Celebrate National Margarita Day by Making One of These Innovative Takes on the Classic
Words, Tyler Zielinski
Photography Courtesy of, Cazadores, Jordan Hughes, The Seneca, Montelobos, Don Julio + Chamucos
Americans, post-prohibition, had taken to trying different variations on the classic "Daisy" of the 1870s which was made with gum syrup, orange cordial, half a lemon, and a base spirit, then topped with seltzer. The Daisy - a style of cocktail with the aforementioned ingredients - is thought to have been the predecessor to one of the most popular cocktails of the modern era - the Margarita.
The Margarita has taken many shapes and forms as time has progressed (as is the case with a few cocktails, especially sours); some bartenders have disowned the triple sec (or orange cordial) in favor of the popular Tommy’s Margarita (which uses agave syrup as the only sweetener), and some swear that it is an essential ingredient to this classic cocktail. Regardless, both of the versions above no longer include the grotesque, sugar-loaded sour mix that drinkers had to consume during the 1980s and 1990s, so that’s a win in our book. So, to celebrate National Margarita Day on February, 22nd, we have sought out a few must-try Margarita recipes that are perfect to make at home and share with your friends to celebrate the occasion.
Spicy-Grapefruit Margarita by Jordan Hughes
Photography, courtesy of Jordan Hughes
2 oz Mezcal espadín
½ oz Cointreau
¾ oz Red grapefruit
½ oz Lime juice
1 tsp Agave nectar
8 drops Bittermans Hellfire Habanero shrub
Garnish: Grapefruit peel & Sal de Gusano/salt
Method: Use a blend of some Sal de Gusano mixed with rimming salt for the rim of the glass, set glass aside once salted. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake, then strain mix over ice and garnish.
Highland Margarita
Photography, courtesy of Cazadores
2 oz Tequila Cazadores Reposado
1 oz Agave nectar
1 oz Lime juice
4 oz Grapefruit juice
1 Lime wheel
Garnish: Lime, grapefruit slice and salt optional.
Method: In a cocktail shaker with ice combine all the ingredients, shake and serve over rocks, then garnish.
Seneca Spicy Margarita
Photography, courtesy of The Seneca
1 oz Lime juice
½ oz Hot sauce
¼ oz Simple syrup
¾ oz Cointreau
2 oz Tequila
Garnish: Lime wedge; optional chili salt rim
Method: Muddle, lightly, 5-6 cilantro leaves with stems in shaker; shake, strain, pour over ice, and garnish to serve.
Smoke and Fire Margarita
Photography, courtesy of Montelobos
3/4 oz Montelobos Mezcal
3/4 oz Ancho Reyes
3/4 oz Milagro Silver Tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
Garnish: Half blood orange wheel
Method: Using a lime wedge, wet the rim of an old fashioned glass,salt it, and set aside. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker; add ice, shake, and double strain over fresh ice into the glass; garnish and serve.
Don Julio Signature Margarita
Photography, courtesy of Don Julio
1 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco
1/2 oz Agave nectar
1/2 oz Fresh lime juice
Garnish: Lime wedge
Method: Combine Don Julio Blanco, agave nectar and fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker; shake well, and strain contents into rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and add salt if desired.
Jalapeño Avocado Margarita
Photography, courtesy of Chamucos
2 oz. Chamucos Diablo Blanco
1 oz. Agave nectar (cut 50/50 with water)
1 oz. Fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 Avocado, peeled and mashed
2 Slices jalapeño
2 Cilantro sprigs
Garnish: Lime wheel and cilantro
Method: Place ripe avocado, cilantro, and jalapeño slices in a cocktail shaker. Muddle ingredients until thoroughly mashed. Add remaining ingredients to the shaker and shake vigorously, then strain the cocktail into two rocks glasses filled with ice and garnish with cilantro sprig and lime wheels.