Cinco de Mayo is a festivity commemorating Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. Interestingly it is more commonly celebrated in the United States than it is in Mexico and is therefore often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, which is September 16. Celebrations first began in the Californian mining town Columbia where they have been held every year since 1863. But it wasn’t until the 1950s it turned into a big thing thanks to the United States government’s effort to reach out to neighboring countries. Mexican-Americans saw the opportunity to take pride in their former home country and took May 5 to their hearts.

THE BANDERITA
The Banderita, “Little flag”, is a drink made up of three glasses, the first with tequila, the second with freshly squeezed lime juice and the third with Sangrita, together making up the colors of the Mexican flag. The Sangrita, playing the role of chaser (or rather of a sipper) in the Banderita, should be considered the star and is in itself said to make or break a Mexican restaurant. The Sangrita, meaning “Little blood” in Spanish, is a very traditional drink originating in Jalisco, the Mexican state where tequila is made. It is said to have been made from the leftover juices at the bottom of a bowl of pico de gallo. The juice was poured into clay cups and was drunk together with tequila after dinner as a well needed digestif. The Mexican versions of the Sangrita are generally more citrus focused with grapefruit, orange and lime whilst American recipes tend to lean more towards tomato juice, rather like a citrusy Virgin Mary. Whatever the base, the Sangrita is there to perfectly balance the earthy notes of the tequila, enhancing its flavor.

THE DESIGNER
The glasses are called Fasetti and were designed by Kaj Franck in 1964.