11 Delicious Ways to Celebrate National Margarita Day

Pepino Diablo
(Created for La Esquina, NYC, pictured left)

• 1.5 oz Jalapeño infused Tequila
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1 oz Fresh Cucumber Puree
• .5 oz Agave Nectar

Method: Combine and shake. 

Avocado Margarita
(Created by Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs)

• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons tequila blanco
• ¾ cup triple sec
• ¾ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest, divided
• 1 lime wedge
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 8 lime wheels for garnish

Method: Toss salt and 1 tsp. lime zest on a small plate. Rub the rim of each margarita glass with lime wedge and dip into salt mixture. Purée avocado, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, cilantro, cayenne, remaining 1 tsp. lime zest, and 2½ cups ice, preferably crushed, in a blender until smooth. Divide among prepared glasses and garnish each with a lime wheel. Serves 8.

Gilt City of Angels Margarita

• 1.25 oz IXA silver tequila
• .5 oz Fruitlab orange liqueur
• .25 oz Fruitlab hibiscus liqueur
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 4 dashes of Bar Keep lavender bitters

Method: Rim a glass with lavender-infused salt; add ice. Combine ingredients with ice in shaker and shake. Strain over ice and enjoy.

Pineapple Cilantro Margarita

• 2 oz Casamigos Reposado Tequila
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• .5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• .5 oz Cane Sugar
• 8-10 Cilantro Leaves
• Optional: 1/2 Thick Rim Sugar, Cilantro Salt (equal parts)

Method: Combine all ingredients into tin shaker. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Strain into rocks glass. Add ice. Garnish with 2 pineapple leaves. 

Spicy Habanero Margarita
(Created for The Flying Cock, NYC)

• 1.5 oz habanero-infused tequila (made in-house; habaneros steep in tequila for 12 hours)
• ¾ oz agave nectar
• ½ oz lime juice
• ½ oz orange juice
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish (optional)
• Minced habanero for garnish (optional)

Method: Combine habanero-infused tequila, agave nectar, lime juice, orange juice and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake, then strain into 10 oz highball glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a lime wedge and minced habanero, if desired.  

Cardamom Cadillac Margarita  

• 2 oz Casa Noble Crystal
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz cardamom-infused agave nectar
• 3/4 oz of Cardamaro (cardoon liquor)

Method: Rim an old fashioned glass with cardamom kosher salt. Combine first three ingredients with a handful of cracked ice in a Boston shaker. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds until tin gets frosty. Add fresh ice to the cardamom rimmed glass. Strain the contents of the shaker into the salt-rimmed glass over the fresh ice. Float ¾ oz of Cardamaro (cardoon liquor) over the top of the cocktail. Garnish with sliced lime and whole cardamom pods.

The Coconut Smash

• 2 ounces 1800 Tequila Coconut
• 3 slices papaya
• ¼ ounce honey
• Pinch of basil
• 1/4 lime

Method: Add all ingredients to shaker. Shake and strain into highball glass. Garnish with basil sprig.

 Smoked Pear Margarita
(Created by Charlotte Voisey)

• 1.5 oz Milagro Silver
• ¾ oz Montelobos Mezcal
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• ¾ oz Agave Nectar
• ½ Fresh Pear Juice (muddle from ripe fruit)
• 2 Dashes Apple Bitters

Method: Garnish with a dehydrated pear slice and a sprinkle of sea salt. Combine ingredients and shake well.

Herradura Sandia Fresca

• 2 Parts Tequila Herradura Ultra
• 1 Part Fresh Watermelon Juice
• 5 Part Mezcal Joven
• 5 Part Fresh Lime Juice
• 25 Part Agave Nectar
• Watermelon Wedge (Garnish)

Method: Shake all ingredients and strain into rocks glass with large ice cubes with watermelon garnish.

Izze Clem-a-Rita

• 4 oz. Izze Sparkling Clementine
• 1/1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ oz tequila
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ jalepeno diced (plus more for garnish)
• Sea salt
• Ice

Method:  Mix sea salt and cayenne pepper together on a small plate. Rim a margarita glass with salt and cayenne pepper mixture. Add tequila, lime juice, and diced jalapeño to a shaker. Muddle all ingredients in shaker, then add ice. Shake and strain into ice-filled margarita glass. Top with IZZE Sparkling Clementine. Garnish with more jalapeños for an extra kick!

Go Big or Go Home: Smokin’ Volcano Margarita
(Created by Masa Urushido, Saxon + Parole, NYC) 

• 2 parts Tres Agaves Añejo Tequila
• ¾ parts fresh lime juice
• ¼ part smoky simple syrup*
• Lava salt and dried red chili pepper for garnish

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice in rocks glass. Garnish.

(Updated 2/21/17)