The Celebration of Cinco de Mayo

CINCO DE MAYO

The Celebration of Cinco de Mayo

At Anejo Restaurants, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo to honour Mexican culture and heritage. As a Mexican restaurant inspired by Jalisco and Central Mexico, we offer a unique Tequila experience and festive atmosphere that captures the spirit of this special holiday.

The Celebration of Cinco de Mayo

It was April 1862; Mexico was a gigantic warzone and after years of conflict the Mexican army was facing another formidable foe. One of the most powerful armies in the world, a battle-hardened French army who had taken over Mexico City, had their sights set on the city of Puebla. A city vital to the French if they were going to maintain their supply lines to the sea. But Mexican commander, General Ignacio Zaragoza was not going to let that happen.

Upon hearing of the French landing on the Mexican coast, Zaragoza resigned his post as Mexican Secretary of War and headed to the battlefront to take command of the Mexican forces. Outnumbered and outgunned, Zaragoza evoked the survivor motto to outwit, outplay, and outlast the oppressors. For a week, the Mexican troops pulled back into the mainland and burned everything in sight preventing the French from capturing supplies and drawing them deeper into unfamiliar territory.

The Battle of Puebla: From Battle Cry to Celebration

On the eve of Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican commander gathered his ill-equipped soldiers near the city of Puebla, and in a rally cry, urged his man to fight for freedom and their homeland. That night they strategically attacked. The battle was fierce and bloody, but the Mexican army emerged victorious, and the city of Puebla was saved.

As the years went by, the victory at the Battle of Puebla became a symbol of Mexican pride and resilience, and the date of May 5th became known as Cinco de Mayo - a day of celebration and remembrance.

Fast forward to the 1960s, Mexican-Americans still fighting for their cultural freedom, organized events to raise awareness about the social and economic issues facing their community. As part of this “Chicano movement”, Cinco de Mayo celebrations began to spread across North America, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

Casamigos Tequila: The Perfect Addition to Your Cinco de Mayo Celebration

The Perfect Addition to Your Cinco de Mayo

In the 1980s and 1990s, Cinco de Mayo celebrations gained even more popularity thanks to increased awareness and participation from the Mexican-American community. Today, the spirit of Cinco de Mayo lives on. People all over the world gather with friends to honour Mexican culture, and celebrate with food, music, and of course, Tequila.

And what better way to celebrate than with a bottle of Casamigos - the "house of friends" Tequila that embodies the spirit of camaraderie and good times. On special through May and June at our Añejo Toronto locations. With its smooth, complex flavor that rooted in Mexican tradition, Casamigos Tequila is the perfect accompaniment to any Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Viva Mexico

This Cinco de Mayo, gather your own "house of friends," raise a glass of Tequila, and honour the memory of General Zaragoza and the Mexicans who fought for their freedom, their rights, and their land. Salud!