How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: Mix the Most Delicious & Healthy - Margaritas!

Rosa Picante Margarita - Patrón - from Art of the Garnish

Before taking that first sip or bite, sink your teeth into the history of Cinco de Mayo.

You’ll be the champion and star of the annual homage to Mexico and it’s celebrated food and drink.

Know this: Cinco de Mayo originated in the Mexican state of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. The win in Puebla represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement eventually leading to France withdrawing from Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo has evolved from a salute to brave warriors, to an ever-elevated salute to the extraordinary Mexican cuisine and its distilled beverages -- especially the country’s incomparable signature tequilas, mezcal, and chile liqueurs.

Tequila 



Say margarita and the brand Patrón Tequila is the name that most readily comes to mind for discerning drinkers. For good reason. Patrón is the global leader in the 100 percent Weber Blue agave ultra-premium tequila category, crafting a crisp, flavorful spirit, marked by hints of floral notes yet is still made in small batches in the Highlands in Jalisco, Mexico.

Patrón graciously provided the recipe for the delicious Rosa Picante Margarita for my book, Art of the Garnish. I adore the rose petal garnish and a slice of jalapeno pepper! This is what I will be shaking up later to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Here’s another recipe from Art of the Garnish. Can’t get to Las Cabos? Here’s the next best thing. (well, kinda’) The Hilton services this welcome drink at their Azul Bar.



Here’ a few other drinks that you’ll love sipping for Cinco de Mayo.


Photo courtesy of Patrón Tequila

Coralina Margarita
Created by Riesler Morales of Mexico City, Mexico

Ingredients: 

• 1.75 oz Patrón Reposado
• .75 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange 
• .75 oz Simple syrup 
• 1 oz Fresh lime juice 
• .5 oz Red Wine (Mexican, or other) 
• + Sugar-salt rim* 

Garnish: *Sugar-salt rim:

Pulverize .25 cup dried hibiscus in a spice grinder. Add .25 cup sugar and .25 cup kosher salt and pulse until combined.

Method:
1. Combine Patrón Reposado, Patrón Citrónge Orange, simple syrup and lime juice in a shaker tin; add ice and shake vigorously.

2. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe rimmed with sugar-salt rim.*

3. Carefully float red wine on the surface of the cocktail and garnish with a lime wheel.

Mezcal
Mezcal has become increasingly popular in the U.S. and is one of the fastest growing spirits over the past several years.

Choosing the right mezcal for you may be tricky, but if you’re looking for an authentic Mexican spirit with an approachable and complex taste, look no further than Montelobos Mezcal. Made in Mexico, Montelobos Mezcal is a mezcal created in collaboration by world-renowned agave spirits expert Iván Saldaña and five generations of Lopez family mezcaleros using the finest, 100% organic agave espadin. The result is a mezcal with a balanced smoke that shifts between chili and dark chocolate. While Montelobos can be enjoyed neat, its complexity makes it an excellent cocktail companion.

A Montelobos Mezcal Ambassador, Camille Austin’s knowledge and enthusiasm for innovative cocktails play a complementary role to brand creator Iván Saldaña. Together, they set out to share the unique taste and versatility of Montelobos Mezcal and the artistry behind agave.

The below flavorful and festive cocktail recipes include Montelobos Mezcal and another authentic Mexican spirit, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, and are the perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Ancho Reyes was born from the sacred earth of Puebla and with a recipe dating back to 1927, Ancho Reyes is the original chile liqueur. Ancho Reyes Verde, launched just in 2016 to much acclaim, also derives from the poblano chile like Original, but some slight tweaks in the production process results in a wildly different flavor profile.

Puebla and poblano are inextricably linked - the peppers are named after the citizens who refer to themselves as poblanos. “Ancho chiles are widely considered a culinary delicacy and Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur is created using Puebla’s signature crop,” reports Camille Austin, the celebrated Mexican mixologist. He continues, “Pleasantly sweet, followed by the moderate heat from the chile, Ancho Reyes is delicious in all types of cocktails.

Pair your rajas -- a savory Mexican dish -- with robust cocktails that can stand up to the food.

Juan to Juan



Ingredients:

• 1 part Montelobos Mezcal
• 1 part Ancho Reyes Original
• ¾ part fresh lemon juice
• ½ part simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters - or homemade bitters or Fee Brothers bitters

Method:
Shake, serve in a coupe glass

Garnish:

Lemon wheel

Ancho Verde Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1 part Milagro Silver Tequila
• 1 part Ancho Reyes Verde
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/3 part Agave Nectar

Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice, shake hard and strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass

Garnish:

Salt half the glass rim. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Montelobos Picador


Ingredients:

• 2 parts Montelobos Mezcal
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• ½ part simple syrup

Method:
Combine ingredients over ice and shake well. Serve over fresh ice in a rocks glass.

Garnish:

Rim the glass with a salt & black pepper; Add an orange slice.


Mexican cuisine is as diverse and rich as the country’s landscape, thanks to its wealth of regional ingredients and deep roots in ancient civilizations and traditions. In the southern state of Oaxaca, the cuisine is defined by two staple ingredients: mezcal and insects. Here, mezcal is not only a drink, but a source of pride and a foundation of cultural identity.


Cricket Cuisine - Photo courtesy of Meutia Chaerani / Indradi Soemardjan


Traditional Mexican flavors have been fused into healthy options that include new ingredients, no frying or oil, a gluten free menu, antibiotics and hormone free steak, an innovative juice bar and more.

 



Not too long ago - BC - (before coronavirus) Bill and I attended a hands-on New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) lecture class on Mezcal - detailing the plant, the region where it grows, the distillation, and a tasting.




Oh - and the news about that worm?

The worm - is ground into a powder and sprinkled on the hand - no worms in the bottle, please! The worm powder has a umami taste. Terrific!


FYI, NYBG offers online education classes - now you have the time to take all those courses you meant to attend but couldn’t find the time in your schedule. Boost your botany IQ!

With longing, I look back to enjoying just about the best Mexican food anywhere -- at Empellón. The James Beard Award winning chef, Alex Stupak had opened his fourth dining emporium in Midtown, NYC. I met friends there to dine right after it opened having reviewed and enjoyed his menu at the other locations downtown. Chef Alex came to our table and we were brimming with praise. The homemade chips dipped into fabulous, spiced sauces.
And Yellow Beets with Coconut Crema and Green Chile Ice -- that’s an ice infused chile that is the most curious and incredible taste!

How to celebrate a healthy Cinco de Mayo on a budget at home
Skip the sour cream. Skip the sugary mixers. Take a look at some health snacks and party ideas, and don’t worry, it still involves alcohol.

Enjoy a festive nacho bar with half the calories for you and your friends by having low-calorie toppings such as beans, tomatoes, quinoa, spinach and ground turkey.

Create your own calorie-friendly True Lime Frozen Margarita or True Lime Mojito.

Each True Citrus True Lime packet equals the taste of 1 lime wedge and is made with only 3 ingredients. It has 0 calories, 0g of sugar and no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors.

Art of the Garnish ~ Finishing Touches using Herbs and Spices
Lime Frost Sea Salt - was pretty much 'born to rim' classic Margaritas. A tangy hint of lime in a crunchy coarse salt stylishly smooths tequila's bite.

Chipotle Smoked Sea Salt - This is perfect if Ancho, Chipotles, Poblanos, or any other smoky chili pepper is on your menu. The smoky-aromatic hint in the salt will turn that tart tequila concoction into a mellow, fruitier experience.

Coconut Sugar with Chardonnay Oak Smoked Sea Salt - Tropical or fruit flavored margaritas, like peach and mango, beg for this rim! 2 parts sweet to 1 part (or less) salt gives you a sweet tropical hit of coconut with a gentle note of smoke and salt.

Ghost Pepper Sea Salt and Brazilian Petite Sea Salt- This rim brings fire to the fiesta! Grind 3 parts Brazilian Petite Sea Salt with 1 part Ghost Pepper Sea Salt for the ultimate hot & salty rim!

Habanero Sugar, Lemon Sugar & Raspberry Sugar - Who says rimmers have to be salty? Add tangy, spicy and/or fruity sweet to your rims with these flavorful sugars.

Method:

MIX desired salt(s) and sugar(s) on a saucer or plate for rimming. Ensure that the mixture covers an area larger in diameter than the rim of your glass.

MOISTEN rim of glass with a slice of lime.

RIM glass by turning moistened rim in salt/sugar mixture. - See more at: http://www.spiceandtea.com/drink-rimmers.html#sthash.iqx7Dov6.dpuf

See more at: http://www.spiceandtea.com/drink-rimmers.html#sthash.iqx7Dov6.dpuf

Cheers!

Learn How to Celebrate and Honor Trees on Arbor Day - And Every Day

Celebrate and Honor Trees 

Today, many folks might ask, “What is Arbor Day?” While you can find out everything you need to know by visiting the Arbor Day Foundation website, the thumbnail is that Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

By the 1920s, each state in the United States had passed public laws that stipulated a certain day to be Arbor Day or Arbor and Bird Day observance. ... On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted.

We’re still playing catch-up for all the trees we cut down...

On that first Arbor Day - there were parades, and more than 1,000 people who came out to hear speeches and celebrate the trees.

Today, Arbor Day is set aside to raise awareness of trees - around the world - and the important role that they play in our environment.

I just wish more folks would get excited about our trees. They are the lungs of the earth. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air.

And while the environment has experienced a cleansing during this covid crisis because we are not burning fossil fuels like we were due to stay-at-home restrictions, the concern is that we haven’t changed our lifestyles - rather just hit the pause button. Once we close the covid chapter, we will most likely go back to polluting our environment. With a vengeance. And that will be even more sad because we now know that areas with heavier pollution condemn their citizens to more risk of coronavirus.

We can modify our behavour. Take this gift that Mother Nature has extended.
Learn about trees, including what native trees are in your area that you can grow in order to improve your part of the world, while helping the pollinators.

Trees can boost the market value of your home by an average of 6 to 7 percent, according to Dr. Lowell Ponte as featured on the Arbor Day website.

Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent, according to the Management Information Services/ICMA.

And “Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value.”

The USDA says, “The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.”

Plus trees help with runoff to protect the soil and our water.

Learn about planting trees in groups rather than a solo star. Visually, this creates a focal point. iF you have the space, a grove of trees can be a reflection point when planted near water; they can create a walkway; and create a view. Furthermore, I always suggest Cluster Planting of trees. Here, Penn State Extension describes why this is good practice:

Cluster planting is done by strategically installing plants in groups of threes, fives, or higher odd numbers to block specific views or prevailing winds. Cluster planting provides an attractive, natural-looking screen without walling off your house and yard like a fortress. By planting clusters away from your house, you also provide backgrounds for interesting flowering and fruiting shrubs that are visible from your deck or living room. Additional cluster plantings can be used to create groves. The combined effect provides screening and an interesting design, allows for good airflow, and accommodates walkways through your property.

Learn how to prune your trees.  Hire the best arborist. Make a date every year with these "rock stars" of the horticultural world in order to maintain healthy trees.

There’s a million reasons to love our trees. And to plant a million more trees.

You can also lobby your local governments and petition the power companies to stop cutting and hallowing out the street trees. They can invest in underground technology. Not only will that effort save our trees but it will also better protect everyone during the huge superstorms that will inevitably arrive with ever more frequency because... We are not safeguarding the environment and we are cutting down trees with abandon. Full circle.  sigh...

Last year I read the Pulitzer Prize winning, The Overstory novel by Richard Powers. It is a profound, life-changing read that I highly recommend.


Bill and I were most fortunate to view The NYBG YouTube presentation of the author’s talk at the Garden. I encourage you to take the 30 minutes to watch and learn…

As a child, I loved to sit in the crotch of the cherry tree just off our screened in porch, and read. I was that much closer to heaven...

Trees are a wonder. Plant trees. Yes, hug them.

Oh, and I learned a new word from my "Hortie Hero," Charles Yurgalevitch from NYBG on Arbor Day: Silvics - it means the scientific study of trees and their environment. Love that! 

Yes, truly love your tree. Go sit under a tree… From a safe, social distance. We’ll all be back in our parks, forests, and woods soon…

What's your favorite tree?
I love so many, including the native Paw Paw (you can make fabulous desserts with the fruit. I made panacotta with it!).  I also love the trunks of birch, sycamore, lacebark, and cherry, to name a few.

Here’s our Kwanzan Cherry Tree in our front yard. She is so very glamorous. We love her.

Celebrate Earth Day 2020 with Mindful Environmental Awareness ~ Extinction Ends Here

We gardeners are dreamers. We are also pragmatists.

Not Eco-pragmatists. Not Ecomodernistas.

Rather, we are dedicated to honoring the traditions of horticulture, science, and respect for all living things. Why wouldn’t we?

Today, we mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

For all intents and purposes, we could be forgiven for thinking this year that all is lost in terms of celebrating this day because we can’t get out to march in solidarity of Mother Earth; to experience our parks. Our beaches. Our sacred and preserved (I pray) 58 national conservation preserves -- due to the covid pandemic.

Yet, - and yet -- there is an extraordinary hope. And some corollary good news.

It’s almost as if…
Mother Nature has been begging. Pleading. Directing us to please take better care of our environment - our world. But we didn’t listen, exactly. Or some of us didn’t.

I can’t but think that Mother Nature lost her patience a bit ~ as all mothers tend to do with ever-increasingly irascible children who refuse to believe that actions have consequences.

The “paws” of yesterday's tornado and hail storms here in the NY~NJ area - (not to mention all the earthquakes I’ve seen posted from friends in the US West and crazy storms in the South and ...) suggest that we need to be more mindful.

The plus is that in the grips of this global coronavirus pandemic, the air is becoming cleaner. Nasa has noted a 30% drop in air pollutants
One can readily see the cleaner, clearer views around the world.
Citizens from India who can - with awe - now see the Himalayan peaks; or the Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles residents who can see and breathe. It’s not magic. It’s Mother Nature teaching us how to behave…
It’s been reported that those areas - particularly our beloved urban cities - are more affected by coronavirus due to air pollution. So to see the byproduct of the stay-at-home directives and the signs that the environment and the air are cleaner is nothing short of a blessed miracle.

My cousin, MaryAnn, shared this haunting pandemic video, "Extinction Ends Here" from the Global Wildlife Conservation.  It made me cry. It's powerful. I dare you not to be profoundly moved... And how will you respond to the question, "Am I enough?"  We are the cure....

What can we learn from this connection? I hope we can link this effort to making our world cleaner. Better.

Please grow more native plants. You can bring pollinators to nurture homegrown plants

Please grow more homegrown edibles - veggies and herbs.

Please reduce lawns where possible and especially the use of chemicals to acquire that wowsy green turf.

Please compost.

Our gardens, our food supply, our next generation deserves this. Mother Nature is not just whispering to us anymore. She’s shouting out. Heed her love…

Of course, please grow and nurture beautiful gardens.

New York Botanical Garden's Collectors' Plant Auction is Online: Shop Rare Plants from the NYBG Collections

The New York Botanical Garden’s annual Collectors’ Plant Auction had to be cancelled - obviously and respectfully - due to the Covid crisis. But the good news is that the Garden sprites and plucky New York Garden team found a way to still offer you their incredible, rare plants.

As readers of Garden Glamour, I don’t need to remind you how happy our plants make us.
Nor how plants heal us.

We need plants more than ever now …

So I’m so thrilled to share with you that even though I am missing my garden art and plant and horticulture friends more than ever at this very special NYBG event -- the 2020 Collectors’ Plant Auction includes an exciting variety of plants that - according to the Gardens’ brilliant team who filled me in on the Plant Auction details:
“Would be quite difficult, or even impossible, for gardeners to find elsewhere because they were propagated from NYBG’s own collections. While many of these offerings have a particularly exciting provenance or are not commonly available in the trade, they are all certainly a living piece of the Garden’s 129-year history of plant collection and care.

Summer container gardeners or glasshouse plant enthusiasts should look for palms propagated from palm dome specimens within the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and even a corpse flower! For the city apartment dweller and plant hunter, there will be unusual aroid and philodendron cuttings from the Garden’s diverse glasshouse collections, as well as an array of specialty garden auricula collections, which can be grown inside given summer air-conditioning.

For outdoor gardeners, the Auction features over 20 herbaceous peonies divided from NYBG’s own Matelich Anniversary Peony Collection, as well as cherry trees and irises propagated from the living collections. Other highlights garden curators are most excited to offer include large specimens of giant philodendron, organically grown dogwood and apple trees, and favorite varieties of garden classics like witch-hazel and epicedium.”

And I just love this - especially the “botanical curiosities reference.” Plants are astonishing and never fail to wow us:
“Collectors will be sure to find a host of botanical curiosities and many great garden performers online at this year’s Collectors’ Plant Auction.”
NYBG will send a link via email when the auction is live on Friday. You’ll be able to access it from NYBG.org at this page

The auction features an exciting array of plants and other unique garden items, beginning on April 17 at 10 a.m. and running through April 23.

***

I have to add that it just tickled me that when looking into the details of this year’s Plant Auction and what was the other element of the event - the Antique Garden Furniture - I researched the Garden’s website and saw the page with news of this year’s event - and among other highlights, saw they had posted news features from last year in order to give guests a preview.

And there was my Garden Glamour post from last year’s event review.

Garden Glamour was in good company: The NY Times, Antiques and the Arts Weekly, and listed just above Martha: Up Close and Personal.

Thank you, Garden Glamour readers and followers! And NYBG.
Please enjoy reading about the glamour of last year’s event to get you in the garden mood. Then, get ready to purchase your plant passions online.
And do share what you “won” at the NYBG Plant Auction. I always say that the next best thing to being in the garden is seeing images of the plants and gardens. And well, to be perfectly honest, reading books about gardens and plants. And perusing magazines for garden art. And seed catalogs… You get the shared passion. Good luck at the Plant Auction!