Cinco de Mayo Margaritas

This Saturday is Cinco de Mayo! Celebrated on May 5, it is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla). The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico—which is actually celebrated on September 16.

This weekend we'll be celebrating at our tasting tables with samples of tequilas and mixers for you! What a great week to pick up a bottle of nice tequila and mix up some margaritas with friends? (Hint: Keep an eye in your Bottle Club newsletters this week for a special coupon!)

The Margarita, created in Tijuana in the late 1940s, is probably the best known tequila cocktail of them all. Its saltiness and sourness make it a great aperitif, and it is pleasingly strong, too. Some recipes use lemon juice instead of lime, but lime juice sharpens its bite.

Here's how you make a traditional Margarita:

-1 1/2 measures tequila
-1/2 measure Cointreau
-juice of a lime

Rub the rim of a cocktail glass with a wedge of fresh lime, then dip it in fine salt. Shake the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice with plenty of ice, and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime slice, or for an unexpected surprise, a twist of cucumber.