Where Are You Celebrating Cinco de Mayo Locally?

Cinco de Mayo marks May 5, 1864, when the Mexican army won the Battle of Puebla in the Franco-Mexican War. The holiday has become a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture in the United States.

Here are a few other facts about Cinco de Mayo:

• In Puebla, one of Mexico's 31 states with a capital city of the same name, Cinco de Mayo is known as El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla).
• While Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico, it is mainly observed in Puebla. In the U.S. it has become a popular holiday to celebrate Mexican culture.
• Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the U.S.
• May 5 is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day. That holiday takes place on September 16.
• One of the largest Cinco de Mayo events in the country is Fiesta Broadway in Los Angeles.

Do you have any Cinco de Mayo facts to share with readers? Do you know a business that is doing something special? Please post them in the comments section below.

Be careful out there as far as the partying goes, but know that the Fire Department is ready with more ambulances, just in case (CLICK HERE for story).

Oil Can Harry's always has a Cinco De Mayo special, as does the Loteria Grill (how about that Cinco De Mayo Magurerita Mayhem?) There's always something going on at Vitello's. The new Ye Old Kings Head Pub II is planning something, and so is Maeve's for some cultural mix.

There's a festival at  a special at Raphael, new drinks at Casa Vega a special at Ferrarri's Olive Oil.

Special events include: A Faery Hunt, Stroller Strides in Sherman Oaks , the St. Francis de Sales Festival, the Second Annual NatureBridge Hike-A-Thon, Mobile Pet Adoptions at Moorpark Park, Southern California Tasting & Auction and Floral Design Classes.

Other special events include: Whisper of Crows Book Signing Event with Author Jameson Hesse, Orientation at Zoom Room Sherman Oaks and Happy Hour at Viceroy Hookah Lounge.

Need more? Click on Karen Young's MyDailyFind.com for some specials: 

Restaurants: Celebrate Cinco De Mayo 2013 in the San Fernando Valley

Also, check out:

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

5-Minute Cinco de Mayo Meal

Haven't come across something that you know about yet? Add it in our Events area yourself, or mention it below in the COMMENTS area.

There's a big Multifamily Yard Sale, Mommy To Be Prenatal Yoga Class, Los Angeles Bike Polo Weekly Game, French Pastries Baking Class Planned at COOK LA and at the Studio City Library Games Day @ the Library!

And there's more . . . 

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CLICK HERE for local locations) is adding premium Patrón margaritas to the menu in its U.S. restaurants. The new margarita is hand-made for each customer using Patrón Silver tequila, triple sec, a blend of fresh lime and lemon juices, and organic agave nectar. The Patrón margarita will be available in about 900 Chipotle restaurants this weekend.

“Many people are not aware, but we have served margaritas at Chipotle from the beginning,” said Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing officer at Chipotle. “Previously, however, they were made using a margarita mix and we didn’t feel they were as delicious as they could be. Our new margarita recipe eliminates the mix in favor of a few simple ingredients. The new margarita tastes much better and is a really terrific addition to our menu.”

Served on the rocks with a wedge of lime, the premium Patrón margarita is a simple recipe using only a few ingredients, and will be offered to customers alongside another margarita option made with Sauza tequila. The Sauza margarita will be available as a house option at a lower price, but will be made using the same recipe as the Patrón version.

In addition to Patrón and Sauza margaritas, Chipotle also offers beer – including craft varieties – in many of its restaurants nationwide.  Alcoholic beverages are available to customers 21 and over.

BevMo (click here for the local one) is offering up some special recipes.

Looking for a way to spice up your Cinco de Mayo? BevMo!’s got some unconventional  margaritas to take your fiesta from mild to caliente. Plus, all of these go perfectly with traditional Mexican fare –so  grab a few tacos, some salt and lime, and prepare for some mucho good times.

Watermelon Margarita
Ingredients

·         8 oz Casamigos Reposado Tequila

·         4 oz triple sec

·         4 cups cubed watermelon

·         2 tablespoons sugar

·         2 limes, juiced

Simple Steps
In a blender, puree watermelon and sugar until smooth. Pour puree through a fine mesh strainer. Transfer liquid to a pitcher and add lime juice, tequila and triple sec. Stir to combine. Divide margarita into glasses and garnish with watermelon wedge.

Ultimate Margarita

Ingredients

·         1 oz Milagro Silver Tequila

·         ½ oz Cointreau Orange Liqueur

·         3 oz Dr. Swami's Margarita Mixer

·         1 ½ cup cracked ice or about 6 cubes

Simple Steps

Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake well. Pour over prepared glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Sparkling Margarita (for the group)

Ingredients

·         1 cup Milagro Silver tequila

·         2/3 cup lime juice

·         1/3 cup agave nectar

·         1 to 1 ½ cups sparkling wine

Simple Steps

In a cocktail shaker, combine half of the tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar with plenty of ice. Shake well and strain the mixture into glasses. Repeat with remaining tequila, juice and agave nectar. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with sprig of mint.

Mexican Sangria

Ingredients

·         1 bottle of Buscado Garnacha

·         1 cup Triple Sec

·         ½ cup Brandy

·         2 cans lemon-lime soda

·         1 cup orange juice

·         1 orange, cut into wedges

·         1 lime, cut into wedges

·         1 cup pineapple chunks, drained

·         Ice

Simple Steps

In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients (except for the soda and ice). Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Just before serving, stir in the soda and top off with ice. Pour into glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.

And if you’d like even more beverage selection for your Cinco de Mayo party, head to your local Bevmo! or check out the BevMo! Tasting Room for more amazing celebration ideas. Please let me know if I can provide you with images of the Watermelon Margarita, Ultimate Margarita, Sparkling Margarita, or Mexican Sangria.