Citrus-Infused Cinco de Mayo Party

By Nina Spezzaferro

Spice up your social calendar by hosting a citrus-infused party just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Touches of lemons, limes and oranges are sure to have your guests shouting “Olé!”

Invitations

Keep it simple! Invest your time and effort in the party itself. Feel free to alert your guests of your party by email, phone or a handwritten note. When writing a note or email, play up the theme of the party. If you're short on time, consider a fun, simple party invitation from Tiny Prints. Ask your guests to join you for a zesty time at your citrus-infused celebration of Mexican culture.

As a courtesy, be sure to include details about what will be served, whether it be lunch, dinner or simply drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Make it clear whether or not you would like your guests to bring a drink or dish.

Impress your guests with a Tequilla Tasting Cocktail Party

Décor

The traditional décor for a Cinco de Mayo affair include serapes, pinatas and Mexican hats. Capture elements of Spring and set the scene my implementing touches of citrus. Think bowls of lemons and limes or citrus fruit topiaries. Decorating with fruit is easy, will enhance your theme and adds a touch of class to the atmosphere.

Depending on the number of guests you’ve invited, you may want to opt for disposable dishware. Stick to solid colors so that you can reuse the unused dishware on another occasion.

Consider using red, white or green to commemorate the Mexican flag or yellow, lime or orange to enhance your citrus theme.

Consider your menu as well. Salsa and guacamole will look best in a color that contrasts, such as yellow. Tortilla chips will pop in green or red bowls.

 

Music

Infuse your playlist of modern hits with festive tunes. Some popular choices are:

  1. The Macarena
  2. La Bamba
  3. Hot Hot Hot
  4. Bamboleo
  5. Tequila
  6. Un Dos Tres Maria
  7. I Like It Like That
  8. La Copa De La Vida (The Cup of Life)
  9. Guadalajara
  10. La Cucaracha

Drinks

Silver Bar ToolsFor more tips on how to stock your bar, check out:

 

No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without cold Coronas and freshly cut limes. Frozen drinks are both festive and easy to make. To really capture the citrus theme, try serving a sampling of exotically flavored margaritas and daiquiris, like the “Mango” rita.

 

Menu

Traditional Mexican fare with a twist is sure to whet your guests’ palates. Stock up on a sampling of tortilla chips for dipping in citrus-infused guacamole and salsa. Serve in small bowls throughout the entertaining area. If you’d like to serve a warm dish, spoon Citrus Salsa and Citrus Guacamole over tortilla chips with cheddar cheese and pop in the microwave until the cheese is melted.

"Mango"rita

Ingredients

  • 2 (1.5 fluid ounce) jiggers tequila
  • 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger triple sec liqueur
  • 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger fresh lime juice
  • 1 mango - peeled, seeded and sliced
  • 4 ice cubes
  • 1/4 cup mango nectar


Preparation 

  1. In a blender, combine the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, mango, and ice. Blend until ice is finely crushed
  2. Sweeten with mango nectar to your liking

Citrus Guacamole

Ingredients

  • 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and mashed 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon pineapple juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
  • salt to taste
  • hot sauce to taste


Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the avocados, lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, cumin, cilantro and salt
  2. Mix in hot sauceServe immediately, or refrigerate until serving
  3. Place one of the avocado pits in the bowl to help keep it fresh

Citrus Salsa

Ingredients

  • 1 orange, peeled, sectioned, and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, undrained
  • 1/4 cup diced fresh mango
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon diced red bell pepper
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

  1. In a medium bowl, combine oranges, pineapple chunks, mango, minced jalapenos, 3 tablespoons orange juice, diced red bell pepper, sugar, and cilantro
  2. Mix well, and refrigerate covered
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