I learned long ago that when life hands me limes, it’s up to me to figure out how to turn them into something tasty.
So when this sunny Cinco de Mayo crept up on me – and me, a margarita aficionado had no plans, I had to spring into recovery mode to turn limes into margaritas.
5 Ideas for Cinco de Mayo Fun (for people like me who lack planning skills)
1. Make Guacamole and cry tears of joy. You can pick up all the ingredients on your way home and whip up a little love in a bowl. Since Guacamole is avocado mixed with anything, recipes vary. I like the simple set up that lets the ingredients stand out. My guacamole/guacrackole/crackamole recipe is:
- 2 Avocados, mashed but chunky
- 1 medium onion, white, chopped, about a cup
- 1 medium tomato, juice and seeds removed, chopped
- Cilantro to taste
- Jalapeno to taste
- Sea Salt to taste
- Liberal dash of love
- Mix but don’t mush!
- Eat fast so you don’t have to share!
2. Make Scarlet Margaritas! I found this recipe on myrecipe.com. We have recipe/taste tested and my independent panel of judges approve. The drinks are festive and a taste sensation. Win/Win.
Scarlet Margs!
3. Make Margaritas from Mix! Ok, I said it. Don’t hate me. Sometimes cutting corners is the only way to celebrate a holiday without adding stress. So if picking up all the ingredients for a fresh-made drink is too much, you can get by with a bottle of tequila and a bottle of mix. For the tequila, I still suggest Milagro. For the mix, you’re on your own. But what ever you do, do not follow the instructions on the mix bottle. Those recipes usually suggest a 3 to 1 ratio of mix to tequila. If you’re looking for a spike in blood sugar, this is the way to go. If you want a reasonable drink, experiment and cut back on the mix and increase the tequila (I suggest a ratio of 1 to 1). Add lots of ice and … a message from my Dad … drink responsibly.
4. Margarita Ice Cream! This is so easy to make you’ll almost feel guilty when your friends worship you for your ice cream making skills. This recipe is from Nigella Lawson so it makes sense that it’s called Nigella Lawson’s No Churn Margarita Ice Cream. After a rough year that included being choked by her husband, publically outed for a cocaine habit, banned from travelling to the US and getting divorced (well maybe that last one is a good thing) Nigella is someone who needs to turn her limes into something great. So thank goodness she has this recipe!
And this recipe is universally loved. When I made it, I got raves from someone who doesn’t like margaritas (gasp!), someone who doesn’t like ice cream (double gasp!) and someone who doesn’t drink at all (huh?). Everyone loves Margarita Ice Cream.
So check out Nigella Lawson’s site for all sorts of good stuff. I copied her recipe here (and did my best to convert measurements but please check them!)
- 125ml lime juice (1/2 Cup)
- 2 x 15ml tablespoons Tequila (2T)
- 3 x 15ml tablespoons Cointreau or Triple sec (3T)
- 150g icing sugar or powdered sugar (1 1/4 Cups)
- 500ml double cream (2 Cups Heavy Cream)
Margarita Ice Cream – I swear this picture doesn’t do this treat justice
5. Celebrate at a Place known for something other than Margaritas. I’m turning my limes into an outing to Butter (NYC). Butter in Midtown is a cool space. It’s set underground and its high ceilings reach the street to let light shine into the restaurant. And they have Parker House Rolls – or at least what I remember as slightly sweet rolls, with a little salt on the top that were amazing (but maybe not Parker House shaped). And while I don’t exactly equate drinking margaritas with eating rolls, anything goes for this non-traditional Cinco de Mayo celebration!
Margarita & Flowers, Butter NYC
Here’s wishing you turn all the limes in your life into the best margaritas ever!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
margagogo 