6 Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipes from George Clooney and Rande Gerber
As the year turned, George Clooney and Rande Gerber gamely gave us last-minute party tips for an elegant yet rocking New Year’s Eve bash. With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, we went back to the duo, who founded tequila brand Casamigos with their friend Michael Meldman, for guidance on how to host a festive and fun fiesta.
“We meet at Café Habana Malibu and eat and drink Casamigos margaritas,” Clooney and Gerber said of their plans with radiant wives Amal Clooney and Cindy Crawford. Though the fab foursome is partial to Malibu (and Cabo San Lucas), Clooney and Gerber insist a good time can be had anywhere with certain essentials: “music, bottles of Casamigos, and plenty of nachos.”
Here, for tequila fans, the pair offers five unexpected variations on the margarita and one additional signature cocktail. But to truly party it up like the dynamic duo of spirits, heed their simple rule. “Every so often we do a shot and very loudly yell ‘Salud!’”
Photo: Courtesy of Casamigos1/6ORANGE CINNAMON MARGARITA
1 1/2 parts Casamigos Reposado Tequila
1 part fresh orange juice
3/4 part fresh lime juice
1/2 part simple syrup
Cinnamon sugar
Ice cubes
Combine all ingredients with ice. Shake and pour into a rocks glass, or blend all ingredients and serve frozen in a cinnamon sugar–rimmed glass.
Photo: Courtesy of Casamigos2/6JAMAICAN MARGARITA
1 1/2 parts Casamigos Blanco Tequila
3/4 part fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 part fresh lime juice
1/2 part simple syrup
7 to 10 drops Jamaican Jerk bitters
Ice cubes
Combine all ingredients with ice. Shake and serve either up or over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with grapefruit twist or lime wedge.
Photo: Courtesy of Casamigos3/6STRAWBERRY BASIL MARGARITA
1 1/2 parts Casamigos Reposado Tequila
3 to 4 strawberries
2 to 3 sweet basil leaves
3/4 part fresh lime juice
1/2 part simple syrup
Balsamic vinegar
Ice cubes
Combine all ingredients with ice. Shake, strain, and serve over ice in a rocks glass. Top with club soda, garnish with basil sprig and dash of balsamic.
Photo: Courtesy of Casamigos4/6WATERMELON MARGARITA
1 1/2 parts Casamigos Blanco Tequila
1 part fresh lime juice
1/2 part orange liqueur
6 to 8 chunks of watermelon
1/4 part agave nectar
Ice cubes
Muddle watermelon, add rest of ingredients with ice, shake, and pour into a rocks glass. Garnish with slice of watermelon.
Photo: Courtesy of Casamigos5/6APRICOT MARGARITA
1 1/2 parts Casamigos Reposado Tequila
1 part fresh apricot puree
1/4 part fresh lemon juice
8 to 10 mint leaves
Ice cubes
Combine mint and lemon juice and muddle lightly. Add all other ingredients with ice, shake, and strain over ice in rocks glass. Garnish with mint leaves.
