Watch and Celebrate The Real Story Behind Cinco de Mayo

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Cinco de Mayo is as good a reason as any to celebrate Paco Ignacio Taibo II book  that traces Mexico’s revolutionary history from 1854-1867, a period he considers foundational to the country.  Watch the  Netflix documentary of it, showing Taibo tracing the route with other historians while narrating the captivating story.

Taibo at the statue of Juarez in Mexico City (Netflix documentary above and below)

The Battle of Puebla is important in Mexican history as in inspiration for freedom and overcoming the odds for it. This is true despite a second battle that ended differently with the French overtaking Mexico City and Napoleon the III eventually establishing  his second Mexican empire outpost that lasted a few years (to replace the land his uncle sold to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase).   First, although considerably outnumbered in this last stand to take over Mexico City, the ragtag assortment of 4000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much better-equipped, over-confident French army twice the size that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.  Credit goes to a young General Zaragoza who inspired them, calling them, “the best children of Mexico.”

They came equipped with 200,000 rations of food and 8,000 rations of wine!   Second, since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by any other European military force.  And third, even though the French army continued to pour in men and arms for the next few years to overtake Mexico, it did not stop the Mexican Revolution of guerillas,  that came to be known as chinakas, literally meaning “without underwear” and that came to define the common people who fight for freedom, “the best children of Mexico.”

Prieto came up with the phrases that inspired the revolution to continue, that another door, a fort, a band of men would rise up whenever the French defeated one (Netflix documentary above and below)

This engaging host is a world-renowned, social activist, historian, professor, journalist, union organizer and author of over 51 books, published in 29 countries and over a dozen languages. The stocky Taibo appears at a distance like an overgrown toddler until a close up shows off his brilliant insights, always carrying a coke and with a cigarette or cigar in his mouth. Read a wonderful description of him by my former journalist  colleague Marc Cooper //(//www.thenation.com/article/paco-taibo-mexico-culture-books)

Interestingly enough, In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla marks the event with an arts festival, a festival of local cuisine, and re-enactments of the battle.  In the US  a drinking party is more usual although there are restaurants, such as Espita Mezcaleria, a Mexican Restaurant in the Washington, DC area who celebrate the holiday with the goal of being “ethical and aware.”  This year they are highlighting a Oaxacan rum from a remote village outside the city and a small brand of mescal, Mezcal Vago -with no frozen margaritas, mariachi band or pinatas.

Cinco de Mayo, Mezcal El Silencio has collaborated with bartenders all over the country to create specialty cocktails at their places or for your own parties.  Recipes are below.

To blend them all up at home, why not use the latest technology? Stainless Steel Shaker33 Cocktail Shaker ($39.95 online at at Shaker33.com).It is made of lightweight acrylic and finished in stainless steel; shatterproof BPA-free Tritan™ plastic that is top rack dishwasher safe.  The 24 oz. large format to enable large cocktail batches to be mixed at once.  The leak-proof containers features an easy-to-open, lockable lid with a Dual Flow strainer for a slow or quick pouring, and a low condensation process that conveniently chills drinks, “not hands.”  Other improvements include a non-slippery and one-handed mixing capability.

Stainless Steel Shaker33 Cocktail Shaker (photo courtesy of Stainless Steel Shaker)

In Los Angeles at Guerilla Tacos, Eric Jordan creates the King Pulque cocktail

  • Mezcal El Silencio
  • Pulque
  • Lime
  • Orange
  • Pineapple
  • Fresno chili
  • Avocado
  • Grapefruit expression

At Barely Disfigured in New York comes the Dirty Old Man

  • El Silencio Mezcal
  • El Jimador Tequila
  • Red chili pepper infused Aperol
  • Pineapple
  • Agave
  • Lime
  • Peychaud bitters

(photo by el Mezcal El Silencio)

Las Manos de Ochoa will be served at Fifth and Rose in San Diego.

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • Ginger
  • Lime
  • Amaro Nonino
  • Orinoco bitters

El Alteño by Whislers’ Brett Esler is the holiday drink in Austin.

  • El Silencio Mezcal
  • Pomegranate liquer
  • Lemon
  • Honey
  • Ancho chile
  • Sal de Gusano

(photo by el Mezcal El Silencio)

Sex Pantherwas created by Kitty Cohens

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • Passionfruit
  • Kitty’s Bitters
  • Lime

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Icehouse (WTF) offers the Frozen Mezcal Margarita by Chase Ware & Seth Gnader

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • The rest is a well-kept secret

(photo by el Mezcal El Silencio)

Roys Boys in Washington, D.C. features the Fuego Verde by Frank Mills

  • 1.5 oz El Silencio Espadin
  • House bloody mix including: Poblano, Jalapeño, green apple, cucumber, green tabasco, olive juice, lime, horseradish, celery salt and green tomatillo Green tomatillo.

The drink is served with a salt & pepper rim, garnished with pickled okra or for a $6 upgrade, a skewer of chicken wing, shrimp, bell pepper, onion, okra is added

24 Carrot Gold was created by William Peribellini at the Waldorf Pool

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • Fresh carrot juice
  • Fresh pineapple juice
  • Fresh lime
  • Agave
  • Garnished with pineapple slice and orchid

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