There are some cocktails in the classics catalogue that evoke specific images of time and place, whether it be through its origin story, use in popular culture or even savvy marketing. It’s hard to mention Cosmopolitan without thinking of Carrie & the girls strutting around New York city, a Pina Colada without dreaming of white Caribbean sand (and a certain campy 80s pop song), or an Aperol Spritz without closing your eyes and gazing out over the campi of Northern Italy.
But few cocktails are as intrinsically linked with its spirit or place or origin like a margarita. The origin story for the margarita is shrouded in mystery, but the most accepted story is that a version of it became a popular drink during the American Prohibition era as people drifted over the border to get their kicks. The recipe was refined sometime later in the 1930s, with several different accounts of who and where.
This spicy, citrusy cocktail uses silver tequila as its primary alcohol, a spirit that can only be sourced from Mexico. Added is a sweeter, orange liqueur in the form of Triple Sec; add some fresh lime and you have the basic recipe for one of the most versatile cocktails in the book. This basic recipe can be broken down and rebuilt in many different ways, although the tequila remains constant.
The triple sec can be easily substituted for other fruity liqueurs such as blue curacao or grand marnier; different citrus can be substituted for the lime as well as a mix of different fruit juices, or even vegetables with a strong flavour profile (a jalapeno margarita is one of our all-time favourites and a fantastic version for colder months or to drink with food). Blend it all with some ice and you have a deliciously refreshing summers drink.
The margarita stakes a claim as being the most popular cocktail amongst our clients, and its versatility makes it a great option to create a crowd favourite that is also unique and individual. We created our Niagara margarita for a summer party that wanted a local flavour with tropical influence, so we took local peaches and mixed them with mango. We affectionately called the final product the Niag-arita, and it is still the most positively received drink we have made for any event.
Enjoy as many of these as you can handle as you are sipping by the pool (or want to feel like you are!)
Niag-arita Recipe:
1 oz silver tequila
0.5 oz triple sec
1.5 oz mango nectar
1.5 oz peach nectar
0.5 oz lime juice
Dehydrated peach
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Empty all contents into a rocks glass. Garnish with dehydrated peach.
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Stefan & Amanda The Mobile Mixer