Buzzed: Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

This week, just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Café Salsa’s Emmanuel Nadal shows us how to make two refreshing drinks: a Cuban mojito and a margarita. Follow these recipes for your own at-home fiesta. By Alejandro Salinas

Comments () | Published May 1, 2009

The rest of this week may say otherwise, but we know spring and its accompanying pleasant weather have (finally) arrived in town. Inspired by Monday and Tuesday’s heat wave, and in anticipation of many more to come, we stopped by DC’s Café Salsa (1712 14th St. NW; 202-588-5286), to get the restaurant’s recipes for two warm-weather cocktail staples: the margarita and mojito. Below, bartender Emmanuel Nadal demonstrates how to make these two drinks. Check the videos out and make sure you get the recipes so you can make these drinks at home.

Café Salsa Margarita

1½ ounces Patron Silver tequila
1 ounce Patron Citronge liqueur
1 ounce Café Salsa margarita mix*
1 ounce Rose’s lime juice plus more for dipping
Salt to taste
Splash of Grand Marnier
Lime wedge

*The Café Salsa margarita mix is a house secret, but you can make your own by dissolving two heaping tablespoons of superfine sugar in an ounce of lime juice—or you can purchase premade margarita mix.

Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Citronge liqueur, margarita mix, and lime juice. Shake.

Dip glass rim in remaining lime juice, then salt to lightly coat the edge of the glass. Pour the shaker’s content into the glass. Add a splash of Grand Marnier. Garnish with lime wedge.

Cuban Mojito

6 slices of lime
Small handful of mints
1 ounce simple syrup
2 ounces Bacardi white rum
Splash sour mix
Splash soda
1 sugar-cane stick
Lime wedge

Directions:
In a highball glass, combine the lime slices and mint. Add the simple syrup and muddle. Fill the glass with ice. Add the rum, sour mix, and soda. Shake. Garnish with sugar cane and lime wedge.

Related:
Cinco de Mayo All Around Town

More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events