Holiday Drinks: Mexican Fiesta San Antonio Style

A Mexican Fiesta is a party. Not just a party, but also a festival, a carnival, and a myriad of music combined with a ton of food and drink. Many Mexican Fiestas last for days and usually take a year to organize.

Fiesta San Antonio is an annual event. Falling around April 21, Fiesta celebrations last for 10 days. For San Antonio natives, Fiesta honors the history, culture, and the heroes that defended the Alamo and battled at San Jacinto.

From the early roots of Fiesta until now the celebrations have blossomed into a grand scale operation. A commission of volunteers organizes year round to bring Fiesta San Antonio to fruition.

None of the events are government funded. The Fiesta Commission funds the events of some participating organizations through donations from private citizens, membership dues, corporate participation, and concession sales from the events. The Fiesta Commission also helps organize events that are self-supported.

The Battle of Flowers, one of Fiesta's largest parades, owes its beginnings to a group of local women. In 1891 these women adorned their carriages with flowers and paraded before the Alamo tossing flowers at each other. The women were commemorating the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place on April 21, 1836, and marked Texas winning independence from Mexico. To this day, the Battle of Flowers is still organized and directed by women.

In 1909 John Carrington spearheaded the Order of the Alamo. One of the earliest organizations, the Order of the Alamo members gathers once a year to select the royalty for the next year's festivities. Featured in many events, the court includes a queen, a princess, and 24 duchesses--12 locals and 12 from out of town.

No queen would be complete without her king. Throughout Fiesta San Antonio's history there has been King Cotton, King Selamat (tamales backwards), King Omala (Alamo backwards) and King Antonio. Early in Fiesta's roots there were years where kings were absent from the court. To solve this, John Carrington formed the Texas Cavaliers in 1926. One purpose of the Texas Cavaliers was to select the king.

Since 1925, Fiesta San Antonio has included a somber tribute to those who fought at the Alamo. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the group of women organized to preserve Texas history, have a memorial ceremony: a pilgrimage walk in tribute to the heroes that defended the Alamo and Texas heritage. The walk is serene. The participants, civil, military, and school groups, bear wreaths and walk to the Alamo while the heroes' names ring through the air. The finally of the pilgrimage is a memorial service.

Fiesta San Antonio enthusiasts can expect events ranging from balls to parades. There are carnivals, music shows, art and craft shows and everything in between. The span of events entertains upwards of 3 million total attendees over the 10-day period. For more information or a listing of events see Fiesta San Antonio.

What are your plans for Fiesta? Food and drink are a major part of the festivities. How about trying a few Fiesta inspired cocktails to enhance your party?

Margarita

1 ½ oz Tequila
½ oz Triple Sec
1 ½ oz sour mix
2-3 dashes of Roses Lime juice

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add your ingredients and shake. Rim a chilled margarita glass with salt by moistening the rim with a slice of lime and dipping it into a plate with salt. Strain your mix into the glass and garnish with a lime.

To make a Frozen Margarita you reduce the amount of sour mix by ½ oz. Put about 4 oz of small cubed or crushed ice in a blender, add your ingredients, and blend on medium for about 15 seconds or until smooth.

For a Grand Gold Rita use Cuervo Gold or 1800 for your tequila and Grand Marnier for your triple sec.

Mexican Missile

¾ oz Tequila (light)
¾ oz Green Chartreuse
A dash of Tabasco

In a shot glass, pour in your tequila and green Chartreuse. Top with the Tabasco to taste. Some like more Tabasco than others so ask for their preference.

Mexican Screw

2 oz Tequila (light)
Orange juice

Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Pour in your tequila and fill with orange juice. Stir and garnish with a slice of orange.

To make a Mexican Screw into a Tequila Sunrise, add your ingredients stir and top with ½ oz of Grenadine and allow it to rise. Pouring the Grenadine down the back of a spoon will help the liquid spread and make a more impressive sunrise. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.

Mexican Seabreeze

2 oz Tequila (light)
Cranberry juice cocktail
Pineapple juice

Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Pour in your tequila and fill with equal parts of your juices. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Sombrero

2 oz Kahlua
1 oz cream (½ &½)

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add your Kahlua and top with cream. Stir and serve.

Spanish Moss

1 ½ oz Tequila (light)
1 oz Kahlua
Several drops of Green Crème de Menthe

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Pour in your tequila and Kahlua and shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drizzle several drops of Green Crème de Menthe on top.

Spanish Town

1 ½ oz Light Rum
2 dashes of Triple Sec

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add your ingredients and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Tequila Popper

1 oz Tequila (light)
½ oz 7-up or Ginger Ale

Pour your tequila into a shot glass-a 2-4 oz shot glass is preferable-and top with your soda choice. Cover the glass with a napkin and hold the top with the palm of your hand. Slam the glass on the bar or table top and drink as it fizzes.

Remember to drink responsibly and in moderation. Always designate a driver because drinking and driving do not mix.

Sources:

Personal experience
http://www.fiesta-sa.org/about-history.aspx
Feller, Robyn M. The Complete Bartender. New York: Berkley Books, 1990.