Properly Sauced: Celebrate Cinco De Mayo With... Gin?

By Anthony Todd in Food on May 4, 2012 5:40PM

Gin isn't the first spirit that comes to mind when someone mentions Cinco De Mayo. But this cocktail combines gin, jalapeno, cucumber and lime in a combination so spicy and refreshing that it would be perfect to start off a party. Plus, it was created for Chef Rick Bayless, and if he approves, we can't say it isn't good enough. This cocktail was created for "A Taste for the Arts," a gala to support the Chicago Academy for the Arts. It's got enough speciality ingredients that it's only worth making for a party.

Once the party gets going, switch over to tequila. We've been obsessed with punch lately. This recipe combines tequila, aperol, prosecco and pink grapefruit juice and is 100 percent guaranteed to convert anyone who doesn't like tequila into a believer.

La Luna

2 parts Hendrick's Gin
1 part Cucumber Juice
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
1 part Mild Jalapeno Syrup
2 parts Soda
Garnish: (Kosher) Salted Cucumber Spear

Cucumber Juice: put whole, unpeeled cucumbers through a juicer. If you don't have one, peel and seed the cucumbers, throw them in a blender and strain through a fine sieve.

Jalepeno Syrup: Muddle eight seeded, chopped jalapenos with two cups sugar. This should form a thick paste. Combine it with two cups of water in a pot on the stove and heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat slightly and reduce down to about a cup and a half. Don't let it turn to caramel!

Combine gin, cucumber, lime and syrup in a tall glass with ice. Top with soda, stir to combine.

Cinco De Mayo Punch

1 bottle of silver tequila (we use Olmeca or Jimador)
1 bottle of prosecco
4 ounces aperol (or campari, if you must)
1.5 liters pink grapefruit juice
750 ml honey syrup

Honey syrup: mix equal parts honey and water and stir over low heat until dissolved. Note that 750 is exactly the amount of most liquor or wine bottles, so finding something to measure it with should be easy.

Combine all ingredients into a large punch bowl with ice - a single huge block is best. Add about half the grapefruit juice and honey syrup along with all the booze, and then adjust the recipe to taste. Some may want a stronger punch. Stir it all together and serve. Garnish, if you want, with raspberries, grapefruit discs and lime wedges.