Whether you plan to hit the town or create your own festivities at home this Cinco de Mayo, we’ve made it easy to celebrate with great flavors and fresh ideas. To discover the true spirit of Mexico, you simply need delicious food, a festive spirit and authentic Mexican drinks.

Fresh, flavorful food
Bring the flavors of Mexico right into your kitchen with help from Chef Roberto Santibañez and Corona Extra beer. Chef Santibañez provides insight straight from his New York restaurant, Fonda, in this recipe for Fish Tacos, made with either Corona or Pacifico beer. Not only is it a creative use for the beer you may already be drinking, but also it will help ensure a light, fluffy batter for the fish.

Beer Battered Fish Tacos

Get creative with your taco toppings by serving your tacos with both smooth, full flavor ingredients, like avocados or Mexican creme (a silky, sour cream), and bright, fresh salsas. Start with a basic salsa base and add fresh fruit and spices to create new and unique salsa flavors to go with your tacos. Fruit like peaches or mangos perfectly pair with tomatoes and peppers in salsa.

If you choose to go out to eat for Cinco de Mayo, look for items that feature authentic Mexican ingredients hard to find in the grocery stores, such as Chihuahua cheese, guajillo peppers or homemade tortillas.

Easy, festive decor
Once your meal is planned, focus on creating a festive atmosphere. A fun and simple idea is to decorate the table with the colors of Mexico’s flag. Use a red tablecloth and save time on dishes by using green and white paper plates and disposable utensils. You can also use some of the fresh produce of Mexico, such as avocados and peppers, to create vibrant centerpieces or decorations. Add bright, colorful hibiscus flowers in between the fresh ingredients to complete the look. Finally, turn on mariachi music to transport guests to the state of honor, Mexico!

Authentic, Mexican drinks
When it comes to drinks, stock your fridge with a variety of Mexican beers that will appease all tastes and pair with your party snacks. Corona Extra is always a classic choice with its one-of-a-kind taste and iconic lime wedge accompaniment. But for guests looking for a lighter version of this classic, Corona Light is the perfect solution to stock. Also, consider adding a Mexican-style pilsner, a pale lager beer with a bit more hop flavor, like Modelo Especial and Pacifico. To round out your line-up, add a beer with a bit sweeter, malt flavor. Negra Modelo has a mild caramel flavor but does not overpower your meal.

If you are still looking for a way to expand your drink selection, try adding a few beer-tails, or beer cocktails, to the mix. Next to your assortment of beers, set-up a bucket of ice, highball glasses, course salt and limes. Rim the glass with salt by running a lime around the rim first, fill the glass with ice, squeeze in a couple wedges of lime then top with a Corona or Modelo Especial. Very refreshing.

Fun conversation starters
Whether at home or around a restaurant table, spark discussions amongst guests with fun Cinco de Mayo facts. Here are a few tidbits to get the party started.

• Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of Mexico over the French in the Battle of Puebla May 5,1862.

• It is not to be confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, which is September 16, 1810.

• The largest Cinco de Mayo party is not in Mexico, but is actually held in Los Angeles. It is called Festival De Fiesta Broadway.