Any holiday with observances that include avocadoes, tequila and piñatas is one that we can get behind. Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity for us to celebrate the food, music and culture of Mexico, but for most of us, it's just an excuse to turn a mundane Monday into a fiesta - and there's nothing wrong with that. But this year, skip the packed Mexican restaurants and the dive bars that serve margaritas in fish tanks, and throw a Cinco de Mayo bash yourself. You'll save time waiting in line, hundreds of calories, and money wasted on overpriced cheesy tortillas. Here are cinco tips for celebrating Cinco de Mayo like the Caliente Chica that you are.
Uno - Crack Corona Lights
As the weather is getting warmer, we are craving less red wine and more thirst-quenching beer. And our favorite is Corona Light, which is perfect for Cinco de Mayo because it is actually made in Mexico. Each Corona Light has about 40 fewer calories than a regular Corona, which translates to about four extra tortilla chips with salsa per beer. Buy a case and a few limes and say cheers to that.
Dos - Make Margaritas
Here is our awesome recipe for Hot Chick margaritas that are completely delicious without any of that poisonous bottled margarita mix that has hundreds of calories and tastes like pure corn syrup for a very good reason:
Shake over ice: Two shots of tequila, one shot of fresh lime juice (none of that Rose's crap, which is sweetened and concentrated), and one shot of triple sec or Grand Marnier. If you really need it sweet, add a splash of diet lemon lime soda - we recommend the all natural Hansen's.
Tres - Fresh Guacamole
Guacamole is easy, delicious, and very healthy in moderation. Here is our secret recipe for the best guacamole ever: Mash up one avocado, then add a teaspoon of fresh lime juice, a big pinch of salt, two cloves of minced garlic, and a quarter cup of chopped cilantro. Now here's the great part - scoop out three spoonfuls of your favorite jarred salsa. This gives your guacamole onions, tomatoes and countless spices but saves you the trouble of actually buying and cleaning and chopping any of them.
Quatro - Make it Fun
Don't wait for your best friend's bachelorette party to buy a penis piñata - go ahead and get a piñata for your Cinco de Mayo party. (Not a penis one, though.) You can't have a bad time while your friends are beating a candy-stuffed animal with a stick. Turn up the festive music, light some candles, and put out bowls of red and green M&M's. Oh, and you should also get a cake. Any time there's an excuse to get a cake, you should do it. You don't have to bake it yourself; just order a cheap sheet cake from Costco with Mexico's colors on it and your friends will love you extra.
Cinco - Nosh on Nachos
You don't have to try to make homemade tamales or anything hard like that, and you don't have to spend a fortune having your party catered. Like the hilarious Jim Gaffigan says, all Mexican food is just tortillas, meat and cheese anyway, so just buy tortillas, meat and cheese, add some salsa, beans, sour cream and guacamole, and create a make your own taco or nacho or burrito bar. It'll be simple, fun, and delicious for everyone.