who stood tall and mighty with an estimated 6,500 men, would have dictated their own victorious outcome. This was not the case. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican militia celebrated their victory over the French army. This victory was particularly victorious because it allowed Mexico to regain their sense of national unity. This holiday is mostly celebrated in and near the capital city of Mexico, Puebla, and in other areas with a significant Mexican population.

If you’re celebrating this Mexican holiday, trade in your usual for a Mexican staple. Here are a few to get you started:

Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
• 6 fluid ounces tequila
• 2 fluid ounces triple sec

Recipe: Fill blender with crushed ice. Pour in limeade concentrate, tequila, and triple sec. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Paloma

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces blanco or Reposado tequila
• 6 ounces fresh grapefruit soda (Squirt)
• ½ ounce lime juice

Recipe:  Rim a Collins glass with salt. Fill the glass with ice and add the tequila and lime juice. Top it off with grapefruit soda.

Michelada

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces dark beer
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 dashes Worcestershire
• 1 dash soy sauce
• 1 dash Tabasco sauce
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 dash salt

Recipe: In a beer glass, pour ingredients over ice and mix. Add beer, mix, and serve.

Tepache

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe pineapple (3 lbs)
• 12 cups water
• 20 ounces raw or brown sugar
• 1 3-inch stick cinnamon
• 3 whole cloves

Recipe: Wash the pineapple thoroughly, remove the stem, and cut the pineapple into large pieces (rind and all). Place the pineapple chunks in a large bowl. Add 8 cups of the water, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Cover and let stand in a warm place for 48 hours. Strain the tepache and add 4 cups of water. If you prefer, add 1 cup of beer (lager) and let it stand an additional 12 hours. Then, strain and add 3 cups of water.

Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Click here to share your drink of choice on this historical Mexican holiday…