Traditional Margaritas

I believe there is a law somewhere that states we Americans have to celebrate any holiday from other countries, especially if they are minor ones in those countries. Then again, it could be that we just like to celebrate the ones closely associated with the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol.

In case you have heard by now, today is the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, which is to say that it is the Fifth of May. A lot of people are under the assumption that this is some Mexican Independence Day, which is understandable because we call the American Independence Day the Fourth of July. See the resemblance? Actually they celebrate their independence from Spain on September 16th when a catholic priest led a revolt against the Spanish Government. Cinco de Mayo is really a rather minor holiday with little significance in Mexico, with the exception, of course, to the state of Puebla where this rebellion took place, and actually has become more of a Mexican Heritage Pride Day celebrated around the world. If you want to know why there is even a celebration over a little battle with the French over unpaid debt called The Battle of Puebla which occurred on May 5th, 1862, blame California… they started it the following year.

But why would you want to blame the state of California for giving us a reason to party with excellent food and drink? It is not unlike the many other ancestral holidays we observe such as Chinese New Year, St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest, and like those should be a time to celebrate the multitude of cultures that not only make up our country, but the world. What better way to commemorate this day than by drinking some delicious cervezas and maybe un margarita o dos.

Margaritas en Jarra (Pitcher Margaritas)

2 cups crushed ice
¾ cup tequila (6oz)
⅓ cup lime juice
¼ powdered sugar
½ of an egg white (1 tablespoon)
½ oz Triple Sec (1 tablespoon)
lime slices and/or wedges
lime juice and kosher salt for glass rims

In blender container combine the crushed ice, tequila, lime juice, powdered sugar, egg white and Triple Sec. Cover and blend till very frothy. Transfer to pitcher; garnish with lime slices. Serve in salt-rimmed cocktail glasses with a lime wedge or slice, or use margarita or martini glasses. Makes 6 (4oz) servings, or enough for two people… maybe one.

To prepare glasses: Rub the rim of each glass with a little lime juice. Invert glass in a shallow dish of salt; shake off excess salt.

This recipe is honestly delicious, but if you are weirded out by the raw egg white, you can always substitute a teaspoon of powdered egg whites or meringue powder. Don’t have Triple Sec? Any bitter orange liquor will suffice. Don’t have any bitter orange liquor? Orange marmalade will work too.