The quest to find the world’s greatest margarita is quite Sisyphean—I’m not sure it can ever be completed. Every time a resort’s mixologist tells me he has the best version I’ll ever taste, I sip one the following week that makes me forget the rest. There’s so much creativity and brilliance being cultivated throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and well beyond—even Turkey is making awesome margs—that I’d have to live hundreds of years to try them all.
But if your goal is to just sample several of the best margaritas on the planet, there’s no better place to start than the legendary lobby bar at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa, where the menu boasts an unbelievable 150 versions of this classic cocktail. How do you choose from that many margs? Let’s start simple with this generous sampling of three recipes for National Margarita Day.
Strawberry Basilita
Ingredients:
- 3 strawberries
- 4 leaves of basil
- 1 oz Controy or Cointreau
- 1 oz Lime juice
- 1 oz Simple syrup
- 1.5 oz tequila El Gran Jurado Blanco
How to Make It:
In a mixing glass, muddle the strawberries and the basil. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass rimmed.
Prosecco Margarita
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Casa Dragones Blanco (recommended)
- 2.5 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- 0.5 oz Lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup
How to Make It:
Pour all ingredients in a shaker glass, except chilled Prosecco. Add ice and shake. Pour ingredients into a glass. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with lime slice.
Mezcalita
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz tequila (preferably Tierra Noble Reposado)
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz mezcal
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz orange juice
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- Tajin seasoning for rim
How to Make It:
Pour all ingredients in a shaker glass and muddle together. Add ice and shake. Line the glass rim with Tajin seasoning (if available). Pour ingredients into the glass, and garnish with an orange slice.
