Why is that we only celebrate some holidays for the months leading up to them and not just on their respective anniversaries? I mean Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, and Hanukah even….all get a few weeks of lawn decorations, color coordinated table settings, grocery store displays near the cash registers and maybe even a matching animal costume or two. And then there’s the holidays like St. Patrick’s day, and Cinco de Mayo….two of many holidays that are a blast, but only for 24 hours.

I mean Cinco de Mayo is a big deal…or at least it should be. It’s the commemoration of the triumph of a poorly equipped Mexican army that was half the size of the an 8,000 troop French army (known at the end of the 19^th century as the strongest army in the world), in a battle at the city of Puebla. The victory over Napoleon III’s military, not only expunged Mexico of their debts to France, but also unified a nation and bolstered a resistance movement, which has lead to a bustling country in the global economy…..well…I don’t read the economist or anything so I’ll just say it’s led to a country rich with delicious foods and culture, and some of the most qualified gardeners in America! I’m just messing you with….all though many of them actually have green thumbs!

So I want to propose a shift in the way things are normally done. I’d like to start a new tradition. One that requires those of us who are capable and willing, to drink margaritas every day for the month of May. I know that might seem a little excessive, but the Latino vote is becoming more and more important in American politics, and I think it’s critical we start to embrace the lineage, national holidays and traditions of the cultures that have been woven into the fabric of our country’s history for nearly a century.

So here’s a fantastic recipe we developed for delicious and super simple frozen margaritas that are made from scratch with fresh fruit and only a few ingredients. No sugary mixes or special blenders needed for these. Just a willingness to indulge in a drinkable tequila stained bliss!

Strawberry & Raspberry Frozen Margaritas

Ingredients:

Makes 4 servings

• 4 shots of reposado tequila (or whatever tequila you’d like)
• 2 shots of Patron Citronge (or Grand Marnier, or Triple sec)
• 2 tbslp agave nectar
• 1 shot fresh squeezed lime juice
• ½ cup of fresh strawberries
• ½ cup of fresh raspberries
• 3 cups of ice cubes

First fill the pitcher of a blender with the fruit, liquor and juices. Add the ice just before blending to eliminate unnecessary melting before you start the blender. Blend everything until smooth and chunk-less. Serve it up with a lime wedge for garnish and enjoy.

Tid Bits:

• You can use any fruit you like in this recipe. If you don’t have raspberries, just use all strawberries or vice versa. Or throw in some blackberries or blueberries if you want. Doesn’t really matter.
• Think about throwing in a spring of fresh mint if you want to add a hint of cool to the flavor profile.
• Play with your citrus. If you don’t want to use limes, you can try lemons, blood oranges, plain oranges or grapefruits. Some margarita flavors are going to work better with others, but there’s no limit to your exploring.
• If you like your margaritas less sweet, only use 1 or 1.5 tblsp of agave, and if you’re watching calories, consider using a sugar substitute like Splenda or Stevia.
• For a more Slurpee consistency, use frozen fruit and blend it for a little longer.