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3 twists on a traditional margarita that will turn you into a tequila fan
Nothing can quite compare to the zesty appeal of the margarita. Ahead of 2023 Pride, we’ve dreamt up a trio of rainbow twists on the classic marg.
Adored the world over, it’s not hard to see why so many different people and places have tried to lay claim to the original margarita. But it’s largely agreed that the kudos belongs to Tommy’s Place Bar in Juarez, Mexico, where the tipple was whipped up by Francisco ‘Pancho’ Morales back in 1942. Regardless, it’s the margarita’s winning combo of salty-sour flavours that has helped it become the drink of the moment, with tequila sales and #tequila on a strong and steady rise even today. Traditionally the marg mixes equal portions of blanco tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime, but there’s nothing stopping you from giving this crowd-pleasing cocktail extra oomph with an unexpected twist, whether that’s spicy jalapeño or tart grapefruit.
How to make a jalapeño margarita
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1 tbs sea salt flakes
- 1 tsp finely grated lime zest
- 1 lime wedge
- Ice cubes, to serve
- 40ml Espolon Tequila Blanco
- 20ml Cointreau liqueur
- 60ml lime juice
- 2 tbs honey
- 1 small jalapeño chilli, thinly sliced
Method
- Combine the salt and lime zest on a small plate. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a serving glass. Dip in the salt mixture to coat, then fill with ice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, honey and half the jalapeño. Shake until well combined. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with extra chilli.
How to make a paloma margarita
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1 tbs pink salt flakes
- 2 Ruby Red grapefruit wedges
- Ice cubes, to serve
- 40ml Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
- 1 tbs Cointreau liqueur
- 60ml Ruby Red grapefruit juice
- 1 tbs vanilla-flavoured syrup
Method
- Place salt on a small plate. Run one grapefruit wedge around the rim of a serving glass and dip into the salt and fill with ice. Set aside.
- Place the tequila, Cointreau, grapefruit juice, vanilla syrup and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake until well combined. Strain into the glass with extra ice and garnish with grapefruit.
Tip Look for vanilla-flavoured syrup in the tea and coffee aisle.
How to make a frozen watermelon margarita
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 50g chopped watermelon
- 1 tbs sea salt flakes
- 1 lime wedge
- 40ml El Jimador Blanco
- 1 tbs Cointreau liqueur
- 60ml lime juice
- 1 tbs caster sugar
- Ice cubes, to serve
- 2 mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1 small watermelon wedge, to serve
Method
- Place the chopped watermelon on a tray and freeze for 4 hours or until firm. Place the salt on a small plate. Run the lime wedge around the rim of the serving glass and dip into the salt to coat. Place in the freezer to chill.
- Place the watermelon, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, sugar and ½ cup ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Add mint and stir to combine. Pour into the prepared glass and garnish with a watermelon wedge. Serve immediately.
Don’t forget to decorate the rim
You can’t serve a margarita without a salt rim! Sure it looks great, but this added flourish serves a serious flavour purpose. Salt is said to intensify the existing sweet and sour flavours that are present in the cocktail, making the margarita experience even more delicious. The beauty of the margarita rim is that its flavours are just as interchangeable as the cocktail’s ingredients themselves – sprinkle on some chilli if you’re a spice fanatic (try tangy Mexican tajin), or swap it for sugar if you’re more of a sweet tooth.
Arm yourself with the margarita essentials
A quality tequila makes all the difference when it comes to a margarita, so every bar cart deserves a decent bottle. As well as the smooth-tasting, multi award winning Olmeca Altos Plata, try Espolon Tequila Blanco, a full-bodied Mexican favourite that’s handcrafted from 100% pure blue agave in the celebrated San Nicolas distillery in the Los Altos region of Jalisco Espolon Blanco. Or El Jimador Blanco, a fresh and zesty take on tequila that’s made with 100% hand-harvested blue Weber agave and double distilled for extra sparkling clarity.
There are plenty of new takes on the traditional spirit that are just as worthy of your attention. Turn to Vivir Reposado for a tequila blanco that is rather unconventionally aged in American oak bourbon barrels to enhance the earthy notes of the agave and adds the indulgent flavours of vanilla, caramel and melted butter. This is the kind of drink designed to make a decadent take on the margarita, or to be enjoyed simply with ginger beer or ginger ale.
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