Mexican Theme Dinner Party & Tablescape

I love all things that have to do with celebrating Cinco de Mayo – the food, the decorations, the margaritas! It’s a fantastic holiday for a themed dinner party.

But of course a Mexican dinner theme is perfect all year long. It’s got some of the best party menu ideas around!

I used some traditional party decorations and created this festive Mexican tablescape with unique touches. The result is this fun-filled inspiration for hosting your own Cinco de Mayo celebration or Mexican fiesta dinner any time of the year.

If you want to create a casual cocktail gathering you’re going to want to see this Mexican fiesta happy hour party. Or, invite some friends over for tacos & tequila with our cool tequila tasting flight. You’re sure to have a fantastic time!

Mexican Theme Tablescape 

Create a festive table setting with these ideas. You want to make it colorful and festive!

Use a traditional serape for your table runner. It instantly sets the scene with an iconic symbol of Mexico.

Find colorful plates with a southwestern vibe!

Color is a major component of the table. Add a different color napkin for each guest or use a complementary theme pattern.

Creative place card tags add an unexpected element to the table. You can write names directly onto a jalapeno pepper with a gold marker. Alternate place settings with mini sombrero hats and write names on the brim.

Centerpiece Ideas

Design a centerpiece with inexpensive flowers in red, yellow and green. Leave some room on the table for chips and salsa, just like a restaurant.

Why not place colorful maracas at the ends of the table. Guests can have fun shaking them and using them for photo props.

Use a collection of colorful bottles in various heights and shapes to hold flowers. Cluster them together for a bigger impact than if they were spread out across the table.

Add potted cacti for an authentic southwestern touch. Place them on either side of the flower centerpiece.

Themed Cocktails

There may not be a better party and cocktail combination than Cinco de Mayo and Margaritas. Here are some great recipes to serve as a signature party drink, including some sangria recipes. Don’t forget to have some Mexican beer on hand too!

• Try this delicious sparkling peach margarita for a refreshing twist on a classic.
• You wont believe how easy and delicious this pitcher of beer margaritas is.
• This grapefruit margarita has some unique flavor infusions. If you like a regular marg, you should love this.
• Serve your guests something interesting and new for a signature drink. This light mezcal margarita is a mix of sweet and smoky flavors.
• For an elegant twist, mix up some sweet & smoky prosecco cocktails. One of my favorites!
• This mezcal with pineapple & grapefruit cocktail might become your new go-to for a fiesta party. It’s sweet and smoky and fantastic!
• This pitcher of white peach sangria is a crowd pleaser, always.
• If you want to serve a more classic style, try this delicious red sangria.

Fiesta Menu

Who doesn’t love Mexican food? I could probably eat it 6 days a week if I had my way. Here’s a simple menu to serve for a Mexican themed dinner party.

Appetizers

• Start with my favorite Mexican layer dip for tons of flavor, or serve cowboy salsa for a Tex-Mex twist.
• You can add these easy baked jalapeno poppers with cheddar, bacon, and cream cheese filling.
• Make some tasty chicken taco cups to serve while guests are sipping on cocktails. Guests just love these!
• Baked sausage empanadas are easy and scrumptious. You can prep them ahead and then bake them when you’re ready to serve.
• Chips and salsa are a party staple for the table. Make it homemade if you want, but I like to buy salsa and guacamole from our favorite restaurant. It saves time and you know you’ll love it.

Main Course

• Serve up a taco salad entrée and serve it on the table, family style. This one I made with a bed of mixed greens, ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes and onions, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, and drizzled with lime vinaigrette. Delicious and easy!
• These cheesy chicken tostadas with creamy poblano sauce are SO good for an entrée or appetizer.
• Make slow cooker southwestern style chili and serve it over nachos, or in a bowl with toppings.
• This Mexican pasta bake incorporates pasta for a mashup of flavors.
• Another unique dish is Mexican pizzas or black bean and chorizo flatbread.
• Set up a self-serve bar to make burrito bowls. Guests can add what they like.

Sides

• This easy corn salad can be made ahead for easy entertaining, and has fantastic flavor.
• This Doritos corn salad is unconventional but is so good! You have to try it!
• Add some black beans and rice or Mexican charro beans for a traditional side dish.

Dessert

• Serve something cool and creamy like bite-size mini cheesecakes.
• For a carefree option serve Mexican wedding cookies, or churros with dipping sauce and vanilla ice cream.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to these chocolate mini bundt cakes to make a themed version.

Tequila Tasting

A good theme party has an activity or interactive component to it. This Mexican party is the perfect occasion to host a tequila tasting.

• What a great idea {if I do say so my self} to add a flight of mini tequilas to taste and compare! I’m not talking about shots here; just a sampling of some high quality tequila brands.
• Use mini votive glasses or shot glasses and rim them with salt and add a lime wedge to each glass. Just as with wine and beer, start your tasting with clear tequila first and then move on to the darker tequila. For best taste make sure the tequila is very cold. We store it in the freezer.
• An alternative tasting could be to have three varieties made by one brand. For instance Cabo Wabo has Blanco, Respado, and Anejo you can taste side by side.
• You can buy full size bottles if you want but I think the minis are so darn cute! Plus you set them in order to pour so it’s a no-brain’er to know which one you’re tasting.
• Finally, set up a fun photo area with props as included in these stylish cinco de mayo party ideas. After all those tequila tastings you’ll be more than ready to take photos and share on social media!

Don’t you think these ideas would make a fun Mexican themed dinner party? Let me know what you think of these ideas in the comments below!