Two of the biggest drinking holidays in our country celebrate events of other countries – St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. We are okay with that. What we are not okay with is the improper celebration of those holidays with inappropriate imbibing. Yes, we have laws of libation and we are not afraid to enforce them.
We told you on St. Patrick’s Day: If God had meant for you to drink green beer He would have made it green. There are some similar rules for Cinco de Mayo and they apply to the much-abused margarita.
TEQUILA AND MARGARITA DRINKING RULES
Rule number 1 – There is no reason to settle for a margarita made from a mix. None. Fresh is the only way to go and there are plenty of great places here in town to enjoy an amazingly fresh margarita.
Rule number 2 – Go with good tequila. Treat yourself to a margarita made with a nice, top shelf tequila such as Herradura Estate, Cazadores Resposado, Sauza Tres Generaciones or Reposado, Don Julio, or maybe an Cabo Wabo. However, it is my personal belief that you don’t waste an expensive Patron on a margarita. Just an opinion.
Rule number 3 – Pace yourself. Almost everyone has a bad tequila experience story. It usually involves shooting tequila. Bad tequila. Pace yourself. If not for your sake, then for the rest of us who have to endure your drunken state.
Rule number 4 – Don’t be the idiot who asks for the tequila with the worm. Tequila is not bottled with a worm. Only Mezcal is bottled with a worm. They are not the same thing and should not be confused. The Mexican standards authority (NOM) prohibits adding insects or larvae to tequila. (Email us if you want the whole story on the types of worms, coloring, and larva facts associated with Mezcal. We love to talk insects.)
Rule number 5 – Don’t end the night with tequila. The agave gods will punish you and it will not be quick and swift. And it will most surely involve vomiting and various acts that you will regret for years to come.
WHO HAS GREAT MARGARITAS?
Now that you know a few of the rules, where can you get a fresh, handcrafted margarita in Atlanta? There are many great spots, but we will mention a few of our favorites here. And if you have a particular favorite, feel free to comment and let us know!
AGAVE
Agave serves up 10 choices of top shelf margaritas. Try the Herradura Estate Top Shelf margarita with Herradura Estate Silver, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice and sour. Or endulge in the Peachtree Margarita with Cabo Wabo Resposado, Gran Marnier, Peach Schnapps, fresh lime and sour.
POZOLE
Pozole offers one of the largest tequila selection in the Highlands. Over 50. Everything from Corazone Silver, to Caadores Resposado, to Gran Centenario Anejo and Don Julio 1942 premium. So a perfect margarita is no problem. You have a choice of a dozen or more variations. The sour mix is all house-made fresh and the lime juice is freshly squeezed. But if you are of a spicy nature, we suggest you try the Jalapeno Margarita made with fresh jalapeno juice.
ZOCALO
This is your tequila heaven. Zocalo has the largest collection of tequila in the southeast, offering 650 plus different tequilas. You will find a large selection of tequila Joven (young), blanco (white), resposado (rested), and anejo (aged). Needless to say, you want a top shelf margarita? This is the place to get it.
ORIGINAL EL TACO
Over 50 tequilas are on the shelf here – from blanco to anejo, and a few mescals thrown in to boot! The Original Margarita uses freshly squeezed citrus and is on the rocks. For the strong of heart, take on the El Big Boy Margarita! The combination of 1800 Silver 100 proof, orange liqueur, and fresh citrus sour will make your night!
NAVA
The margaritas here are extraordinary and consistent. Made with Sauza Commemorativo this margarita is fresh and flawless. The hot selling prickly pear margarita is made with cactus pear juice and Sauza Gold tequila. Nava promises more variations for the summer menu.
MAKE YOUR OWN AT HOME
The margarita is hands down the most popular cocktail in the United States. For the bottom line on a classic margarita, we turn to Dr. Cocktail, Ted Haigh, author of Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. According to Haigh, the margarita originated in Texas at the historic Balinese Room, where the head bartender, Santos Cruz, is said to have created the cocktail for Peggy Lee in 1948.
He continues by stating that the margarita is actually a descendant or cousin of the Picador, created in England in the mid 1930s, and featured in the W.J. Tarling Café Royal Cocktail Book. Yes, tequila had a greater popularity in the UK at the time.
It should also be noted that a key component is the use of Cointreau, which was originally a triple sec. According to Haigh, the triple secs that followed are imitations. The original margarita was also shaken and served straight up as was its “father” the Sidecar and “grandfather” the Brandy Crusta.
Ted Haigh’s favorite, classic margarita recipe
1.5 oz blanco tequila (we use Casadores Silver)
1.5 oz Cointreau
1.5 oz fresh lime juice
CELEBRATIONS IN TOWN
Now that you know how to drink for Cinco de Mayo, here is a quick list of celebrations around town:
The Original El Taco
It is one big party at El Taco, starting at 3:00 p.m. with a do-it-yourself salsa bar, frozen mojitos, the Wheel of Taco, and $4.00 pineapple-infused tequila shots. And, of course, specially priced buckets of Dos Equis. (Rumor has it they will be serving up a 22 oz. Lunazul margarita in a glass you keep!)
4th Annual Virginia Highlands Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Block Party
The fun starts at 5:00 and goes until 2:00 a.m. Pozole Nuevo Latino and Tequila Bar are joining forces with Limerick Junction for this popular block party. Live music at 6:00 p.m. and a $5.00 cover charge.
Tin Lizzy
Q100 and Dos Equis will present an all day party in Buckhead anchored around Tin Lizzy. Give-aways, lots of music, and lots of Dos Equis.
Eclipse de Luna (Dunwoody)
The festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with live salsa and merengue music, drink specials, giveaways, and dancing until you drop.
Loca Luna
The Cinco Bash heats up at 4:00 p.m. in the outdoor festival area. with Yacht Rack Schooners and DJ Andre Perry. There will be roaming mariachi bands, a taco eating challenge, ice cold Cerveza and lots of margaritas. Tickets are available at loca-luna.com
Imbibe well, friends! Salud!
Our Libatious Nature 
Love this! You all are super fab.
Now…where did I put my hangover recipes?
When you find them…please pass them along! 🙂