Etc. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Some celebration suggestions:

Chilaquiles for breakfast

Lotería at the Farmers Market for lunch

El Carmen, your home bar, or just pick up a bottle of Skinnygirl for a margarita

El Cholo (Western Avenue or Santa Monica locations) or Lares for dinner

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: USPS

Drink It. National Margarita Day.

It's almost five o'clock, and today is National Margarita Day 2011.

A rundown of our favorites in town:

El Carmen (best blend)

Malo (and now Más Malo too)

Lares (their fruit flavors--like peach--are natural and delicious)

Las Perlas (happy hour 7-8pm Tuesday through Friday)

at home (with the right tools and ingredients)

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Drink It. Martini-style margaritas [Thirsty Thursdays!].

I've been hearing talk for a while now of a so-called "Skinny Girl Margarita", invented by Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel. The exact recipe seems to vary--Alexis Bellino on the Real Housewives of Orange County orders hers to be made with some club soda, Frankel makes them in an online video with tequila, orange liquor, and lime, but measurements aren't exact. Margaritas are one of my favorite cocktails (especially when accompanied by a platter of not-exactly-skinnygirl Mexican food!), so I wanted to get it right. Here's a simple and delicious version I decided on. I love that it's very chilled, yet not on the rocks, so it doesn't get watered down if you don't drink it fast.

I hope all the Bravo TV chat hasn't turned you off of this wonderful drink! Give it a try ...

The recipe is as follows:

3 oz. tequila (your call on the brand - Cazadores is a good option)

1 1/2 oz. Cointreau or Patrón Citrónge (or any decent orange liqueur, really)

1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

Shake well in a martini mixer filled a little more than halfway with ice. Serve in a frosted martini glass. Enjoy!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT