Austin Cinco De Mayo Fun Guide 2019 ¡​Viva Mexico!

AUSTIN, TX — Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, yielding an opportunity for drinking and merriment on a day of commemoration you likely know nothing about. Quick primer: The date celebrates the Mexican army's implausible victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Interestingly, the holiday is little celebrated in Mexico (that's reserved during Sept. 16, which marks Mexican independence from Spain, which is a rather big deal). In the U.S., it's evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in general, especially in predominantly Mexican-American regions. And, no, the observance has nothing whatsoever to do with mayonnaise.

With that context out of the way, following are some venues planning Cinco de Mayo festivities with specials and tailored cocktails to celebrate. ¡Viva Mexico!

APD/St. Mary's Cathedral Fiesta

The Austin Police Department and St. Mary's Cathedral welcome the public to celebrate a Cinco de Mayo fiesta as a community on Sunday, May 5, 2019. The fiesta will begin at 10:30 a.m. and last until 1:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Cathedral Gymnasium, 203 E. 10th St., Austin, Texas 78741. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley will kick off the fiesta at 11 a.m. with opening remarks and a question and answer session. Come, meet members of the Austin Police Department and learn more about the APD Citizen Police Academy. Guests are invited to bring a traditional dish to share as well. Important information will be shared and there will be fun games, bicycle and gift card raffles and more!

APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR + GRILL

Applebee's is celebrating all month long with its DOLLARITA, a $1 margarita. “The DOLLARITA taught America that $1 is an unbeatable price for a cocktail," said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage and innovation at the restaurant chain. "Where else can you find a good Margarita for only $1, all day, every day? Some might say this is too good to be true, but to them I say, margaritas never lie.” Served in a 10-ounce mug with tequila and a classic Margarita mix, you’ll be ready to make a toast to the drink that started it all. Price, participation and availability of the Neighborhood Drink of the Month may vary by location, and guests must be 21-years old or over to enjoy responsibly. Void where prohibited.

CICLO

98 San Jacinto Blvd.

The modern Texas kitchen featuring Latino-influenced, locally inspired flavors and ingredients plans its "Ciclo de Mayo Brunch" with live music, face painting and, of course,

Ciclo de Mayo Brunch – Ciclo, the modern Texas kitchen featuring locally inspired flavors and ingredients with a Latin influence, will be celebrating Ciclo de Mayo with a Latin-themed brunch, live Latin music, face painting and piñatas. The festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Tickets are $60 per person.

Photo courtesy of Ciclo.

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

11600 Century Oaks Terrace

320 E. 2nd St.

Okay, hold the telefono. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is celebrating Cinco de Mayo all month long with what can only be described as the mother of all margaritas. The upscale steakhouse is partnering with Tequila Ocho, an ultra-premium single estate & single vintage tequila, and Baccarat, the world-renowned fine crystal manufacturer to offer a $100 Prime Margarita from May 1-31. That's not a typo. The $100 Prime Margarita is handcrafted with ultimate premium liquors, including Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo La Latilla and Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire with a lime-wheel-and-pineapple-leaves garnish. It's served in Baccarat's uniquely designed Diamant Tumbler that guests get to take home in an an iconic, red Baccarat's box. Wanna try making it at home? Here's the recipe:

Courtesy photo.

GABRIEL'S CAFE

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave.

Two words: $6 margs. Okay, that's one word and a number designating dollar amount, but you get the drift. If you go, you'll enjoy an ice-cold margarita in honor of Cinco de Mayo with Gabriel’s Tower Margaritas, crafted with Codigo Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier, Ciroc V.S. Cognac, and House Sour Mix. Tasty bites to enjoy during the holiday include Gabriel’s Nachos topped with either smoked brisket, tinga chicken, or pork carnitas or their selection of tacos, quesadillas, and tuna tostadas. This will go on all day, hermanos y hermanas. Again, that's $6 for each Tower Margarita.

INDUSTRY

110 E. Martin Luther King Dr., San Marcos, TX

Just a short drive from Austin, Industry will be staging its Cinco de Mayo celebration with $4 Milagro Margaritas, frozen or on the rocks all day on Sunday, May 5th. There will also be brunch offerings, corn hole and ping pong. What more could you possibly need?

¡Es un milagro! More specifically, the Milagro Margarita from Industry. Courtesy photo.

RANCH 616

616 Nueces St.

Join Tequila Cazadores as the brand hosts ¡Dame Cinco! at Ranch 616 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This Cinco de Mayo event will be open to the public for those 21 and up. Cleverly, the cinco (again, that's "five" in Spanish, but you already knew that) theme will be suffused throughout, with $5 food and drink specials and a game show-styled sampling experience challenging patrons to name 5 Mexican people, places or things when prompted. As if that weren't enough, there will be karaoke — Kariachi, if you will — with mariachi accompaniment.

Image courtesy of Cazadores.

SCHOLZ GARTEN

1607 San Jacinto Blvd.

Scholz Garten, an eatery that pays tribute to German culture each day with genuine culinary fare and music, will honor Mexican culture with a good ole fiesta-style celebration on Cinco de Mayo. Guests can expect music provided by DJ "Giant Hornets from Japan" and Selena tunes on repeat throughout the event. Drink offerings include Micheladas, Draft Margaritas, and Gem & Bolt Mezcal specials. Scholz will also be serving sizzlin' fajita taco specials in celebration. Steeped in history, Scholz is thelongest-running beer garden in America after being established in 1866. The Texas Legislature honored its tradition in 1966, recognized Scholz for its status as “...a gathering place for Texans of discernment, taste, culture, erudition, epitomizing the finest tradition of magnificent German heritage in our State.”

Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

YARD HOUSE

DOMAIN NORTHSIDE, 11800 Domain Blvd., Suite 700

Billed as "the modern American gathering place where beer and food lovers unite," Yard House will be offering $5 House Margaritas, Salted Watermelon Margaritas and Pomegranate Margaritas, until 11 p.m. at all Texas locations on May 5. Just look how refreshing and deliciosa the salted watermelon marg looks:

Photo courtesy of Yard House.

TWANG RECIPES FOR CINCO DE MAYO

The good folks at Twang — the San Antonio-based producer of flavored salts and seasonings that take drinks, snacks and meals to the next level — were kind enough to send recipes featuring their product. "With Latin roots being the inspiration for all their products, Twang is essential when truly toasting to Cinco de Mayo and celebrating Mexico’s rich heritage and culture," officials wrote. Well, we're not sure that Emiliano Zapata or Pancho Villa ever toasted with Twang-infused drinks, but we're not about to argue. Below are some of Twang's favorite Mexican-inspired cocktail recipes you can enjoy at home once you get a hold of some Twang, sold at fine stores everywhere. Or, if you prefer, here's a Twang-A-Rita Amazon Prime link for your ordering needs..

Margarita con Twang

"The origins of the Margarita are debated, but many believe it was created by Danny Herrera in 1938 somewhere around Tijuana, Mexico," Twang officials wrote. "The drink was supposedly named after a woman named Marjorie King who was allergic to most liquors with the exception of tequila."
Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 3 ounces tequila
• 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• ½ to 1 teaspoon orange liqueur
• 1 tablespoon lime-salt-sugar
• 2 tablespoons of Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime

Instructions

Rim a glass with Twang-A-Rita Lime Salt and set aside. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, Simple Syrup and orange liqueur. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready by the time the shaker mists up.) Place Lime-salt-sugar on a plate. Press the rim of a chilled rocks or wine glass into the mixture to rim the edge. Strain margarita into the glass.

Photo of the Margarita con Twang courtesy of Twang.

Twang Classic Michelada w/Clamato Salt

"The Michelada’s origins are also widely debated, but its country of origin is not," Twang says. "The most popular theory is the use of the Mexican slang term for beer “chela” mixed with “helada” meaning cold. Thrown together you roughly get mi chelada or 'my cold beer.' Okay, now that seems rather plausible. The Mexican beer cocktail is a staple across Texas as a way to combat the sweltering heat. Twang Beer Salt Amazon Prime link.
Ingredients

• Twang Clamato Salt
• 1 lime
• 4 oz Clamato Mix
• 1 Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 Dashes of Tabasco (or preferred hot sauce)
• 1 12 oz Beer
• Ice as needed
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

Instructions
Rim a glass with Twang Clamato Salt. In a shaker combine lime juice, clamato, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce then shake well to chill. Pour in glass with ice; fill with beer. Lastly, add the lime wedge for garnish.

Photo courtesy of Twang.

Paloma

The Paloma (that's dove, in Spanish) was likely created by Don Javier Delgado Corona in Tequila, Mexico, the Twang experts tell us. "This sweet and sour cocktail is just the thing to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with and Twang has the perfect recipe that can be made at home." Here's how:

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz tequila blanco
• 1.5 oz grapefruit juice
• 1.5 oz Topo Chico
• .5 oz simple syrup
• 2 lime wedges
• Grapefruit twist for garnish
• Twang-A-Rita Paloma Love

Instructions

Rim a glass with Twang-A-Rita Paloma Salt and set aside. In a cocktail shaker add lime wedges, simple syrup and muddle together. Add the remaining ingredients and shake with ice until chilled. Strain drink into the Twang-A-Rita rimmed glass and top with Topo Chico then garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Here's a Twang-A-Rita Amazon Prime link for ordering. And below, una paloma blanca/I'm just a bird in the sky/Una paloma blanca/Over the mountain I fly...Oops, sorry. Got carried away thinking of that Ranch 616 kariachi.

Photo courtesy of Twang.

Venue operators: Send us your Cinco de Mayo events information so we can include them on this list! Send an email to antonio.cantu@patch.com. ¡Muchas gracias!