Mix Up Your Cinco de Mayo Margaritas

This Saturday, celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way, with a twist. While there certainly is nothing like a classic margarita, it’s time to spice things up a bit. Here are four flavorful ways to add some zest to your margaritas this weekend, provided by some top chefs.

Ina Garten’s Jalapeño Margarita recipe calls for one small jalapeño pepper, one-and-a-half cups blanco or silver tequila, one cup Triple Sec, a quarter-cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, two tablespoons of honey, and a pinch of kosher salt. Serve it over ice.

Bobby Flay’s Pineapple Chile Margarita takes one cup fresh pineapple juice, a half-cup chopped fresh pineapple, one Fresno Chile, chopped, three ounces of tequila, ice cubes, and pineapple for garnish.

Valerie Bertinelli’s Spicy Margarita with Jalapeño and Ginger requires two tablespoons of sea salt flakes, three-quarter ounce, lime juice plus one lime wedge, one teaspoon minced jalapeño, two ounces of blanco tequila, three-quarter ounce of orange liqueur, and a quarter-ounce of Simple Syrup (one cup sugar).

Bill Wavrin’s Tangerine Habanero Margarita included two habanero chiles, four teaspoons lime zest, a quarter-cup lemon zest, a quarter-cup lemon juice, half-cup tangerine juice, quarter-cup confectioners sugar, a pinch of salt, two crushed cups of ice, one cup reposado tequila, and one cup Triple Sec.

All those libations call for noshing. La Fondita, 74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, will be serving up holiday specials all day. On the menu is Tamal de Pollo en Salsa Verde, a tamal filled with chicken in a green sauce; Tamal de Puerco en Salsa Roja, a Tamal filled with pork in a red sauce; or Tamal de Rajas Con Queso, a tamal filled with sautéed poblano, jalapeño peppers, and Monterrey Jack cheese. Each selection is $12.50 and served with rice, whole black beans, and salad.

In addition, Chiles en Nogada, which is a poblano pepper filed with cheese and topped with walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds, or chile Rellenos, a blistered poblano pepper filled with cheese and dipped in egg whites, are also offered for $16 and served with rice, refried beans, and tortillas. End it right with $3.50 Churros. Visit www.lafondita.net for more information.

Union Cantina, 40 Bowden Square, Southampton, celebrates with Happy Hour from 3 to 6 PM, and will hold Kentucky Derby race raffles. DJ Drazen will provide music from 1 to 7 PM, followed by live music by the John Schmitt band. The eatery will show The Kentucky Derby.

This Saturday, the restaurant is also introducing its new summer cocktails menu. Enjoy an array of house margaritas, such as the Cadillac, with Don Julio topped with Grand Mariner, or Apple Cider with Herradura and farm pressed apple cider. Get The Skinny with Cabo Wabo reposado, coconut water, and agave syrup, or The Warren, with 1942 Don Julio and Grand Marnier Genternario. Visit www.unioncantina.net for more information and reservations.

@NikkiOnTheDaily
Nicole@indyeastend.com