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With Cinco de Mayo just days away, you might be entertaining thoughts of hosting a fabulous party, but looking for something more than tacos, chips, and salsa? If so, I've got just the inspiration you need! My 28 Festive Mexican-Inspired Party Recipes includes fresh and fun beverages (both with and without alcohol), appetizers, mains, sides, and a couple of cool and refreshing desserts. You won't want to miss a single one!
👩🏻🍳 Tamara Talks - About Mexican Food
Having spent all but 5 of my 57 years in border states, and currently living ON the border, Mexican culture has always been a part of my life. I would like to take a moment to dispel the notion that Mexican food is not healthy.
If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you know that much of my focus as a food blogger is on Mexican/Latin American flavors, and the cuisine is rich, varied, and can be very healthy. I feel the need to address a few raised eyebrows, too. I occasionally post recipes for cocktails, and I certainly enjoy them. 😀 "All things in moderation" is the motto at Andersen casa. We occasionally eat bacon and desserts too... 😉
In curating this collection, I went through 203 recipe links submitted by my food blogging colleagues... whew! I knew I needed to edit. I received dozens of amazing tacos recipes which I opted to save for another post, and opted to bring you recipes for a party menu - festive beverages, appetizers, mains, sides, and two frozen and fabulous desserts. It's time to get planning your Cinco de Mayo party!
🍹 Cinco de Mayo Party Beverages
Start your festive Cinco de Mayo party off with a cocktail or a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage!
Party Cocktails and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
A tropical margarita made with local, seasonal fresh tropical fruit and good 100% agave tequila is a perfect sipper on its own, or paired with spicy food!
This Fresh Blood Orange Margarita has an optional smoky salted rim. The fresh citrus flavors of the blood orange make this a sweet and tart cocktail, and the smoked paprika salted rim gives it a little something extra.
Not your mamasita's margarita recipe! This spicy Cinco de Mayo cocktail boasts big flavor and tiny bubbles.
A summery twist on the classic frozen margarita with a black pepper kick – the perfect drink to enjoy all summer long! So easy to make too, all you need is a blender!
A tropical flavored Margarita, that can be easily made alcohol free!
Watermelon Jalapeño Agua Fresca is not only vibrant and pretty to look at, but it is very refreshing and this one comes with a little kick.
A non-alcoholic refreshing papaya and mango agua fresca perfect for your Cinco de Mayo festivities!
🍤 Cinco de Mayo Appetizers
Serve one of these fabulous Mexican-inspired appetizers to get the party started! You'll find finger foods and dips. Check it out!
Party Appetizers
Octopus Ceviche (aka ceviche de pulpo) combines tender octopus with tangy lime juice, red onions, cilantro and chiles for a light and refreshing appetizer. Serve it with tortillas or chips and enjoy!
This Coctel de Camarones is a healthy, refreshing appetizer full of tender, delicious shrimp, tomatoes and all your favorite Mexican condiments!
Roasted corn combined with jalapeno, red onions, sour cream, Cotija cheese, and some chili powder for spice. Served in an edible cup makes a delicious party appetizer or side dish.
Toss everything in the food processor, and you've got a Mexican hummus dip that's perfect for snacking, football parties, Cinco de Mayo ... ANYtime!
A traditional guacamole meets a whole lotta flava!
This shrimp salsa is light, refreshing, and super flavorful with fresh tomatoes, lime juice, onions, cilantro, spicy jalapenos, and plump, juicy shrimp! You really can't go wrong for a tasty party snack!
🍛 The Main Event (Main Dishes)
Your Cinco de Mayo party main dish need not be complicated! Simple, healthy, flavorful food is best... Take a look at these simple but flavorful mains that will leave you free to entertain your guests!
Cinco de Mayo Mains
This Citrus Marinated Grilled Shrimp is an easy grilled shrimp kabob recipe marinated in fresh citrus and herbs, and grilled on an outdoor grill for a smokey flavor.
A simple grilled chicken breast (or thigh) rubbed with tajín, this Grilled Tajín Chicken Breasts recipe features homemade tajín with just 3 ingredients, red chile powder, crystallized lime, and sea salt. The spicy rub turns ordinary grilled chicken into something special!
Tequila Braised Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas (Oven Roasted Carnitas)
Moist, juicy, tender with crisp, brown edges, and incredibly flavorful Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas cooked completely in the oven, with more spices, lime juice, milk, tequila and lard (or vegetable oil) to impart as much flavor as possible!
Cilantro lime chicken is a zesty Mexican inspired marinated dish with a subtle sweetness and a fresh pop of flavor that is just insanely delicious.
To make this, you'll want to have all of your prep work done before you put your corn and shrimp, steak or chicken on the grill. The whole meal comes together quickly once you pull them off.
Simple, quick, and healthy, chamoy glazed salmon features a sweet, spicy, tart chamoy glaze and is ready in minutes!
🌶 Cinco de Mayo Sides
Every awesome main dish needs a good side (or two)! Consider a couple of these flavorful and healthy sides!
Cinco de Mayo Sides
A creamy, yogurt and mayonnaise-based sauce with ancho, garlic, lime, cotija, and cilantro coats fresh, grilled sweet corn... A great side dish with a cumin-rubbed and grilled chicken breast or pork chop!
A simple, flavorful Mexican cilantro rice to pair with your favorite Mexican mains!
Mexican Red Rice (Arroz Rojo) is a super flavorful, easy, gluten free side dish to serve with your Mexican mains... Or try adding rotisserie chicken or topping with an egg for a quick meal!
Charred sweet corn with jalapeno, bell pepper, cumin, garlic, cotija and cilantro in a quick and easy Mexican side dish...
Borracho beans (drunken beans) without pork fat but with all the flavor of the traditional!
Black Beans Rice is spicy and incredibly delicious, nutty flavored vegetarian Mexican rice recipe that is a frequent dish at our dinner table.
🍰 Cinco de Mayo Desserts!
Last (but not least) dessert... DRUMROLL! Hey, it's a celebration, and a dessert is in order!
Cinco de Mayo Desserts
The fresh flavors of strawberry, coconut and lime make up the festive stripes of these Cinco de Mayo themed popsicles.
This lime sherbet is tangy, salty, creamy and refreshing, and super easy to make! It’s got all the flavours of a classic margarita, (optionally) MINUS the alcohol, so even kids can enjoy this all summer year long!
An elegant dessert for a special occasion... it's worth the extra effort!
Marissa says
Tamara, you know how to build a beautiful lineup of dishes. I just bookmarked a dozen recipes to try. What a complement that you chose my Mexican Street Corn Salad with Spicy Shrimp to include here. Thank you! I wish I could have you over for dinner to make it for you myself. You bring those Exotic Tropical Margaritas, okay? 😉
Tamara says
Thanks Marissa! That Mexican Street Corn Salad with Spicy Shrimp is calling my name 🙂 I'd love to bring the margaritas!
Michelle - Giraffes Can Bake says
Now, this is my kind of party!
Drink in one hand, apps in the other please!!
Tamara says
Come on over Michelle!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
I'm so hungry now!!! I agree 100% with your take on healthy. Moderation baby.
Tamara says
It's all about moderation 😉
Sonal says
Wow 203 posts...it is a rough job to skim through so many posts!! But what a collection Tamara! Absolut y loved each and every submission! Thank you sooo much for including mine as well!! ❤️
Will be sharing on my social media!!
Sonal
Tamara says
Your Tropical Margarita look and sounds delightful Sonal! I can't wait to try it... Yes, 203 posts to sort through. I think people love Cinco de Mayo!