"margarita" news and stories

It's peak avocado season, but even the most die-hard guac lover can get a little weary of the usual recipe. Here, are three ways to kick it up a notch.

Cinco de Mayo is upon us and what better way to celebrate than with a margarita in your hand. While homemade margarita -- fresh lime juice and all -- is the preferable way to go, sometimes a lack of time and/or a need for quantity has us reaching for a mix. This past weekend, we sat down with good friends, six mixers and a blender to determine the best one.

All of the margaritas were blended with ice and rated on a scale of one to five for sweetness, sourness and the "syrup" factor (in our experience, the more syrupy the mix, the less authentic the flavor, probably due to sugar/corn syrup). We skipped salting the glass rims so we could taste the mix clearly.

So which one of these mixes can actually pass for the real thing? Our picks after the jump.

Happy National Margarita Day!

Surely you've encountered the usual varieties of the margarita -- whether straight up, on the rocks or slushed, with a salted or unsalted rim, the standard drink usually takes a base of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. And while the classics are eternally refreshing and tasty, like photographer Beurremanie, we like a little more spike with these wintertime renditions.

If you're feeling adventurous, try these unique margarita recipes yourself -- or head over to your favorite happy hour joint today.

• Ancho-cranberry margarita (pictured above)
• Beetroot margarita
• Ruby red grapefruit margarita
• Jean-Georges Vongerichten's ginger margarita
• Cranberry margarita
• Strawberry-basil margarita
• Mango-cilantro margarita

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Beetroot Margarita. Photo: LeNell Smothers

Alabama-born LeNell Smothers defines herself first and foremost as a bartender, but she's been called many things -- most recently, the proprietress of LeNell's liquor store. She's owned her own whiskey label called Red Hook Rye and been recognized by her home state as an honorary Colonel. Other interests include gin, sin and men.

Hotel bars have the potential to serve as a haven while you are on vacation, but often they are just places to get ripped off for a mediocre drink. When you're lucky enough to happen upon that truly special hotel bar where no detail has been overlooked, the sticker shock on the cocktail menu might just melt away into your highballs.

I had the quintessential hotel bar experience in London's lovely Connaught Hotel. The barmen were as beautiful as the surroundings, but the drinks were the showstoppers. After the most divine martini service ever, the barman suggested I try a margarita.

It's only July 3rd and my foodie forefathers have already dished out plenty of Independence Day eats in such posts as American Flag Cakes and Delicious Foods for July 4th. But let's be honest: There is no food or cake that can rival the great American tradition of getting rip-roaring drunk. Even Uncle Sam's cheeks wear a warm flush!

But tradition aside, I do not condone drinking to excess, so I have devised a list of patriotic cocktails that are too lovely to chug. In the words of the great George Washington as he crossed the Delaware: Take it slow, kids, take it slow.

1. Starfruit and Stripes Daiquiri - The fine folks at MaisonBisson came up with this capital idea: Take a traditional strawberry daiquiri, top it with whipped cream and blueberries, then garnish with a slice of starfruit. Ta da! Liquid flag!
2. Red, White and Blue Sangria - Punctuate some white sangria with blueberries and raspberries for that good ol' U.S. of A. color scheme.
3. Boston Pops Martini - This Massachusetts-made martini celebrates the famed Boston Pops' national independence day broadcast. The true fireworks begin with the rim that's dipped in - what else? - Pop Rocks!
4. Red, White and Blue Shot - Although there are a number of variations on this popular Fourth of July shooter, the key is a careful pour to ensure those colors don't run.
5. Patriotic Margarita - The arbiters of blue vodka put their hued booze to good use with this layered margarita: HPNOTIQ 'rita, topped with strawberry 'rita, dressed up with a coconut rim.
6. Red, White and Blue beers - According to the results of this poll, beer is the bev of choice for cookouts. So if you want to keep with the patriotic theme, stock up on PBR (in the unmistakable red, white, and blue can) or for something a bit classier, invest in an assortment of Chimay Red, Chimay White, and Chimay Blue.

If you are declaring an independence from alcohol, whip up one of these constitutions:

1. Patriotic Tea Punch - Try out this tart punch that boasts an iced tea base, pomegranate juice, and gobs of fresh fruit.
2. Bomb Pop Mocktail - This red, white, and blue pousse-cafe layers cranberry juice, blue Gatorade, and diet 7-up to mimic everyone's favorite patriotic popsicle.

Have a festive Fourth, everyone!