A timeless classic, the Margarita is synonymous with summer fiestas and cocktail bars the world over. As many classics are, the Margarita of old is a perfect recipe, combining flavours of tequila, lime, cointreau and salt. They can be frozen, shaken, stirred, spicy, smokey and just about anything you can set your mind to. If cocktails are art, then margaritas are the canvas.
Agave drinks are so ancient, they can be dated back to 300 AD! Back then, they were a ritual drink, as were most fermented drinks of the time, but these are stories for another time. Tequila reared its world-changing head over a thousand years later, and it is the Margarita that took tequila global in the mid 20th century, cementing its place in drinks history, and onto the menu of every restaurant, dive bar and high end cocktail bar.
In 2023, I won the UK El Recuerdo Mezcal Competition with a Margarita twist, so I know a thing or two about the Marg. Here is the winning cocktail, and below it, five more tasty twists on the Margarita that you can easily try at home.
What’s up, Guac?
Some of the worlds’ most interesting cocktails take inspiration from culinary staples and this delightfully balanced take on a classic Marg does just that. Guacamole is a staple food in Mexico, where all Tequila and Mezcal is made. This drink takes the flavours of Mexico's most famous mole - cilantro, basil and cucumber - to make a devilishly refreshing summer cocktail.
Ingredients:
60ml or 2oz Mezcal (El Recuerdo)
25ml or 0.75oz Lime
25ml or 0.75oz Cilantro Syrup
10ml or 0.25oz Agave Syrup
Bar Spoon of Mexican Jalapeno Chilli Salsa (Habanero Tabasco works if you don’t have a local chilli shop)
Method:
Throw all the ingredients into a shaker, strain into a coupe glass (or whatever you like to sip your Margaritas from) and garnish with your prettiest edible flowers
TOP TIP: Don’t be scared, the syrup is so simple, no mixology required, simply throw the following ingredients into a blender, sieve the pulp out and you’ll be ready to go!
25g Coriander
15g Basil
50g Cucumber
100g Sugar
100g Water
Now that you know we mean business, here are five more stunning Margarita variations…
The Best Margarita for Spice Lovers: El Pepino (Spicy Margarita)
The ‘El Pepino’ (Spanish for ‘The Cucumber’) is a modern classic that has captured the imagination of bartenders all over. It’s rare that a twist on a classic comes along and so quickly becomes a staple in the bar scene. Fresh ingredients are the key to the El Pepino, cucumber and jalapenos directly in the cocktail shaker. No need to muddle, just shake hard! This refreshing, spicy and salty concoction will be a hit at your next summer fiesta!
Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
2 Cucumber slices
Fresh Jalapeno (start small, scale up to preferred spice level)
Method:
Add ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass. If you’re feeling fancy, rim the tajin for extra effect. Use the leftover pressed limes to wet the glass rim and sprinkle the tajin around the intended area.
The Best Margarita for Floral Lovers: Santa Muerta
From the mind of cocktail wizard and mixologist, Calum Anderson, this simple margarita variation is a bouquet of flavours. Equally sweet and sour with a fresh, fragrant floral nose and a simple ingredient list that can be picked up from any supermarket! You can buy yourself flowers, but I bet you’d rather have one of these…
Ingredients:
35ml or 1oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Violet Liqueur
25ml or .75oz Elderflower Cordial
25ml or .75oz Lime Juice
25ml or .75oz Apple Juice
Method:
Add ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake, strain over cubed ice, garnish with edible flowers.
The Best Margarita for the Coffee Obsessive: Muerto Bali Hai
Taking a legendary Tiki drink and colliding it with a Margarita sounds like a recipe for disaster or a delicious miracle. The Muerta Bali Hai is the latter. It might sound obscure, but the tropical combination of coffee, pineapple, lemon and tequila come together to create an indulgent drink that will delight coffee and tiki lovers alike. If you enjoy unique drinks, this is certainly one for you.
Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Kahlua
25ml or 0.75oz Lemon Juice
50ml or 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
Method:
Add ingredients in a shaker, shake, strain over ice in a hi-ball glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves for that cheeky tiki look.
The Best Margarita for Summer Time: Frozen Coconut Mangorita
Sipping frozen margs on a hot summer day is the perfect way to enjoy tequila, however, the addition of mango builds on this perfection, adding a bright tartness that balances with the sweetness of coconut cream leaving you wanting more. Don’t be scared by the blender, it’s super easy to whip up multiple mangoritas at once just by doubling the measurements and throwing it all in the blender cup. This cocktail is bound to impress guests and not leave you wasting valuable party time by mixing complicated drinks.
Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
25ml or 0.75oz Cointreau
15ml or 0.5oz Coconut Cream
70g or ½ a Mango
Method:
Throw the ingredients into a blender with a scoop of crushed ice and blitz until silky smooth.
TOP TIP: If you don’t have crushed ice, beat some cubed ice in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until you DO have crushed ice.
The Best Margarita for the Smoky Lovers: Mezcalita
Mezcal is the fastest growing spirit in the world, with more and more punters turning to the ancient agave spirit as their base for the Margarita. It may be the most simple drink on this list, but if you haven’t tried Mezcal before, this is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest and most unique spirits in the world.
Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Mezcal
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
Method:
Add ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass.
For those, like me who can’t get enough of the Margarita, follow this link for More Stunning Margarita Variations…
By Miley Kendrick
