One tequila, two tequila, three tequila FLOOR! Cinco de Mayo is once again upon and with the drinking holiday falling on a Sunday Funday this year, you know there will be plenty of Mexican-style madness and margaritas happenings around L.A.
Check out some of the best drinks in L.A. to celebrate Cinco de Mayo – and the drinks to try
Avocado Margarita at Te’Kila
With the named Te’Kila, you know this is one of the best places in the area to celebrate Cinco. The upbeat cantina and bar in Sherman Oaks boasts 300+ bottles of tequila and a plethora of hand-crafted cocktails ranging from light to indulgent options such as the smooth and creamy. Try the Avocado Margarita made with tequila blanco, avocado, cilantro, St. Germain, fresh lime, fresh lemon and agave. With Te’Kila’s Sunday all-day happy hour landing on the holiday, Patron Silver, Avion Blanco and Cazadores Blanco will only be shots are only $6. Be sure to pair the libation with bites like Bacon-Wrapped Street Dogs, Nachos Bomba and Carne Asada Fries topped with fresh guacamole.
13817 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, tekilashermanoaks.com, @tekilarestaurants
El Jardin at Toca Madera
On Cinco de Mayo, Toca Madera’s Beverage Director Charity Johnston is serving up all the classics along with interesting takes on everything from tequila to mezcal. Check out the El Jardin with pizcadores sotol, lemon, cucumber, mandarin napoleon, pineapple tomatillo shrub. In addition to her specialty margs, Toca is starting off the holiday right with brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with unique breakfast classics from Chef Felix Garcia like Huevos Rancheros, Chipotle Tofu, Carne Molida or Ensenada Style Tacos.
8450 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, tocamadera.com, @tocamaderala
Margarita al Pastor at Rolling Greens Garden Center DTLA
Don Julio is kicking off Cinco de Mayo with a mega party Saturday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Rolling Greens garden center in Downtown Los Angeles. The bash will include a selection of refreshing and authentic cocktails made with Tequila Don Julio including the Margarita Al Pastor, created by Mica Rousseau of Mexico City. It’s made with Tequila Don Julio Blanco, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, cooked pineapple juice and garnished with cilantro and hibiscus salt rim. In addition to the drinks, the event will feature Mexican bites curated by Infatuation and Tacos Delta, DJ sets by #1942Crew members DJ Tay James, DJ MOS and Devin Lucien with a special performance by the all-female mariachi band Las Alteñas and art installations by Claudio Limon celebrating the rich and vibrant colors of Mexico. If you really need another reason to attend, the event will also benefit Generosity.Org, to help end the clean water crisis in developing countries.
1005 Mateo St., Los Angeles, donjulio.com, @DonJulioTequila
El Mariachi at The Green Room
Everyone is a star at The Green Room. Burbank’s coolest cocktail lounge is getting in on the Cinco de Mayo spirit. Fashioned after the green rooms in theaters and studios where performers relax when they are not on stage or camera, The Green Room is serving up El Mariachi Agave de Cortes Mezcal, Giffard’s Triple Sec, blood orange and Fresno chile.
1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank, tgrburbank.com, @tgrburbank
Chicha Morada Margarita at Pikoh
Pikoh will be serving the special Chicha Morada Margarita, a Peruvian take on the classic margarita with purple corn, pineapple, apple, lemon, tequila and spices for $7.
11940 W. Pico Blvd., Pikohla.com, @pikohla
Margarita Verde at Water Grill
Make your friends green with envy this Cinco by ordering the Margarita Verde from Venice Boardwalk’s Water Grill. The fresh sipper is made with Silver tequila, agave syrup, fresh lime, cucumber, basil and jalapeno served over ice with an ancho chile salted rim.
205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, thewaterfrontvenice.com, @thewaterfrontvenice
Paloma at Petite Taqueria
Petite Taqueria will be open all day Sunday starting at noon for a Cinco De Drinko bash! In addition to a tamale cart, build your own nacho bar and margarita bar, guests will find drink specials and traditional Mexican cocktails on the menu like the Paloma is made with Casamigos blanco, Pamplemousse, Campari, lime, grapefruit, and @jarritos grapefruit soda. Enjoy while bumping to the sounds of William Lifestyle and Mark Jackson.
755 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, Petitetaqueria.com, @petitetaqueria
Drink Your Vegetables at Ever Bar
Healthy and Cinco de Mayo aren’t usually used but in the same sentence, but Ever Bar, at The Kimpton Everly Hotel, has a guilt-free, fresh Mexican-inspired cocktail on its menu. The Drink Your Vegetables is made with Espolon Reposado Tequila, Cointreau Gai-Lan broccoli black garlic shrub, lime and agave.
1800 Argyle Ave., Los Angeles, Everlyhotelhollywood.com, @everbarla
The Bartender Always Lives at Double Take
The Bartender Always Lives cocktail at Double Take at Hotel Palomar Los Angeles – Beverly Hills was created in homage to Robert Rodriquez’s film “Desperado.” It features Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, jalapeno infused El Jimador Blanco tequila, fresh lime, agave nectar and muddled baby tomatoes.
10740 Wilshire Blvd. #101, Los Angeles, doubletakela.com, @doubletakela
Flor de Nopal at Birds & Bees
Busy Sunday? You can still celebrate the Mexican holiday at Birds & Bees, downtown L.A.’s favorite underground bar. Since it is closed on Sunday, May 5, head there Friday or Saturday and get your fiesta on with their Flor de Nopal (cactus flower in Spanish). Bar Manager Jake Larowe’s twist on the typical tequila cocktail is made with tortilla chip washed tequila, lime juice, orange, and nopal syrup, and finished with a Frito crusted rim.
Birds & Bees, 207 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, Birdsandbeesla.com, @birdsandbeesla
Spicy Señorita at Station Hollywood
Want to kick up the heat his holiday? Head to Station Hollywood and order the Spicy Senorita. The Cinco-inspired cocktail at the W Hollywood is made with Don Julio Blanco, El Silencio Mezcal, pineapple, lime juice, simple syrup and jalapeño.
6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, stationhollywood.com, @whollywoodhotel
El Chavito at MiniBar Hollywood
MiniBar Hollywood is a cool, retro-inspired cocktail spot located on the ground floor of the Best Western Hollywood Hills. Among the vintage decor, drink down the El Chavito 2 this Cinco de Mayo, a citrusy margarita with Reposado tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, a splash of orange juice and simple syrup, topped with a cinnamon-sugar rim and an orange slice garnish.
6141 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, Minibarhollywood.com, @minibarhollywood
Mezcal Margarita at Ace Hotel DTLA
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in an alternative way with Mezcal El Silencio at Ace Hotel DTLA on Sunday, May 5 at 5 p.m. for a Discoteca Silencio DJ battle between KCRW’s Garth Trinidad and Sun Lee. Something a little different this year, forgo the mariachi bands, pitchers of sweet drinks and sombreros for a cool take on the holiday with craft cocktail specials and some fun surprises. While you are there, sip the sexy and smoky Mezcal Margarita made with El Silencio Espadin, fresh lime juice and agave nectar, garnished with a salt rim and a lime wedge.
929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, silencio.com/cinco2019, @mezcalelsilencio
Caged Canary at High Bar
If you are headed to the desert for the weekend, swing by High Bar, Downtown Palm Springs’ only rooftop bar, located at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel. One of the retro libations served in the sky is the Caged Canary, made with Espolon Blanco tequila, guava, lime and spicy chilies.
100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, rowanpalmsprings.com, @highbarpalmsprings
Salsa Smash at Sorra
Sorra is a relaxed, breezy, open-aired restaurant with a fun and international vibe. The menu combines Mexican, Chinese, Peruvian, Japanese as well as a variety of other flavors from around the world. One the bar menu, guests will find the Salsa Smash made with Blanco tequila, mango, cilantro and fresh lime. This cocktail screams summer is almost here!
1550 N El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, @sorrahollywood
Acapulco Bleu at Here & Now
Drink like you are on a Mexican vacation at Arts District cocktail hotspot Here And Now. The Acapulco Bleu cocktail is made with Arette Reposado Tequila, Combier Bleu, lime, and pineapple. Celebrating with your squad? The cocktail is available in large format for four friends, served in a suitcase.
300 S. Santa Fe Ave., Suite N, Los Angeles, hereandnowdtla.com, @hereandnowdtla
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