May 5th is upon us again! For many—that means its time for another fiesta. Everyone loves a good party? But let’s assume you have a really busy schedule. No need to go loco en la cabeza. We know not everyone has the time to plan and cook an extravagant, homemade assortment of appetizers and cocktails.
That’s not what this post is about, amigos.
We’ve made your Cinco de Mayo entertaining simple. All it requires is a handful of Spec’s party trays paired with exceptional beer and wines that help enhance the flavors. Boom. Done. The party is planned. Now you can focus more on enjoying your Cinco de Mayo and less on frustrating, kitchen cooking and cleanup.
Tex-Mex Dip
Tex-Mex Dip is a Texas-sized version of the seven-layer dip with refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, olives, cheddar, and pico de gallo. Served with cilantro cream sauce and tortilla chips. A perfect party snack, it’s a staple at Cinco de Mayo parties.
Pair it with Negra Modelo
Negra Modelo is an optimum beer pairing for the rich, Tex-Mex 7 layer dip. The taste is amber clear with a healthy dose of malt and bready notes. This lightly toasted, medium-sweet flavor and light palate, with dry finish is great to cut through the salty oils of the refried beans.
Quesadillas
What’s not to love about a quesadilla? The quesadilla platter features an assortment of beans and cheeses, with succulent and juicy marinated beef and chicken fajita meat. Served with pico de gallo and sour cream.
Pair it with Tom Gore Chardonnay
This no-nonsense chardonnay is crisp enough to go with a variety of Mexican foods, providing great contrast. The wine has just a touch of woodiness and refreshing acidity that holds up well to saltier spices and meats.
Mini Empañadas
The mini empañadas platter features tender braised beef wrapped in a golden flaky crust. The cilantro cream sauce adds a delightful zing.
Pair it with Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
The beefy filling invites us to pair it with a red wine. The optimal choice for this is Casillero del Diablo Carmenere. It’s a wine of medium body with soft tannins and well-marked juiciness. This Carmenere offers a riper style with blackberry and raspberry fruit accented with notes of spiced coffee, cocoa powder, and dust. This long and satisfying red well really helps bring out the sweet onion strokes and seasoned beef of the empanada.
Cinco De Mayo Cocktail: The Tia Mia
Most Texans already have a favorite margarita recipe they rely on for their Cinco de Mayo party. So we’ve thrown in something different—the “Tia Mia”. The Tia Mia is a play on the popular Mai Tai cocktail. (In fact, the name itself is an anagram for “Mai Tai”). The Tia Mia subs in smoky mezcal for a rich, and festive, Mexican flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz Amber Rum
- ¾ oz fresh Lime juice
- ½ oz Curaçao
- ½ oz Orgeat (almond syrup)
- Ice cubes, plus crushed ice for serving
- 1 Mint sprig, 1 lime wheel and 1 orchid (optional), for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the mezcal, rum, lime juice, curacao, and orgeat; fill with ice cubes and shake well.
- Strain into a chilled, crushed ice-filled rocks glass.
- Garnish with the mint sprig, lime wheel, and orchid.
Don’t forget to call in your catering orders ahead of time and pick up all your Cinco de Mayo libations from your nearest Spec’s.
Adios!
