Today is “Cinco de Mayo.” Which in the United States, just becomes another day to consume tacos, margaritas, tequila and Mexican beer. If Cinco de Mayo DOESN’T fall on a Tuesday, then this means you essentially get an “extra” “Taco Tuesday” during this week. What’s NOT to like about that? BONUS TACO TUESDAY!

Cinco de Mayo is NOT a celebration of Mexican Independence. That happens September 16, which is around the time when many bars are serving up “Oktoberfest” parties. Which means you could wear a sombrero to an Oktoberfest party if you like, but chances are people will eyeball you with confusion.  Best stick to the lederhosen and alpine hats – and carry a dachshund under one arm for good measure. Nobody will give you even a sidelong glance (JK)!

Historically – what’s Cinco de Mayo all about? Here’s what Wikipedia says:

The Mexicans defeated French forces on May 5, 1862 under General Ignacio Zaragoza’s leadership in the Battle of Puebla. About a year later, the French came back with lots and lots more soldiers (about 30,000) and kicked the Mexicans’ asses – installing Maximillian I as their leader.

It’s worth noting that the Mexicans were greatly outnumbered in the initial battle – numbering about 4,000 to the French’s 8,000.

Cinco de Mayo has essentially become a drinking holiday in the U.S., with beer sales equaling those generated by the Super Bowl (per Wikipedia). I remember having a very nice Mexican-style “cerveza” when I visited Cheboygan Brewing Company in May, 2018. It was a sunny day, and I enjoyed a couple of this brewery’s take on Corona beer out on their deck (ranking as one of my fondest recent beer memories):

Cheboygan Brewing Co.’s “La Cerveza.” I imagine this place will sell quite a lot of pints of these today! Even more if it’s nice enough to sit outside (unsure what weather has been like in the Northern part of Michigan as of late, I hear they had a blizzard not too long ago). You can only get this beer on draft or in growlers, it is not distributed in cans. Though I wish it was! I’d buy a lot of this beer in the summer months!

Things To Do On Cinco de Mayo

• Learn about Cinco de Mayo
• Call someone a “gringo.”
• Drink a margarita, Mexican beer (or Mexican style beer), shot of tequila, etc. It’s a special occasion – spring for the top shelf tequila today! Casamigos (aka George Clooney tequila), Kah Tequila Reposado (comes in the skull bottle), El Tesoro Añejo, etc. Most places will have Jose Cuervo, but most Mexican joints will have the “bueno” tequila.
• Pretend it’s “Taco Tuesday.”
• Get your pets in on the fun. Serve up cerveza to your cat or dog. Have a tiny sombrero? Make them wear it! Don’t get pet rodents drunk…I have a feeling you don’t want to know what your pet gerbil, rat, hamster or Guinea pig will be like as a drunk.

You like beer – why wouldn’t your cat or dog also like beer?

• Wear a sombrero. You don’t have too many chances to do it.
• Watch a Robert Rodriguez movie. Watch the whole “Mexico” trilogy – Desperado, El Mariachi, Once Upon a Time in Mexico. But ONLY if the weather isn’t nice enough to sit outside and drink a cerveza, a shot of tequila or a margarita! Watching movies is an icky weather activity (unless you’re agoraphobic).
• Form your own mariachi band and play only Besame Mucho.
• Play the song Tequila on a continual loop until you go insane.
• Look up “Warthog music” on YouTube. Play that on a continual loop.
• Watch a Mexican football match.