Bartender's Favourite Cocktail — All About The Margarita
We’re back with the second instalment of the Bartender's favourite cocktail feature! This segment, as always, showcases the best in the Irish trade and their go-to drinks, providing you with inspiration for your home bar or eventually post-Covid for your next night out!
In anticipation of National Margarita Day on the 22nd February, we’re all about the Margarita—and most importantly—how to make our own!
The History
The Margarita is one of the world’s most popular cocktails. But what is a Margarita exactly? Traditionally, a Margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice often served with salt on the rim of the glass. The drink can be served shaken with ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen margarita), or without ice (straight up). The drink is traditionally served in the eponymous margarita glass, a stepped-diameter variant of a cocktail glass or champagne coupe.
But did you know that the Margarita, while hailed as the quintessential Mexican cocktail, might not be Mexican at all! The origin of the Margarita is often disputed but it is most likely that it evolved from one of the most iconic cocktails of the 19th century known as the “Daisy.” The Daisy, which consists of a mix of alcohol (typically brandy), citrus juice, and grenadine served over shaved ice, was popular during the 1930s and 40s but can trace its roots back as early as 1862. At some point, it adopted its Spanish name ‘Margarita’, which means daisy in Spanish. There were many other iterations as the cocktail evolved, but it’s likely someone substituted the brandy for tequila. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Classic
There are a number of variations on the classic, but the standard usually follows the system 10: 4: 3, that is tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, in that order. The perfect Margarita is all about fresh, crisp flavours. A good quality tequila is key to balance the acidity of the lime juice as cheaper tequilas can taste too harsh and spoil the flavours. Also, a good quality triple sec is important to balance the flavours without distracting from the tequila or making it taste too sweet.
Variations
There are a number of experimental, playful, and sometimes unexpected variations on the Margarita such as frozen Margaritas, spicy variations made with jalapenos, prickly pear, and fruit additions such as with coconut and blueberries or strawberries.
Be sure to watch our video on how to make the perfect thirst-quenching Margarita with Luke Crowley Holland, General Manager from the Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder HERE or by clicking on the image above!
Our recommendation
We recommend using Patron Resposado as the key base for this cocktail along with Cointreau. Patron Reposado is an award-winning tequila distilled using 100% Blue Weber Agave. The spirit is aged in oak barrels for over two months creating a Tequila that mixes well in a variety of cocktails.
Equipment
Mezclar 25/35/50ngs Stainless Steel Jigger
Mezclar Strainer Stainless Steel
18oz Mezclar Tin / 28oz Boston Can Set
Coupe cocktail glass
Ingredients
15ml Simple Syrup
1 lime wedge
Salt
Cubed ice
Steps
1. Sprinkle a few teaspoons of salt over the surface of a small plate or saucer. Rub one wedge of lime along the rim of a tumbler and then dip it into the salt so that the entire rim is covered.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau. Shake for about 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
3. Double strain the mix into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Serve with a wedge of lime.
A great tasting cocktail if we may say so ourselves and one that is incredibly easy to make at home! The full list of ingredients and utensils are available for purchase at the Irish Drink Shop — an online drink shop that strives to deliver unusual, innovative drinks directly to your door. Be sure to browse our full range of tequilas and mixers on our site if you wish to mix up the recipe!
