Cocktail Culture: Unusual Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo

Never mind that Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico. The day commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla -- but Americans see it as a time to do tequila shots for breakfast.

The margarita gets a makeover at these destination-worthy watering holes.

Watermelon Margarita
At Spencer's by the Sea restaurant at The Reach, sitting on Key West's only natural sand beach, guests can celebrate the holiday with a Watermelon Margarita while taking in sweeping views of the Atlantic. Fresh watermelon puree is matched with Maestro Dobel tequila, agave nectar, and fresh Key West lime juice.

1 � oz pure Agave Tequila (Maestro Dobel)
1 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
1 oz fresh lime juice
� cup cubed watermelon
1 cup ice
Dash 100% pure organic agave nectar
Fresh strawberry or watermelon slice for garnish

Instructions: Pour ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Pour contents into a chilled margarita class and garnish.

Lemoncello Margarita
Amway Grand Plaza celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a contemporary take on a classic margarita. The Golden Sun Margarita combines a mixture of Patron Citronage tequila, Lemoncello, simple syrup, five basil leaves and a splash of lemon, lime and grapefruit juices.

1 � oz Patron Citronage tequila
� oz Lemoncello
� oz simple syrup
5 basil leaves
A splash (approximately � oz ) of the following fresh squeezed juices: lemon, lime and grapefruit

Instructions: Build over ice in a short glass. Shake vigorously and pour all contents back into the glass. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Sneaky Devil
At The Bar at The Spectator Hotel, a southern 1920s speakeasy in Charleston, master mixologist Allen Lancaster offers up a spicy kick on a craft margarita with El Diablo Solapado (Sneaky Devil). Cazadores Reposado and Pineapple-Cilantro Shrub are matched with handmade serrano pepper honey, Tepache pineapple liqueur and fresh lime juice.

1 � oz Cazadores Reposado
1 oz Pineapple-Cilantro Shrub
� oz Serrano Pepper Honey
� oz Tepache Pineapple Liqueur
� oz Fresh Lime Juice

Instructions: In a chilled mixing glass combine Cazadores Reposado, Pineapple-Cilantro Shrub, serrano pepper honey, Tepache pineapple liqueur and fresh lime juice together. Pack mixing ice with glass, cover and shake. Strain into chilled Rocks glass with ice. Garnish with Fresh lime wheel. Garnish with a serrano pepper, sprig of cilantro and pineapple wedge.

Infused Fruits
Cinco de Mayo drinkers can venture to Marriott Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach for a Floridian flair on the margarita. At Sea Level Ocean Bar -- perched directly above the beach -- the "Garden to Glass" methodology prevails with bartenders preparing handcrafted cocktails with fresh-squeezed ingredients and herbs from the chef's organic garden. The Tropical Margarita is centered around a house-infused mango, papaya, and pineapple tequila with Grand Marnier and lime juice.

Tropical Margarita
1 � ounce infused Avion Tequila*
1 ounce Grand Marnier
Splash of Sour Mix
Splash of Pineapple juice
2 lime wedges

Instructions: Fill all ingredients into a bar shaker full of ice, shake well. Serve in highball glass, salted to preference.

*Tropical Infused Avion Tequila:
Fill infusion jar with sliced tropical fruits, skinned
2 pineapples
4 mangos
4 oranges
1 papaya

Fill entire infusion jar with Avion silver tequila and allow to infuse for 3 days. Pour tequila into your favorite bottle to serve.