April 2015 - Macayo's Mexican Food

Countdown to Cinco Day 3: Cinco de Mayo Beverages

As we countdown to Cinco with ideas for the best Cinco de Mayo fiesta ever, we can’t forget drinks! We have shared a lot about the perfect margarita, the history of tequila, and even about a few tequila drinks we love, but we’ve got a few extra pieces of advice for you to keep in mind for a Cinco de Mayo party. The first? Celebrate with us! From May 1 – 5, we’ll have drink specials at all Macayo’s locations – and we’d love to see you! Today, as you celebrate with friends and family up until (and on!) the big day, keep these drink ideas in mind and your fiesta guests will thank you.

Use the finest, freshest ingredients

Using time-tested ingredients will make your margarita incomparable. Fresh-squeezed lime, original tequila and sweet agave nectar creates a beautiful, summery margarita. Frozen margaritas are a favorite of many, but a margarita on the rocks is simpler to make for large groups – and plus, you can enjoy the taste of fresh ingredients even more with a margarita on the rocks.

Share an array of tequilas

For those who love tequila on the rocks, an array of unique tequilas is a good thing to keep on hand. Many people have different preferences, and it’s good to know the basic differences between tequilas. See below:

Tequila Reposado: Aged in barrels for a new months, but no longer than a year. Slight golden tint; smooth taste.
Tequila Añejo: Aged in oak barrels for at least a year. Golden tequila, very smooth for sipping on the rocks.
Tequila Extra Añejo: Generally aged for more than three years. Has a beautiful mahogany color, high alcohol content. Great on its own.
Tequila Blanco: Generally unaged, used most often in classic or fruity margaritas.
Tequila Joven: Tequila similar to blanco but found with other flavors, such as extra sugar or caramel.

There are many non-alcoholic beverages to keep on hand for your fiesta, as well – especially for the little ones and those who don’t like to to drink. A few ideas include:

Horchata
Mexican hot chocolate
Aqua Fresca
Fresh-squeezed citrus juices, such as grapefruit, lemon and lime – which pair well together!

Check out our guide to non-alcoholic beverages for your Cinco de Mayo party!

Be sure to stop by your closest Macayo’s for the perfect Cinco margarita – and share any photos you take with #CincodeMacayo! From May 1 to 5, we’ll have the following drink specials at every location:

$4.00 Dos XX Drafts
$6.00 Beer & Shot Special (Dos XX Draft & Shot of 1800 Reposado Tequila)
$8.49 Original Margarita
$7.99 1800 Margarita
$8.99 Beerita

Can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Countdown to Cinco Day 2: Choosing Good Food

As Cinco de Mayo comes closer and closer, we’re counting down the days (and hours!) by giving you ideas for a fun, family-filled Cinco de Mayo fiesta. We began with a few simple ideas for creating the perfect table, which provides the centerpiece for conversation, good times and of course – food! Obviously, we have a deep love of fresh, quality food here at Macayo’s, and we love sharing that with you. Every week we share simple, fresh Mexican recipes, and today, we’re picking out a few of our favorites to help you have the perfect Cinco de Mayo party. Take a look below at a few Macayo’s favorites (which we will gladly provide for your fiesta!) and the ways in which we set them up for every party goer to enjoy.

Easy favorites

A few of our easy favorites are taquitos and tacos (Carne Asada, Fajita Chicken, and Pork Carnitas, of course!) Guests love these items because not only are they simple to eat but pair flavorfully with any type of salsa, fresh guacamole and cheese. We also love how easy these items are to serve. We paired them on a tiered silver platter that’s accessible for everyone – including the younger guests! The key here is to think of foods that many guests will enjoy, and that are flavorful and easy to enjoy.

Everyone’s favorite: nachos

Have you ever met anyone that wasn’t a fan of nachos? They’re delicious, simple to make and full of lots of flavor. The key is to use fresh ingredients that are cut, chopped and put together very soon before party guests begin enjoying the dish. You want hot, crispy nachos with fresh, vibrant cilantro and melted cheese. Don’t overthink your fiesta menu! Nachos may seem a little messy for a fiesta, but keep in mind that they are a favorite!

Traditional desserts, with a twist

One of the best things about sopapillas is that they can be enjoyed with many different toppings. Like all of our dishes, we kept these simple, using jam and confectioner’s sugar. You can set these up for guests to enjoy with toppings such as honey, maple syrup or other types of preserves – the delicious options are endless! For any dessert you choose to serve, don’t think within the box. Branch out with different toppings and let your guests customize how they choose to do so!

The key to perfect fiesta food is to keep everything fresh and ready to be eaten as soon as each item is done. We like to keep fresh cut limes and fresh cilantro on hand for our Mexican favorites – just as we do in our restaurants! What are your favorite fiesta foods to serve each Cinco de Mayo? Share with us – and be sure to give us a call to help with all of your Cinco de Mayo fixin’s!

Countdown to Cinco Day 1: Set the Table

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and though we’ve laid out a few unique, non-traditional cocktail and party ideas for you to start, we’re counting down the days till the big fiesta with a guide to the perfect Cinco de Mayo celebration!

Today, we’re taking a look at an often forgotten, underestimated party feature: the table. Although the table seems like it’s the last thing you would think of as you plan your fiesta, your tablescape can provide beautiful inspiration for the rest of the party, from mood, to decor, to the menu. The table is the centerpiece of conversation; it’s the place where people gather around, sit, laugh, drink and make conversation. Cinco de Mayo is about coming together and celebrating freedom, and your tablescape can reflect that.

Mix up colors and patterns

Our first idea is a simple one: keep your fiesta colors bright, and don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit. We think beautiful, printed napkins paired with other bright linens is an easy, beautiful place to start your tablescape. We twisted it up a bit and layered over clean, white plates. Don’t underestimate the power of white plates! Simple touches such as pretty patterns and fun colors provide enough pop and look great contrasted with a clean, white plate.

Add some natural touches

Not everything needs to be glam, glam, glam – sometimes, the simple, natural touch of greenery or colorful plants sets a clean, welcoming foundation. We potted a few blooming, 4-inch cacti from the local nursery into a few cans we had around, and the colors worked out magically!

A pretty place for food

The best part of your tablescape is the food, right? It’s the part that everyone loves, so why not make it pretty? We chose simple platters that complimented the traditional theme of our fiesta, and let the food speak for itself in terms of color and flavor.

We’d love to hear your tablescape ideas, and we’d also love for you to be a part of our Cinco de Mayo celebration! Our #CincodeMacayo celebrations start May 1! Staying at home for the big day? Be sure to check out our catering options to make your party even more enjoyable!

Throwing a Cinco de Mayo Party? Don’t Forget the Games!

With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, many people find themselves planning to hold a huge fiesta with family and friends. If you’re thinking of throwing a Cinco de Mayo Phoenix fiesta this year, then you’re probably spending a lot of time focusing on the food and drinks you’ll be serving up. But what about providing your guests with some fun, Cinco do Mayo games and activities to celebrate the holiday? These three games are easy to set up, and range from kid-friendly to adults-only.

Chili Pepper Guessing Game

This one is probably best suited for adults — especially if you’re going to be serving up hot peppers that children aren’t likely to enjoy. Basically, the way this game works is that you set up a table with samples of a bunch of different peppers. None of the peppers will be labeled, and you can even blindfold players before they complete their tastings to make the game even harder.

With each tasting, players of the game will try to guess what specific type of pepper they’re eating. You can use anything from basic red and green peppers to more complex types such as jalepeño and chile peppers. If you want to really throw your guests for a loop, consider adding ghost peppers into the mix!

Bust Out the Piñata

What kind of Cinco de Mayo party is complete without busting open a piñata full of goodies? You can keep this simple and make it kid-friendly by filling up a piñata with candies, crayons, and other fun toys. However, if you’re hosting an adult party, then you might want to consider making it a little more fun by filling the piñata with some little liquor bottles.

This is an especially fun idea if you’ve set up a margarita bar at your party; your guests can use their liquor bottles from the piñata to spruce up their beverages!

The Limbo! (Kid-Friendly)

Finally, if you’re looking for an activity that’s a blast for adults and children alike, then consider doing the limbo! All you need for this game is a broom and maybe some fun music. Take turns having guests limbo underneath the broom as you lower it, making the game more challenging as you go. For children, you can make this a little easier by having them crawl under the limbo broom instead.

The game ends when only one player is left standing; the rest of the players are disqualified when they fail to limbo underneath the broom without touching it.

Holding a successful Cinco de Mayo party takes a lot of planning and foresight, especially when it comes to incorporating some fun game and activity ideas. However, by keeping these Cinco de Mayo fiesta ideas in mind as you plan for the big day, you’ll be sure to have plenty of fun activities for your guests to partake in without having to spend a lot of money in the process at the same time.

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and we’re celebrating big time over here at Macayo’s! Come on by to celebrate this holiday with us – we’d love to see you!

Beyond the Margarita: Best Tequila Cocktails to Try at Your Next Fiesta

Looking to plan a fiesta in the near future? If so, then whether it be a Cinco de Mayo party catered by Macayo’s or just a fiesta for the sake of having fun with friends, the fact remains that you’ll want to have some great tequila recipes on-hand for your guests. Of course, there’s a old faithful standby: the margarita. However, if you’re looking to shake (or stir) things up a little, then you might want to check out some other tequila-based cocktail recipes that are sure to please the more diverse taste buds in your crowd.

Veracruzana

If you’re looking for something a little more tropical than your traditional margarita, you’re going to love this fruity and refreshing cocktail. For the veracruzana, you’ll need:

two parts tequila reposado
one part agave nectar
one part fresh-squeezed lime juice
four chunks of fresh pineapple
two fresh basil leaves

Start by muddling the pineapple and basil leaves together in a shaker. Then, top off with the tequila, agave nectar, and lime juice along with ice. Shake thoroughly before straining the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple and a basil leaf, if desired.

Black Diamond

Looking to serve up something classy? This beautiful drink is light, fruity, and so pretty when poured into a martini glass. To create this cocktail, you’re going to need:

two ounces of tequila
half an ounce of agave nectar
half an ounce of fresh lime juice
black salt (for the rim, if desired)

The nice thing about this cocktail is that it’s super easy and quick to make. Simply rim the martini glass with the pretty black salt, then add the remaining ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into the glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Yum!

El Diablo

If you’re a fan of ginger ale, this tequila-based beverage is perfect for you. This drink not only looks pretty (especially when garnished with a lime or lemon wedge), but it’s also refreshing. All you need to create one of these cocktails is:

an ounce and half of tequila blanco
an ounce of fresh lime juice
half an ounce of ginger syrup
ginger ale
a lime wheel for garnish

Start by mixing the tequila blanco, the lime juice, and the ginger syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Then, strain into a cocktail glass. Add a splash of the ginger ale on top and garnish with a fresh lime or lemon wedge. Enjoy!

Tequila On-the-Rocks

Of course, for those who aren’t big fans of cocktails, something on-the-rocks may be a little more desirable. Therefore, you’ll want to be sure that you have some quality tequila on-hand that’s suitable for drinking on the rocks. Generally, tequila that’s been aged in oak barrels for at least a year are the best for drinking on the rocks, so you don’t want to use the same tequila you’re making your cocktails with for these beverages.

Mix things up at your next fiesta by giving some or all of these tequila recipes a try. Your guests will love them!

Creating Fun Decorations for Your Summer Fiestas

Regardless of whether you’re skilled when it comes to arts and crafts or not, the good news is that there are plenty of fun fiesta crafts you and your loved ones can partake in with great results. And you don’t need to necessarily go out and buy a bunch of expensive materials, either. Read on to explore a few fun fiesta ideas for creating banners and other decorations yourself.

Paper Fiesta Banner

These days, paper letter banners are very popular for celebrating all kinds of special occasions. You can make a fun banner that spells out the letters “F-I-E-S-T-A” and hang it as a centerpiece for your special event. The nice thing about this craft is that you can mix it up to incorporate the colors and designs you want, and it’s easy enough that just about anybody can do it!

Start with several pieces of paper in varying colors (green, white, and red are common for fiestas, as they’re the colors of the Mexican flag). On each piece of paper, trace or draw a letter from the word “fiesta.” Then, using a hole punch, cut two holes in the top corners of each piece of paper. Then, run a piece of string through each of the holes to create the banner and hang it from wherever you like!

Papel Picado Banners

If you’re looking for some fun banners that you can hang up all around your fiesta space, you can get really creative with some tissue paper or papel picado banners. The nice thing about these is that, like the paper banner described above, these are very easy to customize. Not to mention, you don’t need a whole lot of different materials to make these.

All you need are a bunch of different sheets of tissue paper (like the ones you buy to gift wrap a present). Then, fold up each sheet like you would an accordion. Then, using a hole punch, put several holes throughout the folded up tissue paper. Run string through each of the holes to create a fun decoration. If you string enough of these together, they can create a lovely banner.

Burlap Banners

Finally, there’s the option of using burlap to create a fun banner. You can buy a roll of burlap at your local craft store for just a few dollars. From there, simply cut out a piece of burlap that’s long enough to create your banner. Then, using paint, you can paint the word “fiesta,” along with some other fun symbols or shapes, onto the burlap. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes before hanging up in your desired location.

The possibilities for creating fiesta banners are truly endless, but these are just a few ideas to try out when it comes to decorating for your next fiesta. Need your fiesta complete with traditional Mexican cuisine but don’t want to do all the work after making these great decorations? Contact your nearest Macayo’s and try out our great party platters!

How to Make Macayo’s Delicious Original Margarita with 1800 Reposado Tequila

Video Transcription:
Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen has been an Arizona favorite since 1946. First founded in Phoenix Arizona by high school sweathearts Woody and Victoria Johnson. Woody and Victoria’s greatest commitment was to quality ingredients served with a friendly touch.

All Macayo’s locations are family owned and locally operated serving traditional handcrafted mexican food made fresh in our kitchens everyday. We make no compromise when it comes to our food or cocktails. Margaritas are our guests favorite and they know they can trust us as we have served over 20 million margaritas throughout the years.

We’ll be making a Margarita today with 1800 reposado tequila. A double distilled 100% Blue Agave Tequila grown on family owned ranches and bottled in Jalisco Mexico. And our margaritas will also be using Contreau, a premium orange liquor from a family operated estate in France for over 165 years.

Our original margarita has an ounce and a half 1800 reposed tequila, a half ounce of Contreau orange liquor, one and a quarter ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, and one ounce of agave nectar that we’ve cut with equal parts water. Fill your mixing glass with ice and shake the ingredients for 5 to 6 seconds. Salt the rim of your bob or chacha mug and strain the ingredients over ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

We hope you enjoyed our margarita recipe. Come grab one with us today. Cheers!

1800 Reposado Tequila is a time-tested tequila for making delicious, smooth margaritas. Specifically, it’s a reposado tequila that’s made from 100% blue agave, is double-distilled, and is aged for six months in an oak barrel. It is bottled in Jalisco, Mexico. The result is a smooth tequila that’s ideal for a refreshing, on-the-rocks margarita. So if you’re looking for a great new margarita recipe, it’s time to learn how to make our Original Margarita!

What Makes a Great Margarita?

Aside from quality tequila, such as 1800 Reposado, there are many different components that make up the perfect, original margarita. The key is using fresh ingredients, such as fresh-squeezed fruit juices, rather than bottled juices (which are often from concentrate).

Have you ever tried that pre-bottled margarita mix? If so, then you probably noticed that the taste of it was very sweet and syrupy. That’s because those mixes don’t include fresh ingredients; they have juices that are made from concentrate and the tequila used in these often isn’t of very high quality. If you want a margarita that truly tastes fresh, you simply need to use fresh ingredients whenever possible.>

Ingredients

Ready to create an original margarita? Here’s what you’ll need:

1.5 oz 1800 Reposado Tequila

.5 oz of Cointreau orange liqueur

1.25 oz fresh lime juice

1 oz agave nectar cut with equal parts water

2 fresh lime slices (for rim and garnish)

small bowl of kosher salt (for the rim of the glass)

Specifically, this recipe will make one margarita. If you’re entertaining, feel free to double or triple the ingredients to make multiple margaritas for your guests at once.

Putting it Together

Got all your ingredients ready? Perfect! Now it’s time to put it all together. Start by filling your cocktail shaker or mixing glass with fresh ice cubes.

Then, add the tequila, liqueur, and lime juice into the shaker and shake vigorously for 5-6 seconds. Rim your Bob or Cha Cha mug with a fresh lime and dip into kosher salt. Strain margarita mix over fresh ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

There’s nothing better than a simple 1800 margarita. The smoothness of the tequila, combined with the freshness of the ingredients, make for a delicious and smooth drink that is comparable to other margaritas. Be sure to serve these up at your next gathering and keep the recipe on hand because people will be asking for it left and right!

How to Set Up a Taco Bar

A taco bar is an enjoyable and relatively inexpensive way to feed a large group of people, making it ideal for parties, family gatherings, and even weddings! After all, who doesn’t love tacos? They’re totally customizable to suit anybody’s taste buds. Even vegetarians can enjoy a tofu taco loaded with peppers and onions. Read on to explore some tips and unique ideas on how to set up a taco bar.

Think Outside the Box

When most people think of tacos, they think ground beef, spicy and smoky seasonings, peppers, and salsa. However, a taco can be so much more than that, so get a little creative with the toppings you set out! In addition to ground beef, make sure you offer ground turkey (for those trying to eat a little healthier), carne asada, shredded chicken, or even shredded pork.

In terms of toppings, why not sweeten the deal by offering some pico de gallo, guacamole and tomatillo salsa?

Offer Different Shells

While you can probably get away with setting out some warm flour tortillas and hard shells, there are so many other options that your guests will appreciate. For example, make sure you offer both flour and corn tortillas, as some people have a preference one way or the other. Furthermore, for the health nuts in attendance, it’s also a good idea to set out some lettuce wraps and whole wheat tortillas.

Some people may prefer to eat their taco naked — without a shell, that is! If that’s the case, be sure to set out some bowls or consider setting out avocado, which can be filled with toppings as well.

Prep Ahead of Time

One of the things many people find out the hard way when it comes to setting up a taco bar for parties is that chopping up all those ingredients for toppings is very time consuming. As such, it’s a good idea to recruit some help from a few friends, if possible, to assist you in chopping duties before the party. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare the ingredients as well; after all, there will be a lot of them. You can keep them fresh by storing them in air-tight containers or zip-lock bags and placing them in your fridge until it’s time for the party to begin.

Setting up a taco bar can be a lot of fun, not only for you but for your guests as well. You can get so creative with a taco bar offering, and the possibilities are truly endless. Just be sure to keep these tips in mind as you prepare for your party; they’ll be sure to save you a great deal of time and ensure that your guests enjoy a flavorful meal at your event!

Don’t have time to set up your own ingredients? Try our Macayo’s Taco Platter! Our platter is complete with all the freshest taco ingredients you need for a delicious and convenient taco fiesta.

Fun and Easy Rice Recipes to Try

Rice makes for an excellent and filling side dish for just about any meal — but especially with Mexican foods like tacos, burritos, and nachos. And with so many different types of rice dishes, the possibilities are truly endless. You can pair a yummy rice recipe with just about any dish you could imagine, and by adding a meat component to your rice, you can even make it into a full meal.

Easy Spanish Rice

With just eight simple ingredients, you can have this yummy Spanish rice ready in about a half an hour. Specifically, you’re going to need:

3 large roma tomatoes
one and a half cups of chicken stock
one and a half cups of rice (long-grain preferred)
a tablespoon of butter
two teaspoons of chili powder
a teaspoon of oregano
a teaspoon of ground cumin

Start by combining all the ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan, bring to a boil, and then reduce to low. Cover the saucepan and let it sit for about 25 minutes, or until all the excess liquid has boiled off. For added taste, top with cheese and some chopped green onion.

Cilantro-Lime Rice

If you want a lighter, fresher taste with your rice, you can’t go wrong with cilantro lime. And with this recipe, all you need is six simple ingredients:

two cups of water
a tablespoon of butter
a cup of long-grain white rice
a teaspoon of fresh lime zest
two tablespoons of fresh lime juice
half a cup of fresh, finely chopped cilantro

Start by bringing two cups of water to a rolling boil. Then, add the butter and rice into the water, covering and simmering on low for about 25 minutes (or until excess liquid is boiled off and rice is nice and tender).

Once the rice is done, stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy! Depending on how strong of a cilantro taste you want, you can always adjust the recipe to use more or less cilantro as well. Love cilantro lime rice? Come on by the Macayo’s location in Scottsdale to try our fresh family recipe!

Best Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Serve Up at Your Cinco de Mayo Party

When most people think of Cinco de Mayo beverages, margaritas tend to come to mind. However, there are so many other beverages that are great for celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the desert, and they don’t have to have alcohol as an ingredient. These three simple beverage recipes are perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebration — especially if you’ll be hosting a party with kids!

Virgin Margaritas

Margaritas can be just as delicious (or perhaps even more so) when they’re not mixed with tequila. With a virgin margarita, you can enjoy the full flavor of a margarita without the buzz of alcohol, which can sometimes help you to taste more of the fruit and other fresh ingredients.

To create a delicious virgin margarita, you’ll need:

a can of frozen limeade
a cup of orange juice
two-thirds of a cup of grapefruit juice
lemon and lime slices (for garnish)
bar salt (for the rim of your glass)

Salt the rim of your margarita glass, then toss all of the ingredients (aside from the lemon/lime wedges for garnish) into a blender, along with ice. Blend until thoroughly mixed together, then pour into a margarita glass and garnish with a lime or lemon wedge. Yum!

Frozen Horchata

Want to deviate from the “norm” a bit? If so, you might want to try a frozen horchata, which is both refreshing and a little spicy (for those who like cinnamon)! Perhaps the best part about this recipe is that it only requires three ingredients:

a cup of vanilla rice milk
a cup of vanilla ice cream
a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon (or more, to taste)

Toss all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth, about thirty seconds in most cases. Then, pour into a glass and garnish with a tiny bit more cinnamon. Enjoy!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Agua fresca is a very popular drink in Mexico. Why not make it even more delicious and refreshing by adding just a hint of watermelon flavor? To create a glass of watermelon agua fresca, you’re going to need:

four cups of finely chopped watermelon (without seeds)
the juice of one lime
a tablespoon of confectioner’s sugar
orange slices (for garnish)
fresh mint sprigs (also for garnish)

Start by tossing the watermelon into a blender. Puree it, then add the lime juice, sugar, and some ice. Blend until the mixture is nice and smooth. Then, pour the mixture into a glass and garnish with a fresh orange wedge and a sprig of fresh mint. Your guests will be sure to love this super refreshing and flavorful concoction; they won’t even miss the alcohol!

As you can see, there are all kinds of non-alcoholic Cinco de Mayo drinks that you can serve up for your big fiesta. Whether it be a virgin margarita that’s full of flavor, a frozen and spicy horchata, or even a tall glass of watermelon agua fresca, your party guests are sure to enjoy these beverages. If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little more, be sure to stop by Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen as we celebrate Cinco throughout April!