Your Quick and Easy Guide to Throwing a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Cinco de Mayo is here and we are in the fiesta mood!
Before you celebrate Mexican culture with a round of tacos and margs, it’s not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with the origins of this holiday. To learn more about what Cinco de Mayo is all about, you can check out our last post for some quick facts.
Now that you’ve freshened up on your Cinco de Mayo history, it’s time to plan the ultimate fiesta to celebrate. Don’t know where to start? Worried that it’s only days away? Don’t stress, because our quick and easy guide to a successful Cinco de Mayo party is here!
Eats
Food is a very important part of Mexican culture-- it’s more than just a meal, it’s an experience! This is, of course, our favorite part of the party.
Mexican Street Corn aka elote
This classic Mexican street food has become a favorite for many in the United States. Easy and delicious to make, it’s the perfect side to serve at your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. In our version of the elote recipe, we’ve swapped butter with our SALSAOLOGY Ancho Chile & Tamarind Sauce and topped it with a sprinkle of queso fresco.
Tacos are a fan favorite. You can’t go wrong with this option. Especially with all the different type of meat and non-meat options! With a taco bar station, your guests have the option mixing and matching ingredients to their liking. Set the different cooked meats, roasted vegetables, and toppings (cilantro, pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, corn, etc.) in separate bowls next to your choice of tortilla (flour or corn).
Whether you’re in the mood for serving fish or vegetables, we’ve got you covered. Click here for all our taco recipes.
In the spirit of the holiday, we decided to include a recipe the originated in the state of Puebla (where the Mexican army was victorious over the French army-- the reason we celebrate on Cinco de Mayo). Chicken Tinga is essentially shredded chicken in a tomato based sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to tostadas to quesadillas!
What better way to kick off your Cinco de Mayo party than with a tray— yes, a tray— of nachos? Cauliflower chorizo nachos to be exact, topped with all the works. This quick recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser and keep your guests munching until the rest of the food is served.
Drinks
It’s a no-brainer that margaritas are the go-to Cinco de Mayo drink. And as delicious as a classic margarita is, we say why not take your cocktails to the next level this year? All you have to do is add a little sauce. YES, sauce.
The Salsarita, as we like to call it, is our version of a margarita. It’s super easy to make and a crowd pleaser!
If you’re more of a mezcal than tequila person, we suggest our Smoky Pineapple Mezcal Cocktail (this one has sauce too!).
And we can't forget Micheladas! We put our twist on this classic by incorporating our Chile Negro & Hibiscus sauce.
Music
No party is complete without music! Whether you set up a karaoke station or are playing it over the speakers to set the ambiance-- your playlist can make or break the party’s mood.
While the Salsa genre is quite festive, it’s not Mexican. We’ve gathered up a few songs with plenty of orgullo Mexicano to get you started on creating the perfect Cinco de Mayo playlist to set the fiesta mood.
Decorations
There is nothing wrong with wanting to deck out your space in trendy decor to get in the spirit of the holiday and provide your guests with plenty of photo opportunities! The important thing is to do it tastefully. That means resisting the urge to wear the stereotypical “Mexican costumes” consisting of ponchos, sombreros, and fake mustaches. There are plenty of ways to decorate your space and still be able to leave the costumes out.
Set the party mood by hanging colorful paper lanterns and papel picado banners around the party space (whether it’s indoors or outdoors). As the sun goes down, these decorations will provide both light and color to keep the festivities going.
You can find both these decor options at most party supply stores or online at Etsy or Amazon.
Succulents make great table centerpieces for this occasion-- especially the ones that look like mini agave plants. After all, tequila and mezcal are made from agave! And as an added bonus, the succulents can double up as the guests’ party favors at the end of the gathering!
Ditch the plastic tablecloths and lay out colorful serapes (woven blankets) to add even more color to your set up. If you’re hosting your party outside, you can also keep these blankets in a basket and have them available for guests to keep warm as the sun begins to set!
Add a little extra pop of color with table settings and pillows! We're currently loving these from Lola y Tula.
Leave a comment