3 ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo & the start of al fresco season

Author: The Bar Team

A margarita garnished with lime and salt sits on a blue tiled surface, surrounded by lime wedges, tequila bottles, glasses, salt, and a card with a sun illustration.

From cocktail recipes to entertaining and hosting tips, discover three ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo and the start of summer.

Memorial Day may still mark the unofficial start of summer, but we’re advocating for making Cinco De Mayo the unofficial start of “al fresco” season. After a long winter, soaking up the sunshine with a cocktail in hand is especially sweet, so why not get an early start? Below, we’ve rounded up three simple ways to kick-off Cinco De Mayo and better weather, including a margarita you’ll want to sip all season long.

Two people sit by a pool, clinking glasses with drinks, next to a small table holding a pitcher, a bottle, and cards, with flowers and sunlight in the scene.

Get your outdoor space guest-ready

Whether you’re lucky enough to have a backyard patio, or you make the most of a fire escape, take the time to clean off any outdoor seating. That could mean power washing larger pieces, or just putting poufs and pillows in the wash. Invest in some simple outdoor lighting (even candles can set a great mood for an outdoor dinner!) or make sure your existing decor is all in working order. This way, if the weather is nice, you can pop outside without having a project to do first.

Create the vibe

Four white napkins with colorful piñata illustrations; two say FIESTA! and two show a resting piñata with the word SIESTA. Confetti surrounds the piñatas.

August Morgan

Cocktail Napkins, Fiesta Siesta

Rectangular turquoise tray with scalloped edges and cutout handles on each side, shown against a black background.

Addison Ross

Large Scalloped Edge Tray, Turquoise

A tall, clear glass tumbler with vertical ribbed lines stands against a plain black background.

Nude

Big Top High Ball Glass, Set of 4

A rectangular plaid wool blanket with orange, blue, yellow, and brown checks, featuring fringe on the edges and a navy blue corner lining.

Tartan Blanket Co.

Tartan Picnic Blanket

Clear glass ice bucket with fluted sides, shown next to a pair of gold metal ice tongs with holes and ridged gripping ends, against a black background.

Nude & Prince of Scots

Nude Hemingway Ice Bucket & 24k Gold-Plate Ice Tongs

Seven colorful reusable glass straws, each with a bent neck, are arranged side by side against a plain black background.

Our Dining Table

Reusable Colored Glass Straws, Set of 8

Clear glass bowl with rounded sides and two blue spherical handles on opposite sides, against a plain black background.

Maison Balzac

Dotdot Bowl, Smoke & Blue

Level up an al fresco taco night

You 100% should fire up the grill — but not for burgers and hot dogs. Tacos are the move, especially for Cinco De Mayo, and getting the fillings charred up on the grill is especially tasty. First, start with your corn tortillas: just give them a quick minute or two to char up on the grill. For proteins, you can fire up flank steak, chicken, shrimp or grilled corn mixed with black beans. You can even grill up tomatillos, onions and chiles for fresh salsa verde with a deep, smoky flavor at home. Of course, don’t forget the fixings: fresh radishes, cilantro, onions and cucumber will be perfectly light in warmer temps — with plenty of crema, spicy salsa and queso fresco to top with.

Shrimp and lime slices grilling on a barbecue with drinks, chips, and napkins arranged on a nearby wooden table.

A margarita garnished with lime and salt sits on a blue tiled table, surrounded by tequila bottles, lime wedges, salt, decorated glasses, and a lotería card.

RECIPE

Mix a margarita you’ll pour all season long

Once there is any sign of a warm breeze in the air, you’ll want to start mixing up summery margs. This Casa Tropicál Passionfruit Margarita celebrates Cinco De Mayo and the coming of al fresco season with a tropical twist on the classic margarita. Agave notes from Casamigos Tequila Blanco are met with a touch of light smoke from Casamigos Mezcal, then are blended with ripe tropical flavors — resulting in a margarita recipe that you’ll be serving all summer long.

Get the Recipe

In this recipe

Casamigos

Casamigos Mezcal

750ml

Don Julio

Don Julio Blanco Tequila

750ml

A clear, empty crystal tumbler glass with a thick, textured base is centered against a black background.

Nude

Caldera Double Old Fashioned Glass, Set of Four

A clear glass cup with a metallic copper-colored lid featuring a small loop on top, set against a plain light background.

Nude

Hepburn Shaker with Metal Top

The Bar Team

The Bar Team is a group of behind-the-scenes writers, bartenders and drinks lovers who share tips, trends and easy how-tos. We mix real bar experience with a love of great drinks to help you try new ideas, learn and get inspired.