Have a happy & Healthy Cinco de Mayo!

 "Cinco de Mayo" is well celebrated throughout the United States, with tacos and margaritas getting special attention. In short, it honors Mexico's victory over the French army at the "Battle of Puebla" in 1862 and it is not Mexico's independence day as many believe.

Whatever the reason for YOU to celebrate, I invite you to raise a glass and toast to your health with these fresh and tasty versions of the classic Margarita.  It features fruits packed with phytonutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Phytonutrients are chemicals naturally present in plant foods that help protect them from bugs, germs and other threats and can aid in preventing diseases in our bodies as well.  Choose your favorite from the recipes below and enjoy responsibly!

HEALTHY MARGARITAS

Watermelon Margarita (for one)

Try to get a nice and fully ripe watermelon for its high antioxidant content and sweetness and you won't need any added sugar in this drink. Watermelons are rich in lycopene and vitamin A and lend a beautiful hue to this margarita. 

• 3/4 cup red watermelon, blended
• 1 lime, juiced
• 3 oz tequila (about 6 Tbsp)
• 1 ½ Tbsp triple sec (such as Cointreau, but other orange liqueurs would work as well)
• ice

Rim of the Glass (optional):

• a couple of small watermelon wedges
• sea salt (or organic coconut, date or cane sugar)

To prepare serving glasses - rub a small piece of watermelon around the rim of each glass, turn it upside down and dip into a plate with the salt or sugar, if using. Reserve. Combine the four first ingredients (watermelon and lime juices, tequila and triple sec) in a cocktail shaker, add a few ice cubes and shake for about 20 seconds (you can use a whisk if you don't have a shaker.) Add a couple of ice cubes if desired and strain the drink mixture into each glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge or a slice of lime and enjoy!

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Blackberry Margarita (for one)

• 6-8 blackberries (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 ½ oz tequila 
• 1 oz fresh lime juice (or ½ lime and ½ orange)
• 1 oz agave nectar or simple syrup 
• mint leaves, optional
• ice

Rim of the Glass (optional):

• 1 lime wedge
• sea salt (or organic sugar)
• 2-3 blackberries threaded on a cocktail pick, optional

Muddle blackberries (smashing them with a muddler or spoon) in a cocktail shaker. Add tequila, citrus juices, simple syrup and mint if using. Finish with a few ice cubes and shake for abut 30 seconds. Pour over prepared drinking glass (see recipe above on how to prepare the rim) and garnish with blueberries or a slice of lime. 

Mango Margarita (for one)

• 3-4 Tbsp purée mango
• 1 ½ oz (about 3 Tbsp) tequila
• 1 ½ Tbsp triple sec
• 1 ½ oz (3 Tbsp) lime juice
• ½ oz (1 Tbsp) freshly-squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp simple syrup or agave nectar
• ice

Rim of the Glass (optional):

• 1 lime wedge
• orange wedge or a slice of lime for garnish
• sea salt (or organic sugar)

 
A ripe mango will give you a sweeter drink and you might not even need to add the sweetener. Combine mango, tequila, triple sec, lime and orange juices (and syrup, if using) to a cocktail shaker and shake for about 10-20 seconds. Strain and serve over ice. Adjust sweetness and garnish with a slice of lime. I also tried with a slice of candied lemon and loved it!