A BETTER MARGARITA

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 5, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

         As the owners of our own restaurant in La Paz for over a decade and then living in Baja for almost 30 years, we’ve seen a lot of margaritas made and consumed.

         It’s interesting to note that most of the locals won’t touch tequila or margaritas.  When I’ve offered it to them at our restaurant, they (perhaps wisely) wag their fingers at me and smile.  “No, gracias!”

         I think they know better and I also think they enjoy watching the gringos go at it.  I mean, if you’re going to Mexico, it’s your “go-to” drink.  

         Seemingly, as soon as folks walk off the plane, vacation has not started until they have one of those high-priced margaritas served in a plastic cup at the bar just outside the terminal.  Am I right?

         “Whoo-hooo, Honey! We’re in Mexico.  Hot dang!”

         I’d estimate that at our restaurant, 95% of the margaritas are ordered by tourists.  Personally, I think we make a pretty good margarita.

         We cut our own limes.  We make our own lime juice (no bottled mix).  Our tequila does not come from a plastic jug behind the bar.  We cut our own fruits and make our own syrups.

         Just like anything else, good fresh ingredients result in a better product.

         But, in the spirit of “research and development”, not to mention it’s a great way to actually write-off the cost of drinking margaritas, my wife and I have gone to numerous places to “test drive” margaritas. 

         Here’s the deal.  We go to someplace that’s known for their margaritas and as a tourist destination…Cabo San Lucas…Puerta Vallarta…Maui…San Diego…San Antonio Texas…and others.

         All in the name of “research and development,” as mentioned.

         We do our own version of a margarita crawl. 

         The purpose is not get drunk and buzzed.  However, I will admit it is sometimes a happy by-product of our in-depth research!  We go from bar-to bar at supposedly the places with the best margarita reputation.

         We ask for their house margarita. 

         We take a sip or two.  If we don’t like it, we pay for it and walk away without finishing it.  Move onto the next place. 

         And so-forth-and-so on.

         Spoiler alert.  Here it comes.

It is amazing that some of the places that are known to be great margarita-makers literally serve absolute JUNK!  Most places, we honestly can’t finish them.

         But tourists don’t know any better. 

         They buy margaritas the size of birdbaths or chug them with their chips and that’s pretty much the extent of it. Or it’s what happens to be in their hands sitting at the pool bar all afternoon.

         Admittedly, there are a few places where Jill and I take a sip and then look at each other.  And another sip to make sure.  Surprise!  OK…not bad at all.  There’s some decent stuff out there.

         But, again as mentioned before, it starts with the ingredients.

         If volume selling to tourists or catering to the “buy-one-get-the-2^nd margarita- free” crowd is the intent, the customers aren’t going to be very discriminating. 

         They have no idea nor do they really care that they’re drinking a mix or that the tequila comes from a jug.  It’s got ice.  It’s got salt.  We are having a large fun time!

         “Let’s party, Baby.  Afterwards let’s go buy a sombrero and one of those sarape blankets and a hammock to bring back to Montana.”

         Honestly, nothing wrong with that.  Vacation fun is vacation fun.  Good on them!  But, you get the idea.

         If you really want a better margarita, here’s a few tips. 

          Yes, it will cost a tad more.  So figure that.

         For one,  ask for real lime juice.  Not “Jose’s Fiesta Lime Juice” in a bottle or jug.  Get the real stuff if at all possible.  It will make a tremendous difference.

         Ask what kind of tequila they’re making your margarita with.  In fact, ask to see the bottle! 

         There are 3 kinds of tequilas. 

         Silver (Plata) is clear.  It has not been aged or not more than 2 months.

         Resposada is slightly amber.  Reposada means “rested” and it has been aged in a barrel up to one year. 

         Anejo means “old.” This tequila has been sitting for awhile aging for more than a year and is much darker.

         The older the tequila, the richer and more full-bodied the taste.

         That doesn’t mean it’s the best for tequila.

          Personally, we feel that the Silver/ Clear plata tequila is best for mixing cocktails.  It’s got a clean flavor that blends nicely with other ingredients.

         I like the Reposada and Anejo in a shot glass or snifter.  It’s meant to be sipped or I especially like it with a cigar at sunset!

         While checking out the bottle, make sure it’s REAL tequila!  The real stuff must be from the blue agave plant and, by law, may ONLY be produced in the regions of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.

         I’m not being snobby here. 

         Good tequila does NOT have to be expensive to make a good margarita.  Like wines or beers there are so many great and inexpensive brands. 

         A fancy bottle does not necessarily mean a good tequila.  Conversely a good tequila doesn’t have to be in a fancy bottle either.

         However, like most liquors, the more expensive sipping tequilas do taste better and smoother.  But, that’s OK because I’m not using the good stuff to do slammers or shots with buddies!

         Life’s too short for bad margaritas!  So are vacations.

That’s my story!

Jonathan