Cinco de Mayo

My roommates and I decided to have a Cinco de Mayo party. Well, rather, a Cinco de Mayo party had us. We had decided to have a party last Friday because it would be the last weekend before graduation during which we'd all be around at the same time, so we wanted to celebrate. Instantly and accidentally, as usually happens, brilliance struck when I just happened to remember by chance that Friday would also be Cinco de Mayo. Suddenly, a party theme was born.

An invitation was sent. Drinks and snacks were bought as we deliberated over the details. One roommate wanted to try a mixed drink, but doesn't like carbonation or the taste of alcohol. What to make? Anywhere between 10 and 40 people could show up. What snacks? Slowly, plans began to come together.

In the end, roughly 20 people crammed themselves into our living room (and if you've seen it, you know that's a feat unto itself). After a few delightful moments talking to one of my closest friends who beat the crowd by a bit, crowds of smiling people began knocking at the door. The room filled with the sounds of virtual mariachi from my iPod and the chatter of a roomful of people who are enjoying themselves to the fullest. Occasionally the blender roared to life, grinding out a round of margaritas.

Velveeta queso continued to be a crowd pleaser, even with the New England crowd I was serving, most of whom had never even heard of queso. The drink of the night turned out to be Tequila Sunrise (tequila and orange juice are poured over ice, then a shot of grenedine is poured down the inside edge of the glass so that it sinks to the bottom. The drink is served with this layered look, and the grenedine slowly filters up through the glass, making a sunrise effect. I was astounded that it worked just as the directions claimed, and the friend who doesn't like the taste of alcohol was suitably impressed by the drink. Victory on two fronts.).

Somehow, throughout the course of the semester, I've earned the reputation as a great bartender. I'm not sure how this came about, it's not like it's something I do often. I know how to make maybe 3 drinks. And yet people come to me continuously asking for drink suggestions. I consider telling them that anyone can splash a few things in a glass or pull a malt beverage out of the fridge, but I enjoy the process even if I don't know what I'm doing. Bartending gives me a few private moments with the guest at hand.

Usually I have no idea what "real" drinks might entail, so I get a rough idea of what my subject wants and make it up as I go along. "What do you like to drink? Do you like sweet drinks, or drinks with some zing to them? Hmmmm, I see. Do you like cranberries? No? Ok, chocolate? Right, I have an idea." I look the bar over and consider my options. Once I have my inspiration, I return my attention to the guest while I mix. "How has life been treating you? I haven't seen you for months! How did your bio class turn out?" It's an age old ritual, but one I'm happy to take part in. The drink is finished. I hand it to the guest, sneak another handful of chex mix from the table and head back into the fray until the next person comes looking for a suggestion...

Everyone appeared to have a marvelous time, and the hosts went to bed tired and pleased by the accomplishments of the evening. Yes, it turns out that even Physics and Computer Science majors know how to throw a good party.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, I'll see you later in the week!

(I moonlight as a vampire)