Cinco de Derby {Le Weekend, in Cocktails }

The first weekend in May practically requires mint juleps.  It's been AGES since I've had one - probably not since last Derby Day!  Thankfully, my dear friend AMA knew just the spot to get our julep fix: the Seven Grand in downtown Los Angeles.

I don't make it downtown very often, and but I had to attend a law gala at the Bonaventure and roped AMA into coming with me to dull the pain {these functions are often so boring, but at least they feed you and give you wine}.  She's the best.

The juleps were perfection!  And it turns out there are plenty of new, hip places to eat and tipple downtown!  I think the revitalization everyone's been talking about is finally starting to be actualized.

On Saturday, after a great workout class with Mr. Curieuse at Equinox, I decided to whip up a bastardized margarita with berries and mint.

Mint from our mini garden, cointreau, limes, frozen blackberries {and a few raspberries, why not}, and tequila.  Muddle the fruit and herbs, add 1 shot each tequila, lime juice, cointreau.

This isn't a high-volume drink, but if you wanted to increase yield without adding to the alcohol content, I think some limeade would be a great addition.  It is absolutely yummy as-is, though.

Mr. Curieuse and I went to see more Thor the Avengers that evening {loved it!}, and stopped to try a new Mexican restaurant in town: Mercado.  If you're in Santa Monica and have a hankering for Mexican food, you must come here.  The food's great, and we even saw a few B-List celebs.

The blood-orange marg was delish!

I will admit, however, that the blackberry mint marg was my favorite cocktail of the weekend.  I can't wait to try more variations on the traditional margarita!

Hope y'all had a wonderful Cinco de Derby, too!