Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Perfect Margarita

Nothing beats a good margarita, its limey, tequila goodness, spiked with a little citrus - salt or no salt, blended, over ice, or straight up - quenching thirst and bringing on a little buzz with each delicious sip. If you're me, it's the perfect summer beverage, and if you're not me, it's because you've not found a marg that suits you.

Margaritas are to summer (and for some, every season), like the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the Kremlin is to Moscow or the Great Wall is to China. You simply can't identify with those places minus such landmarks, like you'll never really know what it means to enjoy summer without a good margarita.

So, what constitutes a good margarita? The criteria are somewhat subjective, as there are those who like flavored margs, like strawberry or mango, and some people like theirs sugary sweet, while others prefer tart or bitter drinks. But, there are some basic guidelines to follow when in search of the perfect marg.

First of all, use a little common sense. Ordering a margarita at a restaurant that serves, say Thai food, is probably not a good option. Yes, there are exceptions, but typically, you’ll raise some eyebrows at the bar, as maybe the fifth person ever who’s ordered a marg in such a place. Margaritas are super basic, but there are bartenders who can completely screw them up, so unless it looks like the bar is equipped to handle your order (that means, no margarita mixes), go with a beer instead.

That leads to our next lesson, which is ingredients. While some people really enjoy pre-made mixes, unless you’re in a pinch, don’t order a marg unless you know that the bar is using fresh ingredients or making their own mixers. Why pay a bartender to make your drink if you can do the same thing at home with a little Cuervo mixer from the liquor store?

The best margaritas usually come from the bar’s proprietary margarita mix. They may or may not tell you the exact ingredients, but you can be pretty sure that if a restaurant is taking the time to create their own special mixer, they mean business when it comes to margaritas.

Finally, ask around. Everyone knows a margarita connoisseur, and this person will probably be more than happy to point you in the direction of their favorite marg.

In Boulder, this usually means the Rio. Ask anyone in town where to get a good margarita, and they’ll, without hesitation, tell you about the legendary drinks at this famous Boulder establishment. Known for being exceptionally strong, they have a marg to suit every taste – flavored, frozen, on the rocks, etc. They even have mini margs so you can try out a few different varieties.

Another go-to margarita can be found at Tahona. This tequila bar features a full menu of margaritas and an even bigger list of tequilas. Made from fresh ingredients, these are margaritas in their truest form.

Other good margs can be found at Zolo, Illegal Pete’s, Mamacitas, Terrace Maya (margarita coupon) and Casa Alvarez. And, though not part of the happy hour lineup, one of Boulder’s best margs can be found at Efrain’s on east Arapahoe. This hole in the wall has a loyal local following, most of whom would argue that an Efrain’s marg ranks among the world’s best. Try a Premier and see what you think.

Have a favorite marg not on this list? Share the margarita love by adding a comment to this posting.

Cheers!

4 comments:

CUSkiBum said...

The Horney Marg at Efrain's is off the charts.

Anonymous said...

You forgot Centro Latin Kitchen - their grapfruit marg and casa coin are delicious!

Anonymous said...

Tahona is awful. I have been there four times hoping that it would get better... IT IS WEAK SAUCE. they must water down their tequila, because after two i felt like i drank a sprite

Anonymous said...

Efrains all the way...although I hate piping up about it bc every year more and more masses get turned on to the place..there's a 45 min. wait on Mon night! Go with the Horney or White Lightning!