Say “salud” as you clink your cocktails to Mexican American liberty this May 5.
Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
But it’s a holiday celebrated more by U.S. Latinos than by Mexicans, because for Latinos in California, the victory at Puebla represented “a shared, broadly American struggle for democracy and liberty — one that could even help raise morale in the Union fight against the Confederacy,” notes scholar David Hayes-Bautista in The Washington Post. “If a downtrodden Mexico could defeat an imperial army, then there was hope for the Union to throw off the tyrannical rule of slavery in the South.”
So, let’s celebrate with some of these well-crafted cocktails at the many delicious, lively Mexican or Mexican-influenced eateries and bars we have in Westchester.
bartaco
1 Willet Ave, Port Chester; 914.937.8226
Open from 11 a.m. to midnight daily, bartaco is a must for Cinco de Mayo. On the cocktails front, the Port Chester eatery serves a watermelon mint margarita that tastes like summer in a glass. Not in the mood for margs? Try the pineapple pisco punch, which pairs pineapple-infused pisco with lime and grapefruit-infused simple syrup for a delightfully refreshing drink.
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La Casa Bronxville
7 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville; 914.222.9016
578 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase
While there are many options in White Plains and other central-county spots, let’s take you about 25 miles south of Croton-on-Hudson to La Casa Bronxville, which houses bartenders who create artisanal cocktails to accompany the elevated Mexican cuisine. (La Casa has another location in Purchase as well if you’d prefer to celebrate this weekend; closed Mondays.) This spot won a Best of Westchester Award for Best Margarita in 2024, so you know it’s onto something here. As for what to order, the frozen mango margarita with tajin salt will help cool your taste buds during a flavor-filled meal.
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Tipsy Taco Bar
487 E Main St, Mt. Kisco; 914.218.4360
56 Garth Rd, Scarsdale; 914.574.6242
Two Tipsy Taco Bar locations means double the fun for Cinco de Mayo. A plethora of margaritas fill the menu here, so you can’t go wrong whether you opt for the tamarind marg with Sauza tequila or the blood orange version with organic blood orange juice. Aside from margaritas, Tipsy also dishes up libations like the Tipsy Sunrise, a Don Julio tequila-based drink with orange juice, grenadine, and a tajin rim.
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Vega Mexican Cuisine
189 E Hartsdale Ave, Hartsdale; 914.723.0010
Vega does a happy hour from Monday to Friday from 4-7 p.m., which means it may very well be the perfect place to kick off Cinco de Mayo festivities with a cocktail in hand. Expect deals on draft and bottle beer and house wine, but keep an eye out for the house margaritas for $9 apiece. An additional $2 will get you a flavored version, while $5 will get you a floater. Vega also pours sangria for $9 a glass if that’s more to your liking.
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Yuka’s Latin Fusion
2011 Albany Post Rd, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.862.4449
West of Mount Kisco near the Hudson, Yuka’s in Croton-on-Hudson has some cocktail talent worth trying, especially around Cinco de Mayo. On Monday, classic margaritas are $8 a pop, so don’t skip out on the deal. If you’re looking for something with a bit more zip, opt for one of Yuka’s signature margaritas, all of which are made with 100% agave tequila, fresh lime, and organic agave nectar. The Spicy Avocado with ripe avocado and jalapenos seems like a no-brainer alongside an order of tacos.
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