macayode_admin, Author at Macayo's Mexican Food

Mint Drinks with a Mexican Twist

Quick, think of a few of your favorite minty drinks. Probably, drinks like the mojito and the mint julep come to mind, right? And while there’s admittedly nothing wrong with these minty drinks on their own, we like to mix things up a bit and come up with new twists on traditional recipes. That being said, we’ve come up with a few unique Mexican drinks that are inspired by your favorite minty drinks. And the best part is that two of these drinks (the Macayo Mule and the Mule-Jito) can now be found here at Macayo’s thanks to our brand new drink menu!

The Mint Julep Margarita

The mint julep is a staple of Louisville, especially during the Kentucky Derby. But what about those years when the Kentucky Derby (traditionally held in May) actually falls on Cinco De Mayo? We say make the best of both worlds with a fusion of the mint julep and the Mexican margarita! This delicious recipe incorporates:

two teaspoons of superfine/confectioner’s sugar
ten fresh mint leaves
two ounces of bourbon
one ounce of orange liqueur
a quarter cup of seltzer water
two lime wedges (optional garnish)

The combination of the minty ingredients with the sweet and sour flavors of the margarita may seem a bit odd at first, but trust us: give this drink a try for yourself and you’ll be wishing every day was Derby Day on Cinco de Mayo.

The Macayo Mule

Okay, so you can’t exactly order the mint julep margarita at Macayo’s (sorry about that), but this one you can because it’s on our new drink menu! The Macayo Mule is a unique combination of the Moscow Mule and a margarita, giving you the strong flavors of ginger beer and the citrus taste of lime Patrón in one amazing cocktail. When you order a Macayo Mule, you’ll be receiving a mix of:

Casamigos blanco tequila
Patrón Citrónge Lime
ginger beer
mint

And to top it all off, this creative drink is served up in a copper mug. Stop by today and give this curious combination a try for yourself!

The Mule-Jito

Ah, the traditional mojito…known for its minty and refreshingly fizzy taste. But what happens when you combine the traditional ingredients of a mojito with less expected ingredients, such as Sauza Blue Reposado, Licor 43, coconut juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice? When you try the Mule-Jito, you’ll find out for yourself! But trust us…it’s pretty amazing and something your taste buds have never experienced before.

The Mule-Jito and the Macayo Mule are just a couple of examples of the new drinks we’re serving up on our new menu. There are plenty more where that comes from, so we recommend getting out to Macayo’s for yourself to give these and our other new drink specials a try. And as always when you visit Macayo’s, enjoy kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying some delicious gourmet Mexican food with great company and service while you’re here. We look forward to seeing you here soon!

Margarita Cupcakes to Make Your Mouth Water

Got a craving for something sweet, but don’t want something boring and traditional like chocolate chip cookies or vanilla ice cream? If so, and if you enjoy the food of Mexico and the flavor of margaritas, then why not combine that flavor with the sweetness of a cupcake? That’s right, we’ve put together a margarita-flavored cupcake recipe with optional lime icing, and we’re ready to share it with you! The best part? It’s super easy to make and doesn’t take much longer than making traditional cupcakes.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a comprehensive list of everything you’re going to need to create 24 of these delicious cupcakes:

a box of white cake mix
one can of thawed margarita mix
three egg whites
two tablespoons vegetable oil
one tablespoon of lime zest, grated

And of course, you’ll want at least one (but preferably two) cupcake trays so you can get these whipped up in no time.

Making the Cupcakes

Start by combining the white cake mix, margarita mix, egg whites, and vegetable oil in a large bowl. You can mix it up by hand with a whisk or utilize an electric mixer to make your life easier. Then, add in the lime zest gradually until well combined. Pour the mixture into lined cupcake trays so that they’re about two-thirds of the way full, then pop into the oven and bake according to the cake mix package instructions. Let cool and then enjoy on their own, or continue on to the next step to create a delicious lime icing to go with your margarita cupcakes.

Optional Lime Icing

What better way to top your margarita-flavored cupcakes than with an oozing of lime icing? Never made your own icing before? Don’t be intimidated; it’s a lot easier than you might think. All you need is:

eight tablespoons (unsalted) butter
an eight-ounce package of cream cheese
two tablespoons of key lime juice
one teaspoon lime or lemon zest, grated
four cups of confectioner’s/superfine sugar

Begin by mixing, in a large bowl, the butter, cream cheese, lime juice, and lime zest until it’s nice a smooth. Then, gradually add the cups of confectioner’s sugar until the mixture is nice and fluffy. We recommend adding just one cup of it at a time; otherwise, you might end up with a big cloud of confectioner’s sugar in the air. If the icing mixture doesn’t seem thick enough for your liking after adding the four cups, it won’t hurt to add another cup or two to achieve your desired consistency.

Once the icing is done, use a piping bag to frost your cupcakes, or do it the old-fashioned way with a spatula. For a fun touch, sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles.

There you have it: an inspired look at the food of Mexico that is a fun and simple recipe for margarita-flavored cupcakes that your family and friends will love. Serve them up at your next gathering or enjoy them all on your own (we won’t judge). And the next time you’re in the mood for the real deal, stop by Macayo’s for a real traditional or strawberry margarita. See you there!

Eye-Catching Summer Tablescapes

Generally, Mexican celebrations are known for their bright colors and delicious foods. So if you’re planning on throwing a fiesta gathering this summer, you’ll want to not only serve up some delicious Mexican-style food, but you’ll want to make sure that your tablescape matches the theme as well. Transform your existing dining room or patio table into something your guests will be talking about for weeks to come with these fun tablescape and table setting ideas.

Incorporate Vibrant Floral Arrangements

Summer is the perfect time to pick up some beautiful, bright flowers and display them at your dinner table. Specifically, pick up floral bouquets that are vibrant in color, ranging from shades of red and orange to yellows and purples, which will give you table a festive look. To make things even more interesting, consider putting the flowers not in traditional vases, but in empty jars of salsa, Mexican soda, or canned beans.

Try a DIY Sombrero Serving Dish

Another fun idea for your summer fiesta tablescape that you can do on yor own without a whole lot of time or effort is that of creating a serving tray using a sombrero, which you can get from your local party store for cheap. We recommend the wicker sombreros, which are inexpensive, durable, and often come in festive colors. You can line the rim of the sombrero with colorful napkins, and then fill the area with tortilla chips. On the side, serve your favorite homemade salsa or dip to go with it!

Use Various Colored Napkins and Place Mats

When it comes time to set the tables, make things fun by using not just plain-colored napkins and placemats, but ones that vary in color and preferably match or complement the colors of your floral arrangements. You can use throw-away napkins and placemats here or, if you have reusable ones, feel free to bust those out as well. It all depends on what suits your overall theme and budget.

Set Tables in a Way That Encourages Sharing

Finally, be mindful of how you set your tables; traditionally, family-style seating is found in authentic Mexican food restaurants, and this style of seating allows everybody to easily converse and share food as desired. If you only have round tables to work with, that’s fine, but ideally you will want to have long, rectangular tables where shareable foods such as chips, salsas, and other appetizers are never more than an arm’s reach away. Also, when setting up your floral arrangements at the table, make sure they’re not too tall to the point that people sitting across from each other are unable to see each other’s faces and hold a conversation!

As you can see, there are so many fun ways to set up your fiesta tablescape in a way that’s festive and unique while incorporating some DIY touches in the process. And while we’re on the subject of Mexican food and fiestas, we’d like to announce that Macayo’s has a brand new drink menu that we’d love to have you stop by and try out for yourself!

Beautiful Margarita Jello Shots

Jello shots are a staple at many social gatherings; after all, what makes drinking alcohol more fun than enjoying it in the form of a favorite childhood treat? But if you’re really looking to impress your guests at your next gathering, why not take things to the next level by creating some fun margarita jello shots that are not only delicious, but are pretty to look at as well?

Traditional Margarita Jello Shots

Give your traditional jello shots the sweet and sour flavor of a margarita with this fun and surprisingly simple recipe. Here’s what you’ll need to yield about 32 shots:

one large box of jello mix
about a cut of cold water
two cups of boiling water
a squeeze of fresh lime juice
a quarter cup of Triple Sec
3/4 cup of your favorite tequila

Start by making the jello, which involves combining the pre-packed mix with the boiling water. Once mixed well, slowly incorporate the remainder of the ingredients before pouring into small cups or plastic shot cups. Pop them into the refrigerator for at least five hours, or until jello is firm and completely set. Bring out of the fridge and serve once your guests arrive!

Margarita Jello Shots With a Twist

What if you want to have a little more fun with the presentation of your margarita-flavored jello shots? We’ve got you covered! Take things to the next level by serving your guests lime-shaped margarita jello shots in real lime peels! Here’s all you need to make about 30 shots worth of these:

15 fresh limes
a half cup of your favorite tequila
a half cup orange liqueur
one cup boiling water
one packet of jello mix
a mini muffin tin
kosher salt (optional garnish)

Once again, start by making the jello by combining the packet with a cup of boiling water. Then, in a bowl, mix the jello with the orange liqueur and tequila. Next, slice the limes in half lengthwise, scooping out the insides so you’re just left with the skin of the lime wedges. Then, place the skins into a mini muffin tin to hold them in place before pouring the jello mixture into each wedge. Refrigerate for a few hours until the jello is firm, then serve them up!

Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots

Another fun take on margarita shots is to serve them up in cored strawberries instead of cups or lime peels. You can use the same jello shot recipe as above. The only thing you’ll need to do differently that you’ll need as many strawberries as shots. Carefully using a sharp knife, cut off the top of the strawberry along with a small portion of the bottom (which will allow it to stand upright). Then, use a melon baller to scoop out the insides of the strawberry before pouring jello mixture into each one. Refrigerate for several hours, then wow your guests by serving them up.

These fun margarita jello shots make a great addition to your next party. In the mood for a full-fledged margarita? Macayo’s has you covered; from traditional margaritas and gourmet Mexican food to specialty margaritas (such as our cucumber cilantro margarita), stop in today to sample our new drink menu!

Refreshing Mexican Chopped Salad

When you’re in the mood for the bold flavors of a signature Mexican dish but want something that’s a little bit on the lighter side as well, you can’t go wrong with a refreshing Mexican chopped salad. With crisp lettuce and fresh ingredients, you can create a salad that’s out-of-this-world as a meal, on its own or served up as a side with common Mexican food. Plus, you can feel a little less guilty enjoying this healthy dish than you would a heaping serving of rice and refried beans.

For the Dressing

For this chopped salad recipe, we encourage you to make your own from-scratch dressing, though you can always save yourself some time and hassle by using your favorite store-bought dressing as well. This particular dressing is a delicious lime vinaigrette. Here’s what you need:

two tablespoons of honey
a quarter cup of fresh lime juice
a half teaspoon of cumin
a half teaspoon of salt
a clove of minced garlic
two tablespoons of olive oil
two tablespoons canola oil
salt and pepper to taste

Create this simple yet flavorful dressing by combining all ingredients except the oils into a small bowl. Once those ingredients are well mixed, gradually stir in the oils, using a whisk to combine everything well. Taste-test and add more salt and pepper as needed!

For the Salad

Okay, now it’s time for the fun part: making the salad! You’ll need lots of fresh ingredients for this salad, so we recommend stopping at your local market the day you plan on making this for the best results. Here’s everything you need to make a large enough serving for several people:

a head of Romaine lettuce, chopped
a medium bell pepper of your choosing, chopped
half of a diced red onion (more or less to taste)
one diced zucchini
four medium tomatoes, diced and seeded
black beans, drained and rinsed to your liking
four ears of cooked corn, chopped into small pieces
fresh chopped cilantro to taste

Make sure all of your ingredients are chopped up as finely as you’d like them, then combine them in a large bowl (we recommend using a salad spinner). Add dressing to your liking or allow your guests to add their own as desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container; without dressing, the salad should keep for a few days!

Delicious Variations

There are all kinds of fun variations to this chopped Mexican salad recipe that you may also want to consider. For example, if you’re looking for a little more of a crunch in your salad, consider making your own tortilla strips to add. You can do this by cutting flour tortillas into small strips, brushing them with olive oil, drizzling them with salt, and popping them in the oven at 350 degrees until brown and crispy!

This Mexican chopped salad recipe is great for your summer gatherings. Light, refreshing, and fresh, it’s an easy salad to make that people will think you spent hours on. Plus, this recipe makes a large enough batch so that you might even have some leftovers to save for yourself!

5 Fun & Easy Back to School Recipes

Can you believe it? Back-to-school time is almost here. You know what that means…back to busy mornings, rushing to pack lunches for the kids, and trying to find the time to serve up delicious and nutritious dinners after long days. Fortunately, if quick, easy, and kid-approved Mexican food recipes are what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place!

Breakfast Tortillas

Start the day off right with a delicious, easy, and Mexican-inspired breakfast idea that your kids will love (and may even be able to help you with). Start by whipping up a batch of scrambled eggs and feel free to add any ingredients your kids love (such as ham, veggies, or cheese). Then, take a fajita-sized flour tortilla, brush with olive oil, and set on a skillet at medium-high heat. Pile the scrambled eggs onto one side of the tortilla, then fold the tortilla over and flip it until brown and slightly crispy on both sides.

Simple Quesadillas

Kids love quesadillas because they’re fun to make and they’re easy to customize, so you can whip up different types of quesadillas for each of your kids to suit their tastes. To make a quesadilla, start by placing a lightly oiled or buttered flour tortilla onto a skillet at medium-high heat. Then, sprinkle on one side some of your child’s favorite cheese. Add chopped up (and already cooked) meats (this is a great opportunity to use leftover taco meat or chicken from the previous night’s dinner) and fold the tortilla over the filling, flipping it until browned on each side.

Chop up into kid-friendly pieces and serve with salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole!

Fun Mexican Spirals

Looking for something that’s lunch-box friendly? We’ve got you covered with these fun Mexican spirals. Here’s what you need to make a batch of these that’s big enough to serve a few kids for lunch:

eight ounces cream cheese
a cup of diced, cooked chicken
a quarter pound shredded Mexican cheese
a teaspoon of dried coriander
flour tortillas
olive oil

In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, chicken, cheese, and spice to create the filling for the tortillas. Spread a small amount of the mixture onto each tortilla before rolling them up and cutting them into small slices. Brown in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes and serve with sour cream and salsa (or serve cold in your child’s lunch box).

Miniature Tacos

Like regular tacos, only better. For this Mexican food recipe, use small corn tortillas instead of larger flour tortillas. Fill each tortilla as you would a regular taco with your child’s favorite meats, veggies, and cheeses, but roll up into a thin wrap. Stick a tooth pick through each tortilla and fry in vegetable oil for a few minutes, or until each mini taco is nice and crispy. Serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and any other dips your child may like. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner!

Zucchini-Corn Boats

Finally, when you want to serve up a healthy after-school snack that’s fun and that your kids will love, try these super cute zucchini-corn boats. These are so easy; all you have to do is cut a zucchini lengthwise, place in the oven to soften, and use a spoon to scoop out the insides Then, you can fill the boats with your child’s favorite sauteed vegetables and cheeses, such as onion, pepper, Mexican cheese, and the like. Each child can have his or her own boat to make this extra fun!

Bloody Mary Margaritas for Mexican Brunches at Home

Bloody Mary’s are a popular breakfast-time staple, though we all know it doesn’t have to be breakfast-time to enjoy the savory taste of this yummy beverage. But what if you’re looking for a creative spin on your traditional Bloody Mary…maybe something that goes a little better with some popular Mexican foods and dishes? Well, we’ve got you covered with this wonderful Bloody Mary margarita recipe that’ll be a hit at your next gathering.

Bloody Mary Margarita Recipe

With this Bloody Mary Margarita recipe, you can enjoy the taste of a traditional Bloody Mary, but with the added acidity, flavor, and fun of a margarita! These make for a great addition to your next Mexican food night, or just to enjoy on its own. Start by gathering the following ingredients to create this unique and bold-flavored Bloody Mary margarita (keep in mind that these ingredients will make four servings):

a quart mild salsa (blended)
three quarts hot salsa
two table spoons Worcestershire sauce
a tablespoon black pepper
a cup olive juice
two teaspoons Tabasco sauce
two jalapeños blended

We also recommend whipping up a delicious spiced salt that you can use to garnish the rims of your glasses, which requires:

a teaspoon of ground celery seeds
a tablespoon of chile powder
two tablespoons of pepper
two tablespoons of salt

Start by making the rim garnish, which is as simple as mixing the celery seeds, child powder, salt, and pepper into a small bowl. Then, use the lime wedge to wet the rim of each glass before dipping them in the spice mixture to garnish the glasses.

Now, it’s time to make the Bloody Mary margarita! It’s as easy as combining all of the remaining ingredients (except the jalepeños) into a blender and mixing until smooth. Pour the mix into rocks the garnished glasses and top them off with pickled jalepeños. Be prepared for a burst of flavor with your first sip of this amazing cocktail!

Other Variations on the Bloody Mary Margarita

There are other variations of this fun cocktail that you may also want to try out. For example, if you enjoy the look of a Bloody Mary but aren’t such a fan of the spiciness and savory taste, consider serving up a “Bloody Margarita,” which looks similar to a Bloody Mary but tastes like a fruity and sweet margarita. For this recipe, simply combine an ounce of a half of tequila, an ounce of orange juice, half an ounce of freshly squeeze lime juice, a quarter ounce of orange liqueur, and a dash of grenadine into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass.

Possible Food Pairings

The great thing about Bloody Mary margaritas is that they go well with anything you’d typically eat a regular Bloody Mary with, but they also go well with Mexican foods such as authentic tacos, chorizo, and just about anything else you’d enjoy on Mexican food night. Now, we know you’re ready to give this recipe a taste for yourself!

The History of Chorizo

In simple terms, chorizo refers to a spicy pork sausage that’s sealed in a casing made of animal intestines. There are many different types of chorizo, but perhaps two of the most popular are Spanish and Mexican chorizo. For the purposes of this post, we’ll focus on Mexican chorizo, its primary characteristics, and the various types of dishes in which it’s often used.

The History of Mexican Chorizo

It’s believed that chorizo as a whole has been around since Roman times, but Mexican chorizo was adopted a little later on, when it was adopted by Mexico from Spain. Today, it is very popular throughout Mexico and even some areas across the United States.

Characteristics of Mexican Chorizo

So, what makes Mexican chorizo different from other types of chorizo? For starters, it typically contains a liberally seasoned fatty sausage that’s ground or minced finely, rather than chopped, before put into the casing. It should be noted, however, that Mexican chorizo can be made from a number of different meats, including venison, chicken, and even turkey. Furthermore, the seasonings used in a Mexican chorizo are often more robust and spicy. This is typically what gives Mexican chorizo a dark or bright red color in appearance, as opposed to a more subdued brown color in Spanish and other types of chorizo. In some parts of Mexico, it is even possible to find “green chorizo,” which has a green color due to the heavy use of cilantro in its making.

Another major difference between Mexican and Spanish chorizo is that the Mexican version typically comes uncooked and raw, whereas Spanish chorizo is typically sold ready-to-eat.

Dishes Using Mexican Chorizo

There are all kinds of dishes that incorporate Mexican chorizo, ranging from Mexican breakfast foods to appetizers, dinners, side dishes, and everything in between. For starters, you can easily make chorizo tacos by simply removing the meat from the casing and crumbling/browning it in a skillet over medium heat. However, it is also quite common to use chorizo in Mexican soups, as the meat can add a wonderful amount of flavor and spice to a soup base without the need to chop up lots of additional ingredients or add many spices.

For those looking for Mexican breakfast dishes that incorporate chorizo, there is always the very popular egg dish known as Eggs a la Paloma. This dish incorporates eggs scrambled with tomato sauce; chorizo is added for spice and heartiness. The entire dish is topped off with a melted pile of cheese on top for a delicious and unique taste.

The possibilities for utilizing Mexican chorizo are pretty much endless, but the above ideas are just a few popular uses for this delicious and flavorful meat option that is absolutely unique to Mexico.

As you can see, chorizo has a pretty rich history not just in Mexico, but across the globe as well. If you haven’t ever tried Mexican or Spanish chorizo for yourself, you owe it to yourself to give it a try the next time you see it at the grocery store.

Favorites from Our New Macayo’s Drink Menu!

We’re rolling out a new drink menu available for you to try today! Ranging from the classic margarita to handcrafted cocktails, we have new choices that are sure to please everyone in your party. We’ve hand-picked a few of our favorites, but make sure to check our menu for the rest of the new drinks, and stop by your nearest Macayo’s location to try them yourself!

Simply Perfect Margarita

A delicious classic that is sure to be a crowd favorite, the Simply Perfect Margarita is just that, simply perfect for a warm night on the patio.

Skinny Strawberry Margarita

The Skinny Strawberry Margarita is one of our favorites because of it’s simplistic ingredients yet powerfully delicious and refreshing taste.

Arizona Sunset Margarita

Of course we love the Arizona Sunset. How could we not? With it’s beautiful color reminiscent of our AZ sunsets, the smooth and refreshing taste pairs perfectly with great food, good company, and a beautiful sunset.

Mule-Jito

Mint, Coconut Water, Ginger Beer, Lime, and delicious Sauza Blue Reposado makes this the perfect drink to cool off with after a long day. Add in some chips and salsa and you’ll never want to leave!

Remember to check our new menu for more drinks that will become your new favorite in no time!

Colorful Wedding Fiesta Ideas

It’s wedding season! In the spirit of this festive time, we’ve gathered a few fun ideas for your unique, fun Mexican fiesta themed wedding reception. We’ve shared a few ideas for a summer fiesta before, but we think these are just perfect for that “perfect day.” Take a look below:

Maracas at Every Table/Seat

This can be a bit noisy, but this is a fun little gift for wedding attendees. Provide your guests with their own maracas, which they can shake as you and your spouse are pronounced married and again as you walk down the aisle together. The nice thing about using maracas is that they not only fit the theme, but they can be taken over to the reception as well.

Festive Flower Arrangements

No fiesta-themed wedding is complete without some festive and bright flower arrangements. Fun, festive, succulent floral arrangements for your bouquet, your bridal party’s bouquets, and even your centerpieces are gorgeous, simple and natural – be sure to look for succulents that are blooming! If you want to have even more fun with your floral arrangements, consider finding someone to make you some bright, creative paper floral bouquets in all colors.

Inspired Food and Drinks

One of the best parts about throwing a fiesta-themed wedding is all the fun you can have when it comes to your food and drink menus. Get creative by setting up a taco or fajita bar, complete with all different kinds of meats, vegetables, and toppings. Have traditional, delicious Mexican cuisine catered. Have tons of fun with an open margarita bar, where guests can assemble their own fun cocktails. You can even include little framed recipe cards around the bar to give your guests fun margarita ideas!

A Piñata (Because Why Not?)

What Mexican fiesta is complete without a piñata? This is a wonderful idea, especially if you are going to have young children at your reception that you want to make sure are entertained. You can fill the piñata with all kinds of fun candies, but the best part is piñatas also serve as decor items that are unique, festive and bright.

As you can see, the ideas for throwing a fiesta-inspired wedding are endless. With enough creativity and imagination, you can be sure to host a wedding and reception that your guests are going to love! For all your Mexican cuisine catering or party platter needs, be sure to contact Macayo’s!