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Tasty Tuesdays: Best Margarita in Austin

15 June 2010 1,618 views View Comments

This Tasty Tuesday’s is an important summertime topic for Austin. Where do you think the best margarita is served in town? Also, how do you like your margarita — what type of tequila, on the rocks or frozen, salt or no salt?

margarita-on-the-rocks-732214David of the Tipsy Texan opened my eyes to the mixes that are often used in your cheaper margarita and I now try to make sure I’m drinking margaritas made with freshly squeezed lime juice. However, I’m still not really sure which of my favorite places use a mix vs. the fresh stuff.

Some of my favorite places to order a margarita include South Congress Cafe, Polvos, Z Tejas, and Vivo. What about you? If you know what ingredients are used, let me know. If you don’t know (I’m not sure I even do in my list above), I’ll call and find out after we gather the most popular spots.

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  • Mikew281
    if you can't tell which restaurants use mix over fresh lime juice, is there really a difference? there are actually mixes that taste as good as lime juice.
  • Fabulous Drinks Austin
    J- I gotta say Gueros is the best! I also have a hankering for my new favorite place TnT, untraditional, but seasonal, they are serving a peach and blueberry varietal, it is fabulous!
  • Linda
    a colleague (born in austin!!) gave me a great (my terms) recipe for margs:
    his personal tequila fav is herradura (but don julio or patron anejo will do)
    citrus liqueur: grand marnier but cointreau also works
    fresh lime juice: no substitutions
    3 parts herradura
    2 parts fresh lime juice
    1 part grand marnier
    if making a frozen marg freeze lime juice in advance
    if you like something a bit sweeter freeze simple syrup ice cubes
    his other suggestion: cut the grand marnier in half & add chambrod for a raspberry kick!

    hope you have an opportunity to give this a try...it is REALLY great!!
  • Lindajbart
    I will have to try this.
    Thanks for sharing, Lin.
  • jodibart
    All you Lindas are SO cute!
  • jodibart
    Linda - This sounds heavenly. Great idea to freeze lime juice in advance and I also love that idea so you always have lime juice handy. Thanks for reminding me in a separate email to always salt the rim. Do you use kosher salt for that?
  • Lsy524
    i do..i rim the glass w/some of the fresh lime juice & then i use a combination of kosher salt & superfine sugar...
  • Lisa
    I was making margs at the tender age of 17 under the tutelage of my San Antonio-reared mom (back when legal drinking age was 16 ;-) Long considered myself a marg connoisseur. I'll admit I work w/Roaring Fork, but even prior, was a fan of their signature RF Margarita on the rocks comprised of Montezuma Gold tequila, triple sec, Old Orchard marg mix, fresh lime juice & a bit of water. Usually don't order frozen, but RF's frozens are some of the best I've ever tried. Also love the top shelf margs at Maudie's. It's 5pm & Fri, so time to mix up a batch!
  • jodibart
    I'd love to try a batch of YOURS too! Thanks for sharing, Lisa :-)
  • Seana
    El Chile Tini is one of my favorite drinks in town. It is so fresh and light, the way I wish all margaritas would be - just tequila, cointreau, and lime juice served on the rocks. With salt please!
  • jodibart
    Nice!
  • Jodi, Z'Tejas has switched from using fresh fruit puree to a yucky syrup : (

    My favorites right now:
    * Agave nectar margarita at Paggi House: just tequila, agave and lime
    * Watermelon margarita at TnT: fresh watermelon puree, agave nectar, tequila and a little lemon. I crave this one weekly!!
  • jodibart
    What is TnT and when are we going? Or Paggi House? Either works!
  • TnT is Tacos and Tequila, the new restaurant/tequila bar at W 5th and Pressler. http://www.tntgrill.com/ Will go here anytime you want!
  • Urmomcooks
    Well I've been in Austin 3 years and still haven't found the perfect drink... Finally I kinda decided that you have to make the version with fresh limes yourself...this drink is a slice of heaven from New Mexico... you can see the post on my blog here if you want...http://likemotherlikedaughters.com/20...
  • William
    Not bad but I fundamentally disagree with OJ in a margarita. Margaritas should be crisp, strong, and tart. Fresh orange juice is great for many drinks but, combined with simple syrup, it renders a margarita too sweet for my tastes. The best margarita is the simplest--1.5 oz silver tequila, .5 oz. cointreau, and the juice of one lime (or more depending on the quality of the limes), shaken and poured over ice.
  • jodibart
    Yum! That sounds like heaven. Thank you for sharing!
  • Ivey Go Lightly
    I agree Jack Allen's MexMartini. A VERY close second is a frozen watermelon at Vivo. Mmmm. Must go there now.
  • jodibart
    mmmm - thanks for weighing in, megan!
  • Afulcher
    Jack Allen's Mexican Martini - with (new) Ambhar platinum tequila. Straight up, with salt, please.
  • jodibart
    Hey Angela - What's the difference between a Mexican Martini and a Margarita - do you know?
  • Carla
    Curra's Avocado Margarita is awesome! Manuels has a good prickly pear Margarita and interesting Watermelon Rita as well. I don't think either uses a mix, but I'm not sure either.
  • jodibart
    Good call! I love Curra's margaritas and have heard good things about Manuels as well.
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