Tag: Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo in San Antonio: Local Deals to Celebrate Flavor, Heritage, and Style

Anaqua Garden Bar is having $8 margaritas all day on Cinco de Mayo. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in San Antonio with Local Flavor and Festive Deals

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated on May 5th, commemorates Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Though it’s a minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture in the United States. People mark the occasion with festive parades, mariachi music, folkloric dancing, and traditional foods like tacos and mole poblano. Cities like San Antonio host street fairs and cultural events, drawing crowds eager to experience the lively atmosphere. Cinco de Mayo appeals to many for its colorful energy, community spirit, and joyful embrace of Mexican heritage through food, music, and celebration.

With Cinco de Mayo falling on a Monday this year, local favorites Anaqua Garden Bar, La Panadería, and Twang are offering flavorful and festive ways to honor the traditions of Mexican culture. (Anaqua Garden Bar, La Panadería, Twang, 2025)

Sip and Savor at Anaqua Garden Bar
Located at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Anaqua Garden Bar invites guests to relax in its lush garden oasis with $8 margaritas available all day. It’s an ideal setting to unwind and toast to the vibrant traditions behind this cultural holiday.

Tequila-Inspired Treats at La Panadería
Founded by brothers José and David Cáceres, La Panadería continues to blend traditional Mexican baking with innovative flavors. This Cinco de Mayo, the menu shines with tequila-infused offerings, including:

  • Tequila Butter Steak & Eggs
  • Tequila Almond Croissant
  • Tequila Tres Leches Croissant
  • Tequila French Toast
  • A variety of refreshing tequila-based cocktails

Bring the Flavor Home with Twang
Twang, a Latino-founded brand with nearly four decades of flavor expertise, uses Cinco de Mayo as a moment to celebrate cultural roots and family traditions. Known for products like Snack Salts, Beer Salts, Drink Rimmers, and their All-In-One Michelada Cocktail Mix, Twang’s flavor enhancers are made to elevate any drink or snack—perfect for at-home celebrations.

Together, these three local brands invite San Antonians to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with intention, joy, and a deep appreciation for Mexican heritage. Whether you’re clinking glasses at Anaqua, brunching on tequila delights at La Panadería, or adding a spicy twist to your drinks at home with Twang, make this May 5th a flavorful tribute to tradition.

Photo: Freepix

Festive drinks for Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Smirnoff ICE Preparadas. Photo: Chris Perez, used with permission.

Cinco de Mayo is this Friday, and if you are looking for cocktail ideas for your get together, here are two of them. (Giant Noise, 2023)

Cantina Margarita:

Austin-based CANTEEN Spirits launched a Mexican-inspired, margarita-style hard seltzer in February 2023. It is currently available throughout Texas with national distribution coming soon. Dubbed the Cantina Margarita, the new seltzer is available in three flavors — original (margarita), strawberry, and mango. Each 12-oz can contains only 110 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram net carbs and is brewed at 6% alc/vol, higher than most big brand hard seltzers. Unlike their previous lines, the Cantina Margarita is made with alcohol produced from cane sugar, a departure from the company’s spirit-based model.

“After carefully examining the current RTD market, we saw the popularity of hard seltzers declining, with one exception: Mexican-inspired cocktails like margaritas and agua frescas are still growing, and doing so at a rapid pace. Expanding from spirit based RTDs into the hard seltzer realm was a natural evolution for CANTEEN.” said CANTEEN’s co-founder and CEO, Brandon Cason.

CANTEEN Spirits’ new Cantina Margarita-Style Hard Seltzer. Photo: CANTEEN Spirits, used with permission.

Smirnoff ICE Preparada:

The Smirnoff ICE Preparada is over-the-top, bright, and colorful, just like Cinco de Mayo. It showcases an array of ingredients and flavors and is endlessly customizable. Made from a refreshing combo of Smirnoff ICE, fresh chopped fruit, chamoy, chili salt, and spicy/sour Mexican candies, the drink was first popularized at drive-thru daiquiri shops in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. 

Preparadas skyrocketed in popularity at San Antonio’s iconic Fiesta celebrations in 2011 and have been a staple of the city-wide party ever since. They are now regularly enjoyed at bars, restaurants and festivals throughout Texas in the spring and summer months. Here is a recipe to make one of your own at home:

Ingredients

  • 1 (one) 11.2 oz bottle of Smirnoff ICE (Original, Spicy Tamarind or Green Apple flavor)
  • 1 oz chamoy
  • chili salt (for rim)
  • 1/2 cup diced pineapple
  • 1/2 cup diced strawberries
  • sour gummies, and Mexican candies
  • 1 package dried chili mango
  • 1 bamboo skewer

Instructions

  • Rim your favorite glass with chamoy and chili salt
  • Fill glass with ice
  • Add in diced pineapple and strawberry
  • Fill glass with your favorite flavor of Smirnoff ICE
  • Top with sour gummies and Mexican candies. 
  • Drizzle chamoy over gummies and candies
  • Garnish with skewer of fruit, candies, and chamoy

Sip margaritas and support Mexican-owned tequila this Cinco de Mayo

The Banderita Flight cocktail at FRIDA Mexican Restaurant & Bar is made with LALO blanco tequila, a Mexican-owned, Mexican-founded tequila brand. (Photo: LALO Spirits, used with permission.

In the United States, more people consume tequila on Cinco de Mayo than on any other day of the year. LALO (a Mexican-owned tequila brand founded by Don Julio’s grandson) is celebrating the day with specialty cocktails at several bars and restaurants throughout San Antonio on Thursday. (LALO Spirits, 2022)

On Thursday, May 5, FRIDA Mexican Restaurant & Bar (18740 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258) will serve a Banderita Flight — three mini cocktails made with LALO blanco tequila and served in shades of green, white, and red to represent the Mexican flag. Flavors include a melon-lime margarita with citrus salt, ranch water with sea salt, and a strawberry hibiscus margarita with a tajin rim.

Screaming Goat Yard & Tap (4 Sun Valley Dr, Spring Branch, TX 78070) will be featuring LALO Ranch Waters, Palomas, and Perfect Margaritas. There will also be a LALO rep on site pouring taste of the popular blanco tequila from 6p.m. to 8p.m.

All three locations of La Fogata are featuring four special cocktails made with LALO throughout the month of May.

Fresca Margarita – LALO Blanco, Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Sweet n’ sour, Fresh lime

Chispa Margarita – LALO Blanco, Triple sec, Fresh lime juice

Paloma – LALO Blanco, Fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, topped with sparkling mineral water

Ranch Water – LALO Blanco, fresh lime juice, top with sparkling mineral water over ice with salted rim

Ácenar on the Riverwalk (146 E. Houston St. San Antonio, Texas 78205) will serve a special cocktail called La Flaca, a skinny margarita made with LALO.

LALO is available for purchase at liquor stores, bars, and restaurants throughout San Antonio. It is also available online with direct shipping.

LALO is named after co-founder and maestro tequilero Eduardo “Lalo” Gonzalez, the grandson of Don Julio González of the iconic Don Julio tequila brand. Lalo continues the legacy of his father and grandfather with a bold new approach to perfecting blanco tequila. After nearly a decade in the industry seeing tequila follow many different trends, he and founding partner David R. Carballido sought to return tequila to its honest roots with a truly pure blanco tequila, without barrels or additives.

Each batch of LALO is 100% pure. It is made with wisdom passed down through generations of tequileros using the finest agave, handpicked from the Jalisco Highlands, cooked using a traditional process, and distilled only twice to maintain the agave’s integrity. The sole ingredients are fully-matured agave, a proprietary Champagne yeast, and deep well water, honoring the complex essence of the agave. 

What began as a small, private batch for friends and family in Guadalajara turned into a tequila high in demand for its taste and purity. LALO is not intended as a special occasion tequila, it is intended to make any occasion special.

 

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Tajín margaritas at Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana’s $4 Tajín Margaritas will be available starting May 5, 2022. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

On Cinco de Mayo, Thursday, May 5, 2022, Taco Cabana will launch a new partnership with Tajín, introducing a $4 Tajín Margarita available at all Texas locations while supplies last. Taco Cabana will also offer Tajín Mild Hot Sauce at TC’s Texas locations. (Taco Cabana, 2022)

“We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Tajín. What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a new Taco Cabana signature Tajín margarita – the first of several Taco Cabana and Tajín items, both food and beverage, that we hope to introduce in the coming months.”- Taco Cabana Chief Operating Officer, Ulyses Camacho

TC guests who order the Tajín margarita will also receive an additional .35 ounce bottle of Tajín seasoning while supplies last. Guests can add more Tajín to their margarita or use the Tajín on any of their other TC favorites.

New breakfast taco and burrito options like Potato & Bacon, Potato & Bean, Potato & Chorizo and Chorizo & Bean starting at $1.59 also join the TC Breakfast menu just in time for Cinco de Mayo and summer at TC. Queso Blanco enchiladas starting at just $6.39 continue as well, and guests can now enjoy Queso Blanco paired with 3-pack chicken flautas or TC’s house-made tortilla chips. 

Tajín margaritas will be available starting Thursday, May 5, 2022 through the month of May while supplies last. New breakfast tacos and burritos and Queso Blanco with 3-pack flautas or tortilla chips available starting Wednesday, April 27, 2022.

Tajín Margaritas, Queso Blanco enchiladas, 3-pack flautas, chips and queso and breakfast tacos are available through curbside pick-up, drive-thru, in-restaurant, and via mobile order through the My TC! App.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, freshly-made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of April 20, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Taco Cabana introduces ‘La Bandera’ margarita

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the limited-time margarita, ‘La Bandera’ at Taco Cabana. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Launching May 5, 2021, Cinco de Mayo, Taco Cabana invites TC and MargaritaPalooza fans to celebrate the holiday with the limited-time “La Bandera” Margarita. The “La Bandera” Margarita is layered with Lime, Strawberry, Mango, and Blue Curacao flavors and will be available at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas for $3. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Also launching on May 5, 2021, Taco Cabana guests can enjoy a limited-time food bundle featuring a half-order of Taco Cabana’s Kickin’ Nachos and 12 signature TC chicken flautas for $19.99.

Taco Cabana will continue its signature MargaritaPalooza with 12 other margarita flavors for just $2 all day, every day, including its three classic margarita flavors Lime, Strawberry and Mango. The nine limited-time MargaritaPalooza flavors include*:

  • Pineapple Jalapeño 
  • Dragonfruit 
  • Pickle
  • Violet
  • Orange
  • Pistachio 
  • Orange Cream
  • Chili Lime Cucumber
  • Pineapple Banana

*Guests have the option to add chamoy at no additional cost.

TC guests may also purchase gallon margaritas of Lime, Strawberry and Mango for $34.99.

“Every year, Cinco de Mayo is always a big celebration for Taco Cabana, guests and team members included. This year we combined MargaritaPalooza and the launch of the new ‘La Bandera’ margarita with Cinco de Mayo to make it even more of a celebration. We invite everyone to include TC in their Cinco de Mayo plans whether it be dine-in, takeout or delivery.” – Rich Stockinger, President and CEO of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., parent company of Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana is also creating a series of short videos entitled “In The Kitchen With Taco Cabana,” led by TC corporate chefs, Sergio Remolina and Chelsea Lietz. Each video speaks about a TC favorite, brought home and given a “unique twist” in the kitchen.  Something to make your Cinco de Mayo celebration, or any celebration, slightly more festive with Taco Cabana as your partner. These videos will be available online on Friday, April 30 and will also be featured across TC’s social media. 

All menu items, including MargaritaPalooza margaritas, can be ordered online or via the MYTC! App for convenient curbside pick-up. TC drive-throughs are open for food and alcohol purchases and Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are open for on-site dining as well. Currently, San Antonio residents can order alcohol and food delivery online or via the Taco Cabana app. Members of the MYTC! Loyalty Program also earn reward points for each alcoholic beverage purchase. 

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of Jan. 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering.

 

Cinco de Mayo specials around town

hopdoddymargarita
Hopdoddy Burger Bar will have margarita specials this Friday through Sunday May 5. Photo: Hopdoddy, used with permission. 

Head over to any Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar location on Sunday May 5 to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. There will be specials running on various Patron margarita options and plenty of pool and games to entertain. (Fast Eddie’s, 2019)

Fast Eddie’s opened its first location in San Antonio in August 1998 by hospitality experts and bar veterans, Bob Wilson, Mark Beyer and Mark Lewis. These talented entrepreneurs created a neighborhood gathering place with more entertainment options than were available at any other billiards halls. With large, comfortable environments that feature multi-dimensional entertainment, high-end audio-visual equipment, top of the line pool tables, dart boards, video games, music, comfort food, a full bar, themed events and charity benefits, Fast Eddie’s has drawn a loyal following. The single pool hall on Culebra Rd became so successful, it spurred the growth of Fast Eddie’s to 15 locations in Texas and Louisiana.

Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar San Antonio locations:
9910 W Loop 1604 N Suite 113
San Antonio, TX

7616 Culebra Rd #103
San Antonio, TX

502 Embassy Oaks
San Antonio, TX

11221 Perrin Beitel
San Antonio, TX

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Hopdoddy Burger Bar will be offering a margarita special at all locations this Friday May 3 through Sunday May 5. All margaritas will be half off all day long. From the Classic Frozen to The Skinny Dip, featuring a 7oz. Coronita dunked into a frozen margarita with a Black Lava Salt Rim, Hopdoddy has a delicious offering of margaritas perfect for celebrating the upcoming Mexican holiday. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2019)

Hopdoddy Burger Bar was founded in 2010 in Austin and is a nationally-recognized burger and beer joint. The menu includes burgers, hand-cut Kennebec fries, farm fresh salads and handcrafter milkshakes. Hopdoddy also carries a variety of local craft beers on tap, can and bottle and a has a full bar featuring regional spirits, house-made liqueurs and freshly squeezed juices. Named “The Best Burgers in America” by Food & Wine, Hopdoddy has locations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and California with more to come.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar at the Rim
17623 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 101
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 434-2337

May events at the Pearl

pearlfarmersmarket
Pearl’s May events begin this Thursday with First Thursday. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission. 

Pearl is excited to present its May programming including The Farmers Market 10-year anniversary, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, the First Thursday Night Market and a Memorial Day party to honor the members of the armed forces who have passed. (Pearl, 2019)

First Thursday Night Market – May 2 from 4p.m. to 8p.m.
First Thursday Night Market returns to Pearl for the month of May. Visitors can shop with their favorite local Farmers Market vendors and artisans while enjoying music by regional performers. Jose Amador and TERRA NOVA will perform at Pearl Park from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. and Mariachi Las Coronelas Trio in Pearl Parkito from 4p.m. to 8p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Cinco de Mayo – Sunday May 5 from 4p.m to 7p.m.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Bottling Department will host live music by El Tallercito de Son in Pearl Park and Fletcher’s Hamburgers will be serving carnitas all day. The Bar at the Bottling Department will also feature agave wine “Margaritas.”

Farmers Market 10 Year Anniversary Celebration – Saturday May 18
Pearl’s Farmers Market will celebrate its 10th anniversary this May. Since 2009, the market has grown to include 50 plus vendors representing the best in produce, meats, dairy, eggs and artisan foods from a 150-mile radius. Pearl’s market is the largest “producers-only” operation in San Antonio. San Antonio Botanical Gardens and CHEF (Culinary Health Education for Families) will offer demonstrations and activities for families, Wide Awake Creative will feature a produce-inspired photobooth and Artist Katy Sosa’s Keep Calm Y Dream On will offer an interactive art making station. The anniversary celebration will include live music and cupcakes from Bakery Lorraine. During the month of May, Pearl restaurants will showcase menu items featuring produce from Farmers Market vendors. All activations are free and open to the public.

Memorial Day Celebration- Monday May 27 from 2p.m. to 4p.m.
In honor of members of the armed forces who have passed, Pearl and The Bottling Department will have a crawfish boil by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie. There will be live music by the Gulf Coast Playboys, and more. Guests will be able to enjoy music and food while playing in the sun and Gustav’s Geysers.

Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215

Cinco De Mayo Cocktails

batmanmexico
‘Batman of Mexico’ at Downstairs at Esquire. Photo: Kody Melton, used with permission.

With Cinco De Mayo right around the corner, some cocktail bars choose to celebrate the holiday by incorporating the rich influence of Mexican spirits into their cocktail menus. Three of those are in San Antonio, a city known for its Mexican influence in food and drinks, and include Downstairs at Esquire, Esquire Tavern and El Mirador. Beverage Director Houston Eaves helps lead a beverage program that thoughtfully creates cocktails in ways that both utilize Mexican ingredients in a playful way while others reflect and pay homage to the rich Mexican history associated with San Antonio. In honor of Cinco De Mayo, here are some recipes, each with a clever story or character inspiring them. (Downstairs at Esquire, Esquire Tavern, El Mirador, 2018)

‘BATMAN OF MEXICO’ AT DOWNSTAIRS AT ESQUIRE
Named for Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, a Mexican Conservationist and Ecologist known as the ‘Batman of Mexico’ for his academic work studying bats. Dr. Medellín is co-founder of the Bat-Friendly Tequila & Mezcal Program, which is studying the relationship between agaves and their main pollinator, bats. This program looks at how the Tequila industry can help impact populations of migrating bats by allowing a portion of their plants to flower each year.

Ingredients:
2 oz. Siembra Valles High Proof Blanco Tequila
.75 oz. Fresh corn/chile syrup
.75 oz. Key Lime juice
Shake ingredients well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with sal de chapulín. Garnish with Bat Signal.

‘TEXECUTIONER’ AT ESQUIRE TAVERN
Named after Texas politician Rick Perry, Wahaka’s brazen espadín serves as an herbal fortitude for this memorable mix. Crafted in 2011 by bartender Houston Eaves during his time at ranch-like restaurant Contigo in Austin, the recipe traveled down to San Antonio’s historic Esquire Tavern after he relocated to the Alamo City a year later. Thanks to its savvy balance of snappy grapefruit and sweet Cocchi Americano, the drink has endured as a menu staple at both bars. Drink it served up or on a large ice cube and watch for the punchy mezcal to soften as the honeysuckle and orange notes of Cocchi weave throughout.

Ingredients:
3⁄4 oz. Wahaka Espadín mezcal
3⁄4 oz. Xtabentún
3⁄4 oz. Cocchi Aperitivo Americano
3⁄4 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
GRAPEFRUIT TWIST, for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice and shake well. Strain into a coupe glass. Express the oil from a grapefruit swath over the top of the drink for aromatics and garnish with grapefruit twist.

‘EL CHAVO’ AT EL MIRADOR
Created by El Mirador bartender John Cox and inspired by popular 80s Mexican TV show “El Chavo del Ocho”, the El Chavo cocktail stirs up reminiscent feelings of the show centered around the adventures and tribulations of the title character—a poor orphan nicknamed “El Chavo.” When ordering the drink during happy hour, patrons at El Mirador can often find the bartender playing this show on TV.

Ingredients:
1oz Paranubes Oaxacan Rum
0.5oz Cimarrón Reposado Tequila
0.5oz Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao
0.5oz Fresh Key Lime Juice
0.25oz Cinnamon Syrup
1 barspoon Condensed Milk
Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass with a half-Chapulín salt rim.

Cinco Vodka and Uber to help San Antonians celebrate responsibly

cincouber.jpg
Cinco Vodka and Uber are giving away free rides this Cinco de Mayo weekend to help San Antonians celebrate responsibly.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This Friday is Cinco de Mayo and Cinco Vodka and Uber are helping San Antonians celebrate responsibly. San Antonio’s own Cinco Vodka is partnering with Uber to give away 1,000 free rides over the Cinco de Mayo weekend. They can cash in their free rides from noon Friday May 5 through 3a.m. on Sunday May 7 by tapping the card at the bottom of the Uber app to apply the code. This code is valid for a $10 Uber credit and can be used by new and current Uber customers. Users are limited to one code during this promotional period in downtown San Antonio and codes will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. This is just one more way Cinco Vodka is giving back to the community and both brands want to help them get around safely throughout this holiday weekend. (Cinco Vodka, Uber, 2017)

Trey and Kimberly Azar started Azar Distilling in 2010 as one of the first licensed distilleries in Texas. The Azar Family Brand’s (AFB) award-winning Cinco Vodka is made with non-GMO American wheat and distilled using old-world European methods. It is slow-distilled in small batches in a 530-gallon hand hammered European pot. Cinco Vodka won “Best of Division for Vodka” and “Best of Category for Wheat Vodka (Unflavored)” at the Los Angeles Spirit Competition in 2013.