Gonza Tacos & Tequila shares drink recipes for Cinco de Mayo
Cinco De Mayo is an anticipated spring celebration across the United States.
While most Americans probably don't know that the fifth of May marks the date of the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France, many take the opportunity to indulge in traditional Mexican foods, drinks and festivals.
At Gonza Tacos Y Tequila, the WRAL Voters' Choice winner for best tacos, that celebration comes with spicy and sour margaritas.
"We have delicious margaritas here, Mango-Habanero, Pina Cilantro, Passionfruit," Gonza General Manager Madison Nees said. "But the two most ordered are House margarita and Pina Cilantro."
Nees, who works at the Lead Mine Road location in north Raleigh, shared some quick and easy recipes for any Cinco De Mayo celebration.
Recipe: House Margarita
- Ice
- 1.5 ounces of tequila
- .75 ounces of triple sec
- 2 ounces of sour mix
- (Salt rim would be best, or sugar if you rather)
- Shake vigorously and enjoy!
Recipe: Spicy Pepino
- Ice Cucumber, Serrano, lime, agave, mint
- 2 ounces of tequila, top with sour,
- Shake vigorously, strain into glass (if you don't want ice) top with soda water. Enjoy!
Gonza Salamanca, owner of Gonza Tacos y Tequila,, said Cinco De Mayo is always a great holiday for margarita sales.
"I could sell the same amount of alcohol that I sell in a week, in a single day," Salamanca said. "That's how crazy it can get."
Customers like Jessica Rutti say she and her family enjoy dining at the restaurant, especially on Cinco De Mayo.
"We live close by, so we visit here quite frequently with our daughter," said Rutti. "We love the food and the atmosphere. We definitely love the steak tacos."
Salamanca said his goal is for customers to enjoy themselves on the big holiday.
"We want our customers to have a good time; it is all about the experience," said Salamanca. "It's a big party once a year and very exciting.
Gonza Tacos y Tequila will be hosting a family-friendly celebration on Friday. The Lead Mine Road and Cary locations will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.. All locations will be open at 4 p.m. for dinner and will close when the tequila runs out. There will be DJs at each location except Cary.
"We are going to have face painting, a live DJ, food and drinks at the event," said Gonza. "It's a family atmosphere, so everyone can come to celebrate."
Face painters will only be at the Lead Mine Road and Cary locations.
Other local Cinco De Mayo celebrations
- The Casso Raleigh’s Good Day Good Night restaurant will have tacos and margarita specials on Friday, May 5. You can get two tacos (choice of pork, chicken, or shrimp) and a traditional house margarita for $20, available from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Unscripted Durham's rooftop restaurant, The Patio, will celebrate Cinco De Mayo with an evening of live music, margaritas and tacos. On Friday, May 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. there will be live music from local duo Alexandra Valladares and Viajeros Melodiosos, as well as $5 margaritas and pork, fish and chicken tacos.
- Lonerider Brewing will celebrate on Friday, May 5, with celebrations at all three of its locations - two in Raleigh and one in Wake Forest. All three locations will host food trucks and live music.
- Moe's Southwest Grill will be celebration on May 5 by giving out free T-shirts to the first 50 people at each Triangle location.
- Driftwood Cantina will host its Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m. The event will include free face painting (from noon to 2 p.m.), an outdoor grill serving up Birria Tacos along with an outdoor bar with Modelo Especial and frozen margaritas on special.
What is Cinco De Mayo celebrating?
Many can confuse this day with Mexico's Independence Day; Cinco De Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's win over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War, which occurred in the late 19th century – the holiday accumulated popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
