It being Cinco de Mayo, the folks at Asylum.com, with the help of Joanne Weir author of “Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites along with a few thoughts from Beam Global Tequila Ambassadors Jaime Rodriguez, Jaime Salas and Eddie Perales — the guys behind Sauza’s Hornitos tequila.

“As Weir stresses the spirit deserves a finer appreciation than it normally receives on the sticky floor of a frat house.”

This is a prefect read for guys ready to take the leap past shots and margaritas (not that there is any thing wrong with them).

Gentleman’s Guide to Drinking Tequila on Cinco de Mayo

It isn’t Cinco de Mayo without margaritas! (OK, so it technically still would be the 5th of May. But not as fun.)

Here are some great recipes for your fiesta.

Whether it’s a classic margarita on the rocks or a frozen concoction with new flavors, it’s margarita time!

Classic Margarita –  You can’t go wrong with the classic margarita (remember, no sour mix!)

Cadillac Margarita — A high-end margarita recipe with Cointreau and Grand Marnier, a reader favorite

Arizona Margarita — Tasty prickly pear margarita that puts a Southwestern spin on Cinco de Mayo

Agave Nectar Margarita — Twist on a traditional margarita made with agave nectar, a sweetner made from the same plant as tequila

Chambord Margarita — Have some fun with a blended margarita featuring Chambord liqueur

Cherry Sling Margarita — Cherry and lime make delicious friends in this margarita

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Herradura’s Cincorita

1.5 oz Tequila Herradura Silver
.5 oz Cointreau
.5 oz Chambord
1.5 oz agave nectar
1.5 oz fresh lime juice

Mix Tequila Herradura Silver, Cointreau, agave nectar and fresh lime juice in a shaker with ice. Pour into a margarita glass rimmed with salt. Pour the Chambord on top, so as to create a crimson floater. Garnish with a lime wedge.

and now as promised some cool tidbits about Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla where Mexico defeated French troops that outnumbered them almost two-to-one – after only two hours of fighting! The holiday has been celebrated in California since 1863, as a symbol of solidarity in response to the French occupation of Mexico from 1863-1867.

Cinco de Mayo is the largest tequila consumption day in the U.S. In fact, Americans can’t get enough of Mexico’s native spirit. Since 2002, U.S. imports of tequila have grown 48% - an average rate of 6.7% per year. In 2008 alone, more than 10.6 million 9-liter cases were sold. Tequila volume continues to grow despite the current recession. Source: Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Cinco de Mayo is so popular in Texas, that the State Legislation only allows the sale of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, Texas’ Independence Day in June, and, in some border areas, for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Source: Texas State Legislation

The spirit of Cinco de Mayo can be seen across U.S. pop culture; in fact, War released a music hit from its 1982 Outlaw album titled “Cinco de Mayo” and in 1998, the U.S. Postal Service released a postage stamp to commemorate the holiday.

During the French occupation, Mexico’s cuisine absorbed French culinary tradition leading to the creation of many delicacies still popular today. Some examples are the chiles en nogada (stuffed chilies in a walnut sauce), conejo en mostaza (rabbit in mustard sauce) and volovanes (puffy pastries based on the French vol-au-vent). Source: Mexican Mercados and Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes

courtesy Herradura Tequila

Cabo Wabo, the Ultra Premium Tequila created by the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar suggests we all rock out this Cinco de Mayo. To help out they created these Tequila cocktails in the fun-loving spirit of Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo Alemja

1 oz Cabo Reposado Tequila
1 oz Cabo Blanco Tequila
1 oz Clamato Juice

Shake it up and serve over ice in a salt-rimmed rocks glass. Rock it out with a Lime Wheel.

Cabo Habanero

2 oz Cabo Reposado Tequila
1 oz Cinzano Dry Vermouth
1 small whole Habanero Pepper for garnish

Add ingredients to an ice-filled rocks glass. Stir and spice it up with a red rocker Habanero Pepper.

Cabo Lima

2 oz Cabo Reposado Tequila
1 oz frozen Limeade Concentrate
2 oz Water
3 oz Pacifico Beer

Mix all ingredients together going heavy on the ice and serve in a highball glass. Stir and liven it up with a lime wheel.

Cabo Gazpachito Shot

Cabo Wabo wants us all to rock out this Cinco de Mayo

1 oz Cabo Blanco Tequila
1 ½ oz Tomato Juice
½ oz Sherry
2 slices of green or red Jalapeño
Cucumber Spear

Shake it all up with ice in a shaker, while you’re rockin’ and rollin’ and strain into the chilled shot glass. Amp it up with a Cucumber Spear. Slam the shot and then eat the Cucumber Spear to finish.

courtesy Cabo Wabo Tequila

A New York company is producing 500,000 cases of Kosher Tequila, and at a whopping 99 proof. Highlighting it’s alcohol content, the makers named it Agave 99. Using methods certified by a rabbi in a Mexican distillery, Agave 99 will be available in the States by Cinco de Mayo (that’s May 5th for all you Gringos). Although Cinco de Mayo is the launch date, the producer, Star Industries, will release a limited amount for passover so observant Jews can celebrate with a premium Tequila. We can’t wait to try it!

Kosher Tequila

Happy Cinco de Mayo. We got links and this great Cocktail

Cinco de Mayo Cocktail

2 1/2 oz. Tequila
1 oz. Grenadine
1 oz. Rose’s Lime Juice

Combine with ice in a shaker and mix well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

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Fun Tequila Ad
Tequila scene from PeeWee’s Big Adventure - from Dethroner. Ok, not really anything to do with the holiday. But why not.
Cocktail Recipe - Three Amigos (pictured)

Join Bartender Weekly for some Tequila shots and the story of Cinco de Mayo.

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