Happy Cinco de Mayo! Have you met my friend Margarita?

Cinco de Mayo of the last few years has become sort of a big deal here in the U.S.   I think it is mostly used as an excuse to drink tequila...like you need an excuse to do that! Again my history side of my brain was curious about the origins of Cinco de Mayo...I should declare this J.J.'s Food History Month!

Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla).

The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico...which is actually celebrated on September 16.

Well there you have it! An interesting little history lesson for today.  How are you celebrating? I was all set to make enchiladas but I wasn't going to make them for just me.  I had some salsa and queso and called it a Mexican  meal.  I shall be making the enchiladas tomorrow!

What will I drink with it?

Classic Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1 oz premium tequila - Jose Gold or Patron!
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 2 oz lime juice, fresh squeezed
• 2 teaspoons sugar or agave nectar - agave is best...makes it very smooth!
• kosher Salt (optional)
• lime wedge (optional)
• crushed ice or ice cubes

Preparation:
 
Place the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sugar and ice into a shaker and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds to help dissolve the sugar. Pour the salt into a flat plate. For the glass, use a lime wedge to rub the rim of the glass, then quickly place it rim-side down into the plate of salt. Pour the margarita over ice into the salt-rimmed glass. Garnish the glass with the lime wedge.