Mash-Up

May 5 is a day to reflect on Mexican culture and specifically to celebrate Mexico's pivotal win against the French in the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. And while most of us gringos mistake Cinco de Mayo for Mexican Independence Day (September 16), it doesn't really matter because the end result is the same—terrible heartburn from eight hours of drinking margaritas. Anyway, most of you don't know what St. Paddy's is for either. All you know is that it is time to par-tay. Si, señor.

On Saturday, the Pancho Villa of '80s metal throws a bash fueled by the juice of the revolution—tequila. Vince Neil's Tres Rios Tequila Cinco de Mayo Splash at the Flamingo pool will serve as the official launch of his scrumptious agave, as well as a grand pool party. His band will play along with plenty of booze and plenty of food; doors open at 7 p.m., and Neil performs at 9. The event is free and open to the public, but you still have to get tickets at Vince Neil Ink inside O'Shea's Casino before the party.

If you wish to start with some Mexican dishes, options abound. Border Grill at Mandalay Bay throws an all-day fiesta Saturday that is well worth the trip. The patio overlooking the pool will offer several food stations with roaming mariachis, and as the sun goes down, a DJ gets the late-night fun going, and the food starts to be more salt and lime and less chips and salsa.

Both Pink Taco at Hard Rock and Garduño's at the Palms will have drink specials, additional menu items and music to keep the celebration muy caliente. But the ultimate pairing of drink and grub is at Isla in TI. Even though its Tuesday night party fizzled out, with one of the largest selections of tequila in the city every night is on the verge of getting out of control. Master chef Richard Sandoval has a special menu for the big day, and each dish can be paired with a top-shelf tequila or even one of the several flights of tequilas available, and of course mariachis will be there, too.

Pure touts a Cinco party, which is really nothing more than a Saturday night gig with DJ Steve Aoki and Danny Masterson, but we'll go with it. Club Rockstar takes over Risqué at Paris, conjoining the Latin holiday with the post-party for the De La Hoya/Mayweather Jr. fight and the Supercross competitions with a large line up of DJs. And finally, Rockhouse will serve—you guessed it—green, white and red daiquiris. Bueno.

Triq'd again

According to its MySpace page, Triq Afterhours is temporarily closed, but don't fret, as it's already back on for Triq's grand opening this May 4 (which, according to our records, is the third grand opening for the venue, which opened just three months ago, but whatever). Apparently, it is a co-celebration of the re-branding of Desert Passage as the Miracle Mile Shops, as well as the launch of veteran DJ Jesse Saunders' House Heaven Afterhours. As the club is touting 33,000 square feet of solid party, it sounds like the upstairs theater portion will now regularly be open, a space that has rarely been seen since the second grand opening. On May 5, Carey Hart hosts a Supercross party; on May 11, the House Society will launch Back Stage, featuring DJs Keith Evan, Carlos Sanchez and guests; and on May 12 and 19, Triq hosts a DJ battle—the winner takes a residency at House Heaven Afterhours. With a lineup like that, we can't wait to see what they'll do for their next grand opening.

Health nuts

When Men's Fitness voted Las Vegas the fattest city in the country, we couldn't argue much, considering our lifestyle, and accepted our award from a cozy seat at a buffet. But now thanks to Thai and U.S. researchers we might have a little more health ammunition in our corner. According to a report published by CNN, fruity cocktails may soon be considered health food. Yeah, we liked the sound of it, too. Not that we needed any more fodder for our hobby, but it turns out that adding ethanol—the main alcohol found in everything from vodka to rum—increased the antioxidant nutrients in colored fruits, according the report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Applying this mode of thinking to say, a screwdriver, you are thus lowering your risk of cancer while getting a keen buzz.

Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul from Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stumbled upon the discovery when trying different ways to preserve fruit. This is a brilliant day in history.

The Goddess Elixir

$99, Isla, Treasure Island

Ingredients

Herradura Seleccion Suprema

Grand Marnier 100-Year

Anniversary

Cointreau

Fresh citrus syrup

Before you scoff at the price, get to know your tequila. The financial kicker is the Seleccion Suprema, one of the most elegant tequilas in production. Made from 100 percent Tequilana Weber Blue Agave, it is one of the most respected names in the industry. After traditional clay ovens cook the agave, it is aged in oak barrels for more than three years to produce one of the most unique, possibly best anejos.

Purists might argue it should be sipped straight, invoking the sin of Dom used for a mimosa or mixing Suntory Hibiki 30-Year-Old whiskey with Coke. But the Goddess travels with good company. The fresh citrus syrup is made on-site from fresh fruit, and the Grand Marnier 100-Year is the best of the Grand Marnier family. Salud.

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"Hump Me or Dump Me."

–You can't deny the simple, romantic elegance in the signature cocktail at David Burke's new restaurant at the Venetian.