Margarita Nation

The Search Is On: Who Makes The Best Margarita In The Country?

The Original Margarita has been around for 70 years, and is made with three simple ingredients: Cointreau, tequila, and lime. But there are so many twists to The Original Margarita that we decided to search the nation to find the best of the best. Bartenders from around the country have submitted their takes on this classic cocktail, and The Infatuation judges have chosen a top 30.

Meet the Finalists

View all 30 finalists below.

Best Margaritas of the East

TRES AMIGOS

Crazy Uncle Mike's 6450 N. Federal Hwy.
BOCA RATON, FL

TRES AMIGOS

Crazy Uncle Mike's 6450 N. Federal Hwy.
BOCA RATON, FL

Recipe

1/2 OZ CORAZON REPOSADO

1/2 OZ LOS VECINOS MEZCAL

1 OZ ANCHO REYES POBLANO CHILE LIQEUR

1 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

1/2 OZ LUXARDO CHERRY SYRUP

BERRY SPICY MARGARITA

The Butcher & The Bar 510 E. Ocean Avenue, Suite 101
BOYNTON BEACH, FL

BERRY SPICY MARGARITA

The Butcher & The Bar 510 E. Ocean Avenue, Suite 101
BOYNTON BEACH, FL

Recipe

1 OZ FRESH BERRY AND FRESNO CHILI SYRUP

1 OZ COINTREAU

2 OZ BLANCO TEQUILA

1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

GARNISH DEHYDRATED FRESNO CHILI WHEEL AND SMOKED SALT RIM

FLOWER CHILD

Vega Lounge 2777 E. Atlantic Boulevard
POMPANO BEACH, FL

FLOWER CHILD

Vega Lounge 2777 E. Atlantic Boulevard
POMPANO BEACH, FL

Recipe

2 1/2 OZ MAESTRO DOBEL

1 OZ COINTREAU

3/4 OZ CREME DE VIOLETTE LIQUEUR

1/2 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP

1/2 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

2 DASHES LAVENDER BITTERS

SPLASH OF CLUB SODA

GARNISH GARNISH WITH DRY ROSE PETALS

SANCHO PANZA

Sofia 36 Engle Street
ENGLEWOOD, NJ

SANCHO PANZA

Sofia 36 Engle Street
ENGLEWOOD, NJ

Recipe

2 OZ BLANCO TEQUILA

1 OZ COINTREAU

3/4 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

3/4 OZ VANILLA-INFUSED SYRUP

3/4 OZ PASSION FRUIT

GARNISH THYME GARNISH

GREEN GODDESS

Monroe's 36-42 Newark Street
HOBOKEN, NJ

GREEN GODDESS

Monroe's 36-42 Newark Street
HOBOKEN, NJ

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ ANCHO REYES

1 1/2 OZ TEQUILA OCHO REPOSADO

2 HEAPING TSP AVOCADO-SHISHITO PUREE

1 OZ LIME

GARNISH DEHYDRATED LIME, 3 THIN SLICES OF SERRANO PEPPER AND TAJIN RIM

LOST MY WALLET IN OAXACA

Harry's Food and Drink 8101 Bergenline Avenue
NORTH BERGEN, NJ

LOST MY WALLET IN OAXACA

Harry's Food and Drink 8101 Bergenline Avenue
NORTH BERGEN, NJ

Recipe

2 OZ MEZCAL

1 OZ COINTREAU

3/4 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

3/4 OZ CHILI LIQUEUR

3/4 OZ PASSIONFRUIT

GARNISH DRIED CHILI THREADS AND BLACK SALT GARNISH

SMOKED OAXACAN

Suyo Gastrofusion 14 W. 170th Street
BRONX, NY

SMOKED OAXACAN

Suyo Gastrofusion 14 W. 170th Street
BRONX, NY

Recipe

1 OZ TEQUILA

1 OZ MEZCAL

1 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ AGAVE

1 MUDDLED SLICE OF ORANGE

CUCUMBER & JALAPENO

GARNISH STAR ANISE AND SMOKED CINAMON

LINCOLN'S LAST RIDE

Dolly Varden 302 W 51st Street
NEW YORK, NY

LINCOLN'S LAST RIDE

Dolly Varden 302 W 51st Street
NEW YORK, NY

Recipe

1 OZ JALAPENO-INFUSED COINTREAU

2 OZ MONTELOBOS MEZCAL

1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

3/4 OZ GINGER-INFUSED AGAVE SYRUP

GARNISH GINGER CANDY, LIME WHEEL, ORCHID FLOWER GARNISH, Rimmed with cane sugar and Aleppo pepper

VERACRUZ

Luxor Restaurant 3775 10th Avenue, Ste. 7
NEW YORK, NY

VERACRUZ

Luxor Restaurant 3775 10th Avenue, Ste. 7
NEW YORK, NY

Recipe

2 OZ DON JULIO BLANCO

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 OZ HIBISCUS FLOWER REDUCTION

1/4 OZ VANILLA EXTRACT, CINNAMON & ANISETTE

1 OZ COCONUT CREAM MILK

1/2 OZ AGAVE

GARNISH TOPPED WITH COCONUT FOAM AND GARNISHED WITH PINEAPPLE AND DEHYDRATED ORANGE SLICE

PRICKLY POBLANO

Analogue 19 West 8th Street
NEW YORK, NY

PRICKLY POBLANO

Analogue 19 West 8th Street
NEW YORK, NY

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 OZ HIATUS BLANCO

3/4 OZ PRICKLY PEAR PUREE

1/2 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

3 DASHES POBLANO TINCTURE

GARNISH DEHYDRATED LIME GARNISH AND BLACK LAVA SALT RIM

Best Margaritas of the West

PASSION IN PARADISE

Porta Via Calabasas 4799 Commons Way
CALABASAS, CA

PASSION IN PARADISE

Porta Via Calabasas 4799 Commons Way
CALABASAS, CA

Recipe

1/2 OZ AGAVE

1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

2 OZ 1800 COCONUT TEQUILA

3/4 OZ COINTREAU

1 OZ CHINOLA PASSION FRUIT

1/2 A PASSION FRUIT

2 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS

SUENOS

The Vesper 394 E. Campbell Avenue
CAMPBELL, CA

SUENOS

The Vesper 394 E. Campbell Avenue
CAMPBELL, CA

Recipe

2 OZ TEQUILA

1 OZ COINTREAU

3/4 OZ LEMON

1/2 OZ LUXARDO MARASCHINO

2 DASHES OF REGANS

DRAGONFRUIT MARGARITA

Monarch Ocean Pub 1555 Camino Del Mar
DEL MAR, CA

DRAGONFRUIT MARGARITA

Monarch Ocean Pub 1555 Camino Del Mar
DEL MAR, CA

Recipe

2 OZ CASAMIGOS BLANCO

3/4 OZ COINTREAU

FRESH CITRUS JUICES

DRAGONFRUIT PUREE

GARNISH BLACK LAVA SALT RIM

LET THE MANGO!

Big Bar 1929 Hillhurst Avenue
LOS ANGELES, CA

LET THE MANGO!

Big Bar 1929 Hillhurst Avenue
LOS ANGELES, CA

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU (MANGO INFUSED)

1 OZ CAZADORES TEQUILA BLANCO

3/4 OZ HIBISCUS SYRUP

3/4 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

1 BAR SPOON MANGO PEACH STONEWALL JAM

GARNISH CHAMOY RIM WITH TAJÃ

SMOKEY WILDFLOWER

Double D's 354 N. Santa Cruz Avenue
LOS GATOS, CA

SMOKEY WILDFLOWER

Double D's 354 N. Santa Cruz Avenue
LOS GATOS, CA

Recipe

1 1/2 OZ CAZADORES BLANCO

1 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ GREEN BAR HIBISCUS LIQUEUR

SPLASH TRES AGAVE

3/4 OZ LIME JUICE

1/2 OZ LOS VECINOS MEZCAL

GARNISH GARNISH WITH LIME WHEEL AND DRIED HIBISCUS FLOWERS

MARGARITA OH LA LA

Carte Blanche 339 N Cleveland Street
OCEANSIDE, CA

MARGARITA OH LA LA

Carte Blanche 339 N Cleveland Street
OCEANSIDE, CA

Recipe

2 OZ EL JIMADOR BLANCO

1 OZ COINTREAU

GARNISH LILIKOI FOAM, LIME & BLACK SEA SALT RIM

NO MAMEY WEY!

Dirty Habit 12 4th Street
SAN FRANCISCO, CA

NO MAMEY WEY!

Dirty Habit 12 4th Street
SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Recipe

1 OZ ANEJO TEQUILA

3/4 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ SOTOL

3/4 OZ LIME JUICE

3/4 OZ MAMEY/PILONCILLO SYRUP

3 DROPS WALNUT OIL

GARNISH HOUSE MADE TAJIN ON THE RIM

PC RITA

Versante Hearth & Bar 2346 Park Avenue
PARK CITY, UT

PC RITA

Versante Hearth & Bar 2346 Park Avenue
PARK CITY, UT

Recipe

1 1/4 OZ CAZADORES REPOSADO

1 OZ BLOOD ORANGE PUREE

1 OZ SERANNO SIMPLE

1 OZ COINTREAU

GARNISH TOP WITH LIME ZEST AND A SALT RIM

CUTIECADO

Hogan's 906 6th Street
CLARKSTON, WA

CUTIECADO

Hogan's 906 6th Street
CLARKSTON, WA

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 1/2 OZ TEQUILA

4-Jan WHOLE AVOCADO

2-Jan CUTIE MANDARIN

3 DICE SIZED CHUNKS PINEAPPLE

2 SLICES JALAPEÃ‘O

MONTE ARARAT 615

The Black Cypress 215 E Main Street, Ste. B.
PULLMAN, WA

MONTE ARARAT 615

The Black Cypress 215 E Main Street, Ste. B.
PULLMAN, WA

Recipe

1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

1/2 OZ AGAVE CORDIAL

3/4 OZ COINTREAU

1/4 OZ OUZO

1 1/2 OZ TEQUILA BLANCO

GARNISH GARNISH WITH TWO PICKED OLIVES, FRESH MINT SPRIG AND DEHYDRATED LIME SLICE

Best Margaritas of the Central U.S.

CILANTRO JALAPENO MARGARITA

Uno Mas Taqueria 1585 S. Pearl Street
DENVER, CO

CILANTRO JALAPENO MARGARITA

Uno Mas Taqueria 1585 S. Pearl Street
DENVER, CO

Recipe

1 1/2 OZ CILANTRO & JALAPENO INFUSED EL JIMADOR BLANCO

1 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

DASH OF MR. BOSTON PEACH SCHNAPPS

DASH OF AGAVE NECTAR

CHEF'S MARGARITA

I|O Godfrey 127 W. Huron Street
CHICAGO, IL

CHEF'S MARGARITA

I|O Godfrey 127 W. Huron Street
CHICAGO, IL

Recipe

GENTLY BLENDED FRESH JUICES

COINTREAU & COINTREAU NOIR

DON JULIO BLANCO

GARNISH SIGNATURE HABANERO SALT

EL PEPÍNO CALIENTE

Mesler 1405 E. 53rd Street
CHICAGO, IL

EL PEPÍNO CALIENTE

Mesler 1405 E. 53rd Street
CHICAGO, IL

Recipe

1 1/2 OZ TEQUILA

3/4 OZ COINTREAU

3/4 OZ LIME JUICE

2 OZ PUREED CUCUMBER

2 SLICES JALAPENO (MUDDLED)

1 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP

GARNISH TAJA

CALL ME BIG PAPA-YA MARGARITA

Tavern on Citrus 5408 Citrus Boulevard
HARAHAN, LA

CALL ME BIG PAPA-YA MARGARITA

Tavern on Citrus 5408 Citrus Boulevard
HARAHAN, LA

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 1/2 OZ BLUE-INFUSED FAT WASHED BLANCO TEQUILA

1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

1/2 OZ PAPAYA ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP

GARNISH INVERTED LIME WEDGE GARNISH AND CHILE FRUIT POWDER RIM

SOME LIKE IT HOT

El Jefe 5309 Lyndale Avenue S.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

SOME LIKE IT HOT

El Jefe 5309 Lyndale Avenue S.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Recipe

2 OZ SERRANO PEPPER INFUSED EL JIMADOR SILVER

1 OZ COINTREAU

2 OZ LIME JUICE

GARNISH TAJIN RIM

BLACK DIAMOND

Barrio 235 6th Street E.
ST. PAUL, MN

BLACK DIAMOND

Barrio 235 6th Street E.
ST. PAUL, MN

Recipe

2 OZ MAESTRO DOBEL

1 OZ COINTREAU

2 OZ POMEGRANATE JUICE

1 OZ FRESH SQUEEZED LEMON

GARNISH BLACK SEA SALT RIM

I LOVE YOU ELOTE

Steiner's Speakeasy 31 S. Paint Street
CHILLICOTHE, OH

I LOVE YOU ELOTE

Steiner's Speakeasy 31 S. Paint Street
CHILLICOTHE, OH

Recipe

2 OZ EL JIMADOR REPOSADO TEQUILA

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 OZ LIME JUICE

1 OZ MUDDLED PINEAPPLE

1 OZ HOUSE MADE MEXICAN STREET CORN SIMPLE SYRUP

GARNISH DOUBLE LIME WHEEL AND PINEAPPLE LEAF GARNISH

GET THAT CORN OUTTA MY FACE

Austin Proper Hotel 600 W. 2nd Street
AUSTIN, TX

GET THAT CORN OUTTA MY FACE

Austin Proper Hotel 600 W. 2nd Street
AUSTIN, TX

Recipe

1 1/2 OZ CREMA DE MEZCAL DEL MAGUEY

1 OZ TEQUILA BLANCO

3/4 OZ COINTREAU

1/2 OZ CORN LIQUOR

3/4 OZ LIME JUICE

1/4 OZ RICH AGAVE SYRUP

1 EGG WHITE

PINA A LA PARRILLA

Curra's Grill 614 E Oltorf Street
AUSTIN, TX

PINA A LA PARRILLA

Curra's Grill 614 E Oltorf Street
AUSTIN, TX

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 1/2 OZ TEQUILA SILVER

1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE

1/2 OZ AGAVE NECTAR

MUDDLED HABANERO AND GRILLED PINEAPPLE

IZAMAL

Jalisco Norte 3858 Oak Lawn Avenue, #470
DALLAS, TX

IZAMAL

Jalisco Norte 3858 Oak Lawn Avenue, #470
DALLAS, TX

Recipe

1 OZ COINTREAU

1 1/2 OZ TEQUILA

SPLASH OF CILANTRO JUICE

1/4 OZ JALAPENO JUICE

1/2 OZ AGAVE NECTAR

3/4 OZ LIME JUICE

1 OZ GRILLED PINEAPPLE JUICE

The Judges

All judges are members of The Infatuation’s Happy Hour Hotline – a text-based service exclusive to Friends of The Infatuation, where bartenders, sommeliers, and beverage pros are available for all drinking and cocktail making advice.

Mark Reyes

Mark is a Level 3 Advanced Sommelier, having worked at some of the greats in Chicago: Charlie Trotter’s, Alinea, Grace, Sepia and The Purple Pig. He is a private wine consultant and virtual wine educator at Reyes Wines Consulting.

Annie Replogle

Annie is a passionate food and wine lover living in NYC. Her favorite weekend activity is hosting dinner parties, turning people onto good food, great wine, and music.

Brian Vito Morales

Brian was born and raised in Whittier, California. Lover of food, travel, cocktails and natural wine. Connoisseur of dive bars across the country.

Hannah Bromberg

Hannah is a marketing and social media professional and former bartender and server at The Water Club and The River Cafe in New York City. Her work includes award-winning bars such as Katana Kitten, Existing Conditions, Mac and many more.

Christine Kamine

Residing in Los Angeles, Christine works for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Americas, from which she also holds their highest qualification, the Diploma in Wines and Spirits. She previously held positions at Wine Spectator magazine and Pernod Ricard Wines and Champagnes.

See All Margarita Nation Entries

Margarita Nation

The Search Is On: Who Makes The Best Margarita In The Country?

Meet the Finalists

The Judges

Favorite Margarita:The Classic: Tequila, lime juice and Cointreau.

Favorite Margarita:Hot and Bold. A Habanero Margarita, extra spicy.

Favorite Margarita:Classic Lime, Agave and Tequila Reposado with a dash of Orange bitters.

Favorite Margarita:Not too much salt on the rim, a nice acidic tang and no overwhelming sweetness.

Favorite Margarita:Mezcal margarita, on the rocks, with extra chile lime salt (Tajín) on the rim.

See All Margarita Nation Entries

Margarita Nation

The Search Is On: Who Makes The Best Margarita In The Country?

Meet the Finalists

The Judges

Favorite Margarita:The Classic: Tequila, lime juice and Cointreau.

Favorite Margarita:Hot and Bold. A Habanero Margarita, extra spicy.

Favorite Margarita:Classic Lime, Agave and Tequila Reposado with a dash of Orange bitters.

Favorite Margarita:Not *too* much salt on the rim, a nice acidic tang and no overwhelming sweetness.

Favorite Margarita:Mezcal margarita, on the rocks, with extra chile lime salt (Tajín) on the rim.

See All Margarita Nation Entries

Thank you for Voting!

Favorite Margarita:Not too much salt on the rim, a nice acidic tang and no overwhelming sweetness.