It’s been a long winter — and even if March and April temperatures on the Shore don’t meet your expectations, you can warm up with these specialty crafted margarita recipes from spicy resort destinations
Content and Photography courtesy The Zimmerman Agency
Desert Water at Lolita’s Bistro – Laredo, TX
Refreshingly light and subtly sweet, the Desert Water at Lolita’s Bistro (pictured above) is perfect for those who enjoy a “skinnier” margarita. Sotol, a native spirit of Mexico that can be herbaceous and almost grassy, lends itself well to the similar qualities found in aloe vera. Accented with interesting bitters, like that of the grapefruit, the final product is an earthly, sweet concoction that’s sure to hit all the right spots.
Ingredients:
3 oz aloe vera juice (unsweetened)
¼ oz lime juice
1 Tbsp sugar or agave syrup
1 oz Sotol
3 Tbsp coarse sea salt, for rim garnish
1-2 Tbsp chile piquin (fresh or dried), for rim garnish
Grapefruit bitters or grapefruit peel (white removed), for garnish
Lime peel (white removed), for garnish
Instructions:
Combine juices with the sugar or syrup and stir until completely dissolved. Wet half the rim of an Old Fashioned glass with a lime wedge and dip in the chile piquin salt mixture. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the juice and sugar mix, then add Sotol. Stir well and top with three dashes of grapefruit bitters. Garnish with a lime peel and enjoy!
Desert Rose at Savannah Tequila Co. – Savannah, GA
What’s better than tequila? Tequila paired with tacos! Discover authentic Mexican fare at Savannah Tequila Co. in Plant Riverside District, where coastal vibes and views of the Savannah River go hand-in-hand. Sip on the Desert Rose, in which the fresh flavors of raspberry, lime and lemon, combined with tequila, triple sec and rose water, create a tasty floral-flavored beverage that exudes a full sensory experience.
Ingredients:
1½ oz Avion Blanco tequila
1 oz Combier Raspberry
½ oz triple sec
1 oz lime juice
3 dashes of rose water
Himalayan salt for rim
Slice of lemon for rim
Flower for garnish
Instructions:
Rub the glass with a lemon wedge and rim glass with Himalayan salt and set aside. Combine all ingredients, add ice and shake. Strain over glass, top with ice and garnish with fresh flower.
Margarita Jala-piña at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
This Grapefruit Pineapple Jalapeño cocktail from Trump International Hotel Las Vegas is a fresh and fruity yet spicy and full-flavored take on the conventional margarita. Like the city of Las Vegas, this specialty drink offers no shortage of excitement for when you are looking to transport yourself to the City of Lights.
Ingredients:
2 oz Reposado tequila
¾ oz Cointreau
1 oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz pineapple juice
¼ oz grapefruit liqueur
3 jalapeño slices
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a shaker cup with ice and shake vigorously. Use a lime wedge to moisten the edge of your glass with lime juice. Coat the rim of the glass with a chili espresso salt rim. Strain drink onto fresh ice and serve. Garnish with a slice of lime, a slice of jalapeño and a pineapple leaf.
The Sunset Margarita at Ocean Key Resort & Spa – Key West, FL
With one sip, The Sunset Margarita will transport you to a place of warm tropical ocean breezes while igniting the eclectic vibe of Key West, found at Ocean Key Resort & Spa. When adding the blood orange, which is high in vitamin C and natural antioxidants, sipping this beverage will refresh with its flavorful punch!
Ingredients:
1½ oz Don Julio Blanco tequila
1 oz agave nectar
Splash of fresh-squeezed lime
Splash of blood orange juice with pulp
Blood orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
Combine all drink ingredients into a shaker over ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a blood orange slice.
Lemon Mezcal Margarita at Wild Dunes Resort – Isle of Palms, SC
For when you’re dreaming of your next vacation, Wild Dunes’ Lemon Mezcal Margarita will transport you to an idyllic beachfront oasis. A fresh take on the classic margarita, this coastal concoction packs a punch with refreshing lemonade, elderflower liquor, lemon and lime juice and a hickory salt rim.
Ingredients:
1¾ oz Mezcal
½ oz St. Germaine elderflower liquor
2 oz lemonade
½ oz lemon and lime juice
Smoked hickory salt rim
Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions:
Combine ingredients, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a hickory salt rim and lemon wheel.
Dean’s Margarita at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas – Dallas, TX
As the “Father of Southwestern Cuisine,” celebrity Chef Dean Fearing has spent years carefully curating his signature tequila cocktail. Dean’s Margarita is a must-have at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, utilizing utilizing classic agave flavors and Dean’s Bar Aged Reposado. One sip of this Southwestern Texas classic, and you’ll never go back to margarita mix again!
Ingredients:
1½ oz Dean’s Bar Aged Avion Reposado
¾ oz Damiana herbal liquor
½ oz agave nectar
¾ oz lime juice
Instructions:
Fill a shaker with ice, then add all ingredients and shake vigorously until tin is frosted and beaded with sweat. Serve over ice in a glass with a salted rim and garnish.
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Sweet Heat Margarita at Perch 360, Wyvern Hotel – Punta Gorda, FL
Bring on the heat (the Florida heat, that is!) with this tropical libation that pulls together all the beachy vibes seen from the panoramic bar located atop the Wyvern Hotel. Like the quaint coastal town of Punta Gorda, this fruity fun drink features the sweet and spicy side of Florida with local flavors of coconut, citrus and jalapeno.
Ingredients:
1½ oz Jalapeno tequila
1½ oz triple sec
1½ oz coconut concentrate
4 oz sour mix
1 muddled orange
2 muddled limes
2 muddled Jalapeño
Sprinkled with red pepper flakes
Orange, jalapeño and lime slice for garnish
Instructions:
Combine ingredients, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice. Top with red pepper flakes and garnish with orange, lime and jalapeño wheels.
Watermelon Margarita – C&H Sugar
Let the good times roll with C&H Sugar’s Watermelon Margarita. Infused with fresh watermelon and citrus flavors, lightly sweetened with C&H’s Organic Raw Cane Sugar and perfectly finished with a salty rim — this sweet and salty pairing will have you in a vacation state of mind.
Ingredients:
For the simple syrup
1 cup C&H® Organic Raw Cane Sugar
1 cup water
For the watermelon puree
1 cup fresh watermelon, diced into cubes
For the margaritas
3 oz tequila reposado
4 oz watermelon puree
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz simple syrup
1 cup ice
Lemon slices for garnish
Watermelon slices for garnish
Instructions:
Prepare the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, add sugar and water. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to reach room temperature.
For the watermelon puree: Place watermelon into a blender and blend at high speed until smooth.
Prepare the margaritas: Rim 2 glasses with salt and add ice. Combine tequila, watermelon puree, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain mixture onto the prepared glasses. Garnish with lime and watermelon slices. Enjoy!
The Likeani at Wai'olu Ocean Cusine – Honolulu, HI
Escape to the Tropical Island of Hawaii with The Likeani, Wai’olu Ocean Cusine at Trump International Hotel Waikiki’s interpretation of a Pink Champagne Margarita using a blend of bold and fragrant flavors. This cocktail is representative of the unique combination of tropical glamour and vibrant cultures found on the Island that’s sure to leave you dreaming of your next trip to Hawaii.
Ingredients:
1 oz blanco tequila
¼ oz peach sec
1 oz Guava puree
2 limes, muddled
Alaea sea salt
1½ oz Rosé sparkling wine
Instructions:
Shake and strain into a salt-rimmed Champagne flute and top off with Rosé sparkling wine. CS