Tequila, orange liqueur and lime with salt on the rim are all you need, but these restaurants elevate the cocktail experience.
PUESTO
Los Olivos Marketplace
Known for its creative Mexico City-inspired crispy cheese tacos, handsome Puesto offers all manner of creative margaritas, too, from the hibiscus-imbued Pink Cadillac to the you-choose-the-spice-level Hot Sauce. The tequila flight includes Puesto’s own Código Rosa. And here’s an idea to toast: Choose one of the two dozen sipping tequilas, add $3 to make it a margarita or $5 to make it a Cadillac.
TACO ROSA
The Market Place
Spectacularly presented margaritas – on the rocks or blended, your choice – pair with Mexico City cuisine at Taco Rosa. The Coconut – with 1800 Coconut Tequila, cream of coconut and pineapple – is a party in a glass, and the glass is color-spangled stemware. A blended Mango Chamoy arrives in a heavyweight goblet yet goes down as easy as a Slurpee. You add the Grand Marnier float to your Arette Tequila Cadillac.
JAVIER’S
Irvine Spectrum Center
The venue and its newly expanded patio are gorgeous; the cuisine is regional Mexican; margaritas are served on the rocks. Top of the list: the golden-hued Javier’s, with Patrón Reposado Tequila and Grand Marnier; the Marcos Mexican, with Casa Dragones Silver Tequila and Cointreau, is its brighter counterpart. Fruit versions might feature pomegranate or guayabo. The tequila selection is extensive.
