Cinco de Mayo falls on a Taco Tuesday this year. Expect Mexican-themed restaurant chains to bring the chips & guac and the tequila brands to bring the shots.
Hornitos
Tequila brand Hornitos is tying its celebration to the world of fashion, staging a “Mex Gala” in New York City. The event, which comes the day after the famed and elite Met Gala in New York, will take a different approach, highlighting “de todos” (“of everyone”). Guests will be greeted with an “Open Carpet,” designed by mixed media artist and muralist Bianca Romero, and will be treated to a set from Las Flaquitas, a trio of DJs. The partnership with Las Flaquitas is part of a larger partnership with Hornitos, which will also feature the introduction of three signature cocktails: the Horchata Colada, the Jalisco Sunrise and the Flaqui Margarita.
Drizz
Drizz, a maker of drops that turn water into cocktail and mocktail mixers, will unveil “The World’s Largest Mocktail Margarita” in Dallas. The 11-foot interactive art installation is meant to highlight just how many drinks can be crafted from a 2-ounce bottle of Drizz. (The answer is 30, which roughly translates to an 11-foot drink.)
Avocados from Mexico
With more than 235 million pounds of Mexican avocados expected to be imported into the U.S. in the month leading up to Cinco de Mayo, guacamole may very well be the next margarita. Avocados from Mexico is naturally getting into the celebration by featuring five new recipes – created in partnership with Diega Boneta – that will be featured in a “Guaco Truck” venturing around New York City. Unlike traditional taco trucks, the Guaco Truck will feature a twist: customers who bring any food item (from pizza and donuts to “your sad desk salad or street hot dog) can get a free guac topping, featuring one of the five recipes.
Ortega
Rather than limit the partying to one day, Mexican food product purveyor Ortega is looking to make “Seis de Mayo” happen to extend the celebrations. “Every brand shows up for Cinco de Mayo, but the energy disappears just as fast,” said Ellen Schum, executive vice president at B&G Foods. “Seis de Mayo is about turning the day after into something worth celebrating and proving the fiesta doesn’t have to stop.”
The movement will start in Chicago on Wednesday, May 6, with taco trucks popping up in two locations in the city (near the famed Magnificent Mile and in Wrigleyville, close to the Cubs’ home ballpark), serving up breakfast tacos in the morning and a new “Chicago Taco Dog” creation in the evening. Both stops will feature the brand’s spokes character, “Brotega.”
7-Eleven
Convenience chain 7-Eleven will bring its “Laredo Taco Company” wares into its namesake stores (as well as Speedway and Stripes) nationwide. Promos will include buy-one-get-one burritos and $6 walking tacos (in-bag Doritos covered in toppings including ground beef, queso and pico de gallo), and $3 wine-based frozen margaritas.
Chipotle
Chipotle is offering free chips and guacamole or free chips and queso blanco exclusively in the Chipotle app, Chipotle.com and Chipotle.ca using code “CINCO26.”
Taco Bell & Grubhub
Taco Bell is running a promotion for Grubhub+ members who can get a free Crunchwrap Supreme when they spend $20+ at Taco Bell. The push aims to pick up new members, who can join for $.99 a month for six months during the month of May.
Chili’s
Chili’s is offering $5 margaritas for Cinco de Mayo at participating locations.
Teremana
Bridging the space between Hornitos and Avocados from Mexico, small-batch tequila company Teremana (which is owned by Dwane Johnson) will bring back its “Guac on the Rock” campaign,in which the brand will offer free appetizers to bar and restaurant patrons who order a Teremana cocktail. (Retail consumers can get up to $10 back on a purchase of a 750 ML Teremana bottle and margarita mixer.
