Cinco de Mayo is always a GREAT excuse to have a party, enjoy great food and drinks with friends, but with the Kentucky Derby falling on the 5th we have two reasons to celebrate! With the help from our foodie concierge in the field, we’ve got some great recipe and party ideas for you.
Salsa-a-Thon! Have your guests make their own favorite salsa and start a Salsa-a-Thon! There will be a great array of salsa for everyone to try and vote which salsa is their favorite! Have each guest bring a container of homemade salsa, a bag of chips and copies of their recipes!
Check out this award worthy recipe:
Peach Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 ripe, yet firm peaches, diced (you can leave the skin on or off)
- 1/4 red onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- a pinch of kosher salt
- the juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1 jalapeno, diced and seeded (optional)
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Salsa is best when it is left to refrigerate a few hours before serving.
- To make this recipe extra special, serve the salsa with cinnamon sugar pita chips
Here is a great site to check for more tasty and healthy Cinco de Mayo snacks! Including Southwestern Turkey Fajitas!
Margarita Jello Bites
Make your Cinco de Mayo party extra special this year my skipping the traditional fare! Instead of having a standard margarita dazzles your guests with margarita jello bites that you put into limes! Your party guests will be wowed on arrival! This is also a great gift to bring if you’re going to a Cinco de Mayo Party!
Ingredients:
This will make approximately 24 lime “wedge” jello bites…feel free to double the recipe. 
- 6-8 limes
- 3 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package Knox unflavored gelatin (2 teaspoons)
- 3 ounces good quality tequila
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier or Cointreau (or Triple Sec if you must)
- sea salt and/or large crystal sugar, for garnish
To get Step by Step instructions on how to make the delicious creations, check out our Pinterest Page!
Here is the site with Step by step instructions that are extremely helpful!
Simple Churros
Running short on time for an authentic Cinco de Mayo Desert? Use our quick trick for Churros- biscuit dough! Cut store-bought biscuit dough and fry them in oil. Once they are golden brown, remove from oil shake with cinnamon and sugar. Here is one of our favorite recipes to use when you aren’t in a hurry!
With the Kentucky Derby sharing it’s day with Cinco de Mayo, you can also make treats to tie into the fun of the race traditions!
Try our non traditional take on a traditional Kentucky Derby Favorite! Your guests will have as much fun eating them as you’ll have making them!
Mint Julep Gelées
Ingredients
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup bourbon
- Garnishes: fresh mint sprigs, coarse sparkling sugar
Preparation
Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a medium saucepan. Let stand 5 minutes. Add mint leaves and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes or until steaming. Let stand 15 minutes. Remove and discard mint leaves. Stir in bourbon. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9- x 5-inch loaf pan. Chill 4 hours to 1 week. Cut into squares. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and coarse sparkling sugar.
Here are just a few photos from a Kentucky Derby Party we coordinated for inspiration!
Take a look at our Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby boards on Pinterest for many more ideas and items!
