Booze Clues: 5 Cinco de Mayo Sippers

Party! Fiesta! Forever! 

It's Cinco de Mayo, which has basically become "Cinco de Drinko" in the US. (FYI: Cinco de Mayo does NOT commemorate Mexico's Independence. Instead, it celebrates the Mexican army's unlikely 1862 defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla.) While some will enjoy drinks at their favorite bars, others will keep things a little more lowkey and toast at home.  If you're among the latter group, here are some drinks you might want to try (don't worry. They're not all margaritas):

Riazul Plata “Nuevo Manhattan” – created by Leo Robitschek

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ oz Riazul Plata Tequila

½ oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth

½ oz Punt e Mes

½ oz Combier Orange Liqueur

½ oz Nonino Amaro

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

METHOD:

Stir and Strain into a coupe

Victory- Available at Toca Madera, Hollywood:

INGREDIENTS:

Throw 10-12 leaves of fresh mint in highball

.75oz lime juice 

.25 simple syrup

.5 oz Ancho Reyes Liqueur

1.5 oz Herradura Silver Tequila

METHOD:

Build ingredients in tin. Shake and strain into highball. Top off with ice. Add four dashes of the chile arbol infused Peychaud bitters. Garnish with mint sprig. 

Petal Pistol from Lock & Key Social Drinkery (Named the best margarita in LA)

INGREDIENTS:

1oz Blanco tequila

.5oz hibiscus infused apple jack

1oz Cointreau

.75 lime

.25 simple syrup

1 dash Aztec chocolate bitters

METHOD:

Salt the rim of a rocks glass. Build ingredients over Tajun Ice.

For those counting calories: 

Parrot Bay Margarita with Coconut Water

Refrigerate can of Parrot Bay Margarita. Serve over ice. (150 calories)

2 Skinny Drunks Classic Margarita

INGREDIENTS:

2 Ounces 2 Skinny Drunks Premium Organic Margarita Mix (45 calories) buy HERE

1 Ounce Premium Tequila

METHOD:

Shake ingredients with ice. Pour over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime. 

BOOze Clues: 5 Festive Halloween Cocktails

Trick, Treat, Toast!

It's Halloween, and you've got your costume figured out. However, you were so busy shopping that you forgot all about the cocktails. (Insert horror movie scream.) Fret not... Whether you're hosting your own party or attending one at a friend's house, we have cocktail suggestions that will surely put the boo in your boogie. (Yeah, that was candy corny, but oh well.) Anyway, the drinks:

Doing shots?

American Honey Hellfire Shot

American Honey Hellfire
1 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
1/2 oz. Art in the Age SNAP
1/2 oz. Combier Peche de Vigne

Combine ingredients over ice. Shake well  and strain into a shot glass (glass only!). Top with a splash of American Honey. If you dare... (AND are completely sober) light a candle or match and hold over shot glass until it ignites. Blow out the flame and drink, but be careful because the glass will be hot. (From the mind of Eric Binder, beverage director at NYC's Harlem Tavern.)


In the mood for something sweet?

Pinnacle Vodka Bobbing for Apples Cocktail

Pinnacle Vodka Bobbing for Apples

2 parts Pinnacle Caramel Apple Vodka
1/2 part DeKuyper Buttershots Schnapps
2 parts apple cidercider

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with caramel on the rim.


Feeling fancy?

Hendrick's Gin Mortal Sin Cocktail

Peche Mortel (The Mortal Sin)
2 parts Hendrick's Gin
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part Saint Germain
1/2 part elderberry juice
2 dashes Bitter Truth Creole Bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice and double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an edible flower.

Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos?

Sauza Tequila Cafe Loco Cocktail

Sauza Tequila Café Loco
1 1/2 parts Sauza Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila
1/2 part Kamira Coffee Liqueur
4 parts coffee
2 tsp cinnamon sugar
Whipped cream

Blend all ingredients in a mug. Top with whipped cream.


Counting calories?

Skinnygirl Vodka Spooky Sipper cocktail

Spooky Sipper
1 part Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka
3 parts lemon-lime sparkling water
Splash of cherry juice
Lime wheel and cherry for garnish

Blend ingredients over ice. Shake and strain into rocks glass full of ice.