• Home
  • Recipes
  • Eats & Drinks
    ▼
    • Easy Everyday
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Drinks
  • Parties
    ▼
    • Party Food
    • Celebrations
    • Everyday Parties
    • Party DIY
    • Party Planning
    • Flowers
  • Home
    ▼
    • Decorating
    • Cleaning
    • Organizing
    • Gardening
  • Holidays
    ▼
    • 4th of July
    • Birthdays
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Saint Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year’s Eve
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • About
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sugar and Charm

  • Eats & Drinks
    • Easy Everyday
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Drinks
  • Parties
    • Party Food
    • Celebrations
    • Everyday Parties
    • Party DIY
    • Party Planning
    • Flowers
  • Home
    • Decorating
    • Cleaning
    • Organizing
    • Gardening
  • Holidays
    • 4th of July
    • Birthdays
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Saint Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year’s Eve
  • Shop
Home » Parties » How to Host A Charming Cinco de Mayo Party!

How to Host A Charming Cinco de Mayo Party!

Published on April 27, 2016 Updated on February 3, 2022 by Eden

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
This post may contain Affiliate Links. Please read our privacy policy here.

Your guide to hosting a charming Cinco de Mayo party! From food ideas, to the best drinks and desserts. We’re sharing all the details and celebration ideas!

Cinco de Mayo table setting with pink flowers, fruit and benches.

We’re all about throwing a party that features margarita popsicles, tacos and horchata and a festive Mexican folk art papel picado!!

Cactus plant with a tiny skeleton and pink flowers on a black and white table for Cinco de Mayo.

For those who are wondering, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day, it celebrates the improbable victory of the Mexican army over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Furthermore, it’s a very popular celebration here in Los Angeles! We’re always down with any excuse to eat Mexican food and experience the rich culture! See the charming party details below!

Mexican pink and white cookies.
pink flowers on a marble table for Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo Food

Table of Contents

  • Cinco de Mayo Food
  • Cinco de Mayo Cocktails
  • Cinco de Mayo Desserts
  • Cinco de Mayo Decorations
      • Papel picado
      • Use Garden Stools
      • Painted Ceramic Skulls
    • Cactus for Each Setting

There are SO many recipes you can make. We went with a taco bar because… well it’s easy and EVERYONE loves tacos! However, if you’re in the mood take to make more food here are some great ideas that are perfect for a crowd:

  • Easy Pozole Soup
  • Easy and Delicious Taco Salad with the BEST dressing!
  • Mexican Style Fruit Platter with Chili Lime Salt
  • Chicken Enchiladas
  • Mexican Street Corn Nachos
Tacos, rice and beans on a black and white plate.
Black spoon with salsa pouring onto a taco for Cinco de Mayo

We also made a traditional Mexican style salad with sliced fruit and served guacamole, chips and salsa.

Three salsas in marble bowls with black spoons.

Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

It’s not a party without the cocktails! Here are some amazing recipes that will go perfectly with Mexican food. For a charming touch, you can also serve mini margaritas!

  • 4 Delicious Agua Fresca Recipes
  • Horchata – You’ll have to quadruple this recipe.
  • 10 Best Unique Margarita Recipes
  • Cucumber Avocado Daiquiri
  • Watermelon Lemonade
Girl holding a pineapple cocktail

In addition to cocktails, Aguas Frescas are popular in Mexican culture, especially here in LA. Anytime we go to the Farmers Market or Rose Bowl, we pick up a delicious agua fresca! We used our recipe for mango and pineapple agua fresca!

Horchata and Pineapple Agua Fresca in large jugs.
Mexican horchata in a small glass with a cinnamon stick.

Add a cinnamon stick in the horchata when serving for a charming touch!

Mexican horchata in a jug with succulents for Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo Desserts

The dessert… our favorite part! We live by some really amazing Mexican bakeries, so I picked up a few dozen traditional Mexican sugar cookies and churros and made a dessert platter!

We also made cute watermelon margarita popsicles and served those as papaya and banana coconut sorbet. Here are some more delicious Mexican inspired desserts:

  • The Most Delicious Avocado Popsicles
  • Watermelon Tequila Popsicles
  • Passion Fruit Ice Cream Cones
  • Mexican Chocolate Brownies
  • Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches
papa ice cream cone with shredded coconut on top.
Colorful Mexican cookies and churros on a white platter.

In addition to cookies, we made homemade papaya and banana, coconut sorbet. Recipe coming tomorrow!

Cinco de Mayo Decorations

Colorful party decorations and art are a big part of the culture and if you’re going to host a Cinco de mayo party you must have some traditional decor!

We shopped our local Olvera street in Los Angeles to find authentic party decorations.

Papel picado

This is a hand-cut paper design that can be hung like bunting for decor.

Use Garden Stools

Garden stools are a great option for outdoor seating. They look charming around a table too.

Painted Ceramic Skulls

These are perfect decorations for Cinco de Mayo! Place them on the table or near food stations.

Cinco de Mayo party set-up outside.

On Olvera Street, I shopped for the table runner, tiny little skeletons and the traditional papel picado, which is a paper banner inspired by Mexican folk art!

Succulent in a vase with a tiny skeleton sitting on the edge.
Cinco de Mayo table setting with black napkin, wooden napkin ring, pink flowers and black flatware.

Cactus for Each Setting

Erin, from White Fig Designs, made the most beautiful floral and succulent garland for the middle of the table and brought tiny, potted cacti for each place setting!

These also make wonderful party favors for guests to take home.

Pink flower arrangements with a black and white skull and salsa on a marble table outside for a Cinco de Mayo party.
Pink flowers and succulents

Hope you’re all inspired to throw a festive and Happy Cinco de Mayo party on May 5th!! Tag us in your photos @sugarandcharm on social!


19 Comments

Related Posts

  • Super Easy Garlic Dip Recipe

    Super Easy Garlic Dip Recipe

  • Amazing Easy Meatball Appetizer Recipe

    Amazing Easy Meatball Appetizer Recipe

  • Over 20 Delicious Mexican Dessert Recipes

    Over 20 Delicious Mexican Dessert Recipes

Stay up to Date

Join our Newsletter to Keep up on Latest

Related Posts

  • Mix & Match Garden Cocktail Bar
  • DIY Paper Fortune Cookies
  • How to Host the Best Fall Harvest Party
  • DIY Tassel Wine Charms
Previous Post: « 11 ways to use Lemon Essential Oil
Next Post: Papaya and Banana Coconut Sorbet Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maria says

    July 6, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    Where did you buy the large glass containers for the drinks

    Reply
    • Eden says

      July 7, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      We purchased these at World Market many years ago. You can find them online, maybe Amazon now.

      Reply
  2. Karen says

    April 3, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    Love this color scheme. We are having my daughter’s college graduation party on Cinco de Mayo and I was struggling with the decorations, didn’t want the “traditional fiesta” type. I’m going to use this as inspiration! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 3, 2017 at 8:02 pm

      Thank you Karen!! Love hearing this!!

      Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    May 2, 2016 at 10:10 am

    This is so gorgeous!!! Who wouldn’t love to attend a party like this one!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      May 2, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      Thank you Stephanie!!! That’s so sweet of you!!! XOXOXOX

      Reply
  4. Kristin says

    May 1, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    This is so perfect,Eden!! Beautiful job!! ?

    Reply
    • Eden says

      May 1, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you Kristin!!! I loved seeing your comment… reminds me of old times when we all had more free time! HAHAHA!! Thank you for stopping by the ol’ blog 🙂 XO

      Reply
  5. Susanne Mackintosh says

    April 29, 2016 at 8:58 pm

    Gorgeous!!!
    Also love the backdrop for these pictures ?. You are so incredibly talented, well done!! I’m inspired just by the flowers alone!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 30, 2016 at 5:57 pm

      Thank you Susanne!!! By the way, the roses are bloomed and make the most gorgeous backdrop!! You did such a wonderful job planting those! We’re enjoying them! XOXOXO

      Reply
  6. Pops says

    April 29, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    I hope Martha Stewart appreciated it, and learned something from you!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 30, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Haha!! I can teach her a lot… kidding!!!

      Reply
  7. Linda says

    April 29, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    Would love to know where you purchased the Mexican pastries!

    Reply
  8. Trina and Tina says

    April 27, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    This is fantastic! Love the colors, decor, and food! Can’t wait for the sorbet recipe!
    http://www.sistersweetly.wordpress.com

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 27, 2016 at 6:36 pm

      Thanks Trina and Tina!!! I’m so glad you both like it and thank you for taking the time to leave a sweet comment!!

      Reply
  9. jen montgomery says

    April 27, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    I love your sense of color!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 27, 2016 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you Jen!!! I had fun putting it together 🙂 XOXOXO

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Eden of Sugar and Charm

Adding a little charm to the everyday life with entertaining and lifestyle inspiration, sweet recipes and classic style… your daily dose of sugar and charm!

Meet
Eden

Eden’s Corner

Eden's Corner

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Signup for the Newsletter
View our Most Charming Posts

Seasonal Recipes

The Best Banana Bread Recipe Ever

The Best Banana Bread Recipe Ever

Complete Guide to Making Homemade Popsicles + Recipes

Complete Guide to Making Homemade Popsicles + Recipes

How to Make Delicious and Easy Monkey Bread!

How to Make Delicious and Easy Monkey Bread!

How to Create the Perfect Cheese Platter

How to Create the Perfect Cheese Platter

A Colorful Backyard Carnival Party Theme

A Colorful Backyard Carnival Party Theme

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce

Popular Posts

The Best Cookie Recipes

The Best Cookie Recipes

Cranberry Orange Cornbread Recipe

Cranberry Orange Cornbread Recipe

Super Moist Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Super Moist Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe

Frozen Gin and Tonic Recipe

Valentine’s Day Charcuterie and Dessert Platter!

Valentine’s Day Charcuterie and Dessert Platter!

Guide to Hosting a Tropical Summer Party!

Guide to Hosting a Tropical Summer Party!

Footer

You Might Also Like

frozen strawberry cocktail

The Best 4th of July Cocktails

garlic dip recipe

Super Easy Garlic Dip Recipe

meatball appetizers

Amazing Easy Meatball Appetizer Recipe

honey simple syrup with lavender

How to Make Honey Syrup

mint julep recipe

Easy Mint Julep Recipe

Featured In:

Featured In Logos

Copyright © 2022 · Sugar and Charm · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Statement