Blended or on the rocks, salt or no salt, Margaritas know no boundaries.
While purists may insist the classic cocktail features only tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, they’re still delicious with the addition of fruits such as local prickly pear. Even a touch of cilantro or jalapeño is nice.
Just stay away from packaged sweet-and-sour mix.
Here’s where to get ’em, if you aren’t willing to make ’em.
Reforma offers a wide variety of gourmet Margarita flavors such as Blood Orange, Tamarindo, Prickly Pear, Mango Habanero, and Cucumber Mint. Every Monday is $6 Margarita Monday.
For more information, visit reformatucson.com.
La Cocina’s classic Margaritas are $8, but spend an extra dollar for the Prickly Pear, Jalapeno, Strawberry, Hibiscus, or Ginger versions. The Margarita of the Day is also worth a shot or two.
For more information, visit lacocinatucson.com.
While El Berraco’s Michelada is worthy of its own fan club, don’t miss out on the Margaritas. Strawberry and Tamarindo are popular options along with the Del Mar Margarita, which features 1800 reposado tequila.
For more information, visit el-berraco.com.
La Botana is best for social Margarita drinking since their massive Uber-Rita is always available as a 2-for-1 special. Additional flavors include Blue Demon (blue curacao), Tropical (hibiscus-jamaica), Prickly Pear, Tamarindo, Cucumber Jalapeño, and Tucson H2O (splash of Negra Modelo).
For more information, visit labotanatacos.com.
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For a premium option, order the El Maestro Margarita ($12) with Codigo Blanco, muddled jalapeño, TajĂn, agave, and citrus.
For more information, visit charrosteak.com.
For a different kind of green (not that kind), try the Verde Margarita, which gets its color from a shot of melon liqueur, or the Jalapeño Margarita, with house-infused jalapeño and cilantro tequila. For a frozen fruit margarita, strawberry, and mango are available. The House Margarita is $5 during happy hour 3 – 6 p.m. daily.
For more information, visit calletepa.com.
With a designated driver, Tohono Chul Garden Bistro has the best value—bottomless prickly pear mimosas and margaritas for $14 (seven days a week) with the purchase of an entree. Have fun, but don’t get too carried away.
For more information, visit tohonochulpark.org.
El Chinito Gordo offers a wide array of unique margarita flavors ranging from Blackberry Cinnamon to Peach Pomegranate. If you can’t make up your mind, get three mini-margaritas as a Margarita Flight.
For more information, visit elchinitogordo.com.
Where are your favorite margaritas in town? Let us know in the comments.
[This article was originally written on February 22, 2018, and most recently updated on February 21, 2020.]
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon...
