Spice up your office routine with these festive Cinco de Mayo ideas

The countdown is on so get ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at work in style with food, drinks and more.

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On Friday, 5 May, it'll be time to don your sombreros and break out the maracas for a lively Cinco de Mayo celebration. While this Mexican holiday may not be an official public holiday in Australia, it's an excellent opportunity to inject some vibrant colours and delicious flavours into your workplace.

Many people think Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s version of Independence Day but the holiday actually commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. Nevertheless, this special day has become one of the world’s most popular cultural celebrations, offering a great excuse for a lively party filled with mouth-watering food, music, and dancing.

What food to serve on Cinco de Mayo

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Feeling that spicy Mexican spirit? No Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete without a festive spread of Mexican cuisine. 

Here are some traditional dishes to include in your office fiesta and where to get them.

Quesadillas

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These cheesy delights are perfect for sharing and can be easily customised with different fillings. Try it with some salsa and sour cream and you’re in for a treat.

Where to order quesadillas for the office:

• Foodie del Mar (Sydney)
• Mad Mex (Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney)
• Pablo’s Kitchen (Sydney)

Nachos

A crowd-pleasing favourite, nachos are perfect for sharing with your workmates. Crispy tortilla chips loaded with melted cheese, jalapeños, salsa, and sour cream create a masterpiece for your mouth.

Where to order nachos for your Cinco de Mayo party:

• Foodie del Mar (Sydney)
• Guzman Y Gomez (Sydney)
• Mad Mex (Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney)
• Pablo’s Kitchen (Sydney)

Burritos

Aussies love a good wrap and that’s basically what a burrito is. Choose your favourite protein, add some beans, sour cream and salsa and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for a Mayan god. For a healthier and gluten-free option, ditch the tortilla and order a burrito bowl instead.

Where to get burritos for your office fiesta:

• Guzman Y Gomez (Sydney)
• Mad Mex (Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney)
• Pablo’s Kitchen (Sydney)
• Zambrero (Brisbane, Wollongong)

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Guacamole

This is one of those dishes that seem so simple but somehow always taste better at your local Mexican restaurant. Traditional guacamole is all about using the right balance of ingredients from your just-ripe avocados to the freshly squeezed lime juice, you can’t go wrong with a bowl to share.

Get your guacamole from:

• Guzman Y Gomez (Sydney)
• Mad Mex (Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney)
• Zambrero (Brisbane, Wollongong)

Tacos

Whether you like hard shells or soft shells, tacos have become an intrinsic part of Mexican cuisine. You’ll find them served on every street corner for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And luckily, all across Australia, too! 

Tacos work well for meat-eaters and vegans alike as they’re easy to customise. Just top with salsa, guacamole, and the protein of your choice.

Order tacos to your office from:

• Darwin Catering Company (Darwin)
• Foodie del Mar (Sydney)
• Guzman Y Gomez (Sydney)
• Mad Mex (Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney)
• Pablo’s Kitchen (Sydney)
• Zambrero (Brisbane, Wollongong)

Churros

Finish off your feast with these irresistible deep-fried dough pastries, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with warm chocolate or dulce de leche sauce for dipping.

Where to get churros to finish off your Cinco de Mayo feast:

• Darwin Catering Company (Darwin)
• Guzman Y Gomez (Sydney)
• Mad Mex (Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney)
• Pablo’s Kitchen (Sydney)
• Prestige Catering (Perth)

Want it all? If you’re in Sydney Pablo’s Kitchen will cook up its Big Mexican Fiesta, packed with nachos, fajitas, tacos, empanadas, quesadillas and more.

Drinks to serve for Cinco de Mayo

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A Cinco de Mayo celebration wouldn't be complete without some tasty Mexican-inspired beverages. Whether you’re looking for the real deal or some non-alcoholic options for a mid-day event, we’ve got you covered with these top Cinco de Mayo drinks for work.

With Cinco de Mayo being on a Friday in 2023, you’ve got the the perfect opportunity to host a Mexican-themed after-work drinks.

Palomas

This tequila-based cocktail is both simple and refreshing. Palomas are made by mixing tequila with grapefruit soda, a splash of lime juice, and a pinch of salt.

Margaritas

This classic Mexican cocktail mixes tequila, lime juice, and triple sec and is served on the rocks or blended with ice. With options like strawberry, mango, or the traditional lime, margaritas are a refreshing and zesty complement to your Cinco de Mayo feast. Check out Red Bottle and Vintage Cellars for a wide selection of tequila.

Micheladas

Micheladas combine beer, lime juice, and a variety of savoury sauces like tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. A perfect choice for those who enjoy a bit of a kick with their drink. Try Shortys Liquor to try yours with a Corona for true authenticity.

Virgin Margaritas

Combine lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup in a shaker, then pour over ice and garnish with a salt rim and lime wedge.

Jarritos

Jarritos is a beloved Mexican soft drink that embodies the spirit of Mexico with its vibrant flavours and colours. Add them to your Mad Mex order and you can take your pick of its most popular flavours including Mandarin, Lime, and Guava.

Cinco de Mayo games for the office

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Keep the festive spirit alive throughout the day with some entertaining office games. These three fun options will encourage team bonding and guarantee some extra excitement for your Cinco de Mayo office party.

Office Loteria

Adapt this traditional Mexican bingo-style game for the workplace by creating custom cards featuring office supplies or work-related images.

Limbo Dance-Off

Add a twist to the classic limbo game by incorporating Mexican music and decorations. Encourage participants to wear sombreros while trying to pass under the limbo stick for extra laughs.

Mexican Trivia Challenge

Divide your colleagues into teams and test their knowledge of Mexican history, culture, and cuisine with a fun trivia game. Offer themed prizes to the winning team for added excitement.

What else can you do to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at work?

Looking for the best Cinco de Mayo office party ideas? Transform your office into a vibrant Mexican fiesta with these fun suggestions:

• Decorate with colourful banners, balloons, and streamers in bright shades of green, red, and white (the colours of the Mexican flag)
• Create a Mexican-inspired playlist featuring upbeat tunes to set the mood and get everyone moving (think, mariachi, Banda and even some reggaeton)
• Organise a salsa dancing lesson or demonstration for your team to enjoy during their break

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