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Know Your Margarita
What makes a margarita truly great?
A
good drink is often the best way to escape from everyday chaos. Whether you
are raising your glass to great accomplishment or to unwind from a hard day at
work, at the end of the day you want a great drink...not just an ordinary one.
So, often, when confronted with an extensive drink menu, it is easy to run for
what is convenient or what looks least intimidating as the pressure of a server
or bartender seems to increase with each second as you look at the menu (relax,
we just want to help).
To
break down some of the intimidation with ordering a margarita, here is some
advice for what to look for when you are ordering a margarita that fits your
taste and takes you away to your special place:
A
basic margarita consists of three ingredients:
1.
Tequila
2.
Orange Liqueur
3.
Lime Juice or Sour Mix
The
key to make this simple recipe something truly special comes making sure your
ingredients are the best for what you want to do.
Choosing
tequila:
Tequila
is the personality of your drink, therefore, you want tequila with bite and some
edge. This leaves you with the choice of a white (Blanco) or Reposado (tequila
that has rested in oak for several months). Look for tequilas that are made out
of 100% Agave Nectar. Otherwise, the tequila is mixed with added sugar, which
is often credited with the headache the next day.
Anejo tequilas are reserved
for sipping and savoring after the meal. Our favorite at Lupita's is Blue
Nectar Silver.
Following,
you have the choice of the orange base of your drink. For lower shelf options,
a basic triple sec is adequate, just remember the alcohol content is low and
they are usually very sweet.
As you go higher end, the choice is often between
Cointreau and Grand Marnier. Cointreau is a type of triple sec with higher
alcohol content. Grand Marnier, on the other hand, is made from cognac and is
twice as sweet as Cointreau. When you look for something a little tart: Grand
Marnier. When you are looking for something smooth, choose Cointreau.
Classically,
lime juice is used for a margarita, however, limes are very expensive now, and
we find them to be too sour which can upset both your taste buds and your
stomach.
We go for a nice sweet and sour that we make. We make sure our sour
mix gives the margarita a nice sour taste that is not watery. We also make sure
it does not leave a waxy taste in your mouth after. You do not want to feel
like you are drinking a Warhead Sour Candy but having a refined drink.
The
variations on the margarita are endless but the basics are always the same.
Knowing to ask for good tequila and your choice for the orange or sweet base of
the margarita will surely help you find your favorite margarita. And, as
always, Drink Responsibly.
While the business of our kitchen is
making food hot, our bar's focus is keeping drinks cool. Ice is almost a
universal ingredient for most drinks because it does so much for the flavor of
the drink. 
