Get ready to honor America’s favorite tequila drink, as if you needed a reason, and raise your glass because it’s National Margarita Day, tomorrow February 22nd. Grab the lime, salt and tequila and find out why so many people fall in love with this sweet, tangy, and irresistible cocktail. Named after its inventor, statistics indicate that there are nearly 185,000 margaritas consumed per hour in the United States alone.
Throughout the city restaurants are putting their own twist on our close friend, the margarita. Looking for a spicy variation of the classic visit MexiBBQ, located at 37-11 30th Avenue in Astoria, and see if you can handle the Passion Fruit Jalapeno Margarita. For the ones that like it hot try the Spicy Habenero at Virgil’s Real Barbecue, 152 West 44th Street, which includes habanero infused tequila, grapefruit and lime.
If those drinks seem too hot to handle, head down to Nolita’s Mulberry Project and sip their succulent twist known as the Chill & Smoke. This sweet and savory mix is infused with Thai peppers, tequila and honey, making it a must try this weekend. A.G. Kitchen, 269 Columbus Ave, is following the sweet trend with their Thai Me Down Margarita. Mixing pineapple, Thai basil infused tequila, green chartreuse, and fresh lime it makes you feel like you are on a beach in Mexico rather than in the middle of Manhattan.
One of the best deals of the weekend is at Favela Cubana in Greenwich Village. Starting Saturday at noon throughout midnight margaritas are only $6. Enjoy mango, passion fruit, prickly pear and of course, a classic margarita all day long.
Mixologist and author Brian Van Flandern notes that some of the best margaritas can be made at home, people just need the essential ingredients. Cointreau, tequila and lime juice are the three vital ingredients that make up the margarita. “Cointreau’s orange zest delivers that rich sweetness to the margarita, without comprising its bitter and salty taste,” Van Flandern notes.
Below are some recipes that Van Flandern shared with Manhattan with a Twist:
The Original Margarita
- 2 oz. Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Shake and strain into a Margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and salt
Spicy Margarita
- 2 oz. Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 3/4 oz. Lime Juice
- 2 slices Jalapeno
- Pinch of Cilantro
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Shake and strain into an iced rock glass. Garnish with Cilantro and Jalapeno Spiral
The Berry Margarita
- 1.5 oz. Tequila
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 1/2 oz. Lime Juice
- 1/2 oz. Blackberries
- Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a sugar rimmed rock glass. Garnish with 2 blackberries on a silver toothpick
Twisted Talk: Do you have a favorite type of margarita? How do you plan on celebrating National Margarita Day? Tells us in the comments!
