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Here’s Who Won The 2025 World Margarita Championship (PHOTOS)

World Margarita Championship 2025 Judge's Choice Best Margarita Chef Roderick LeDesma (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

Here’s Who Won The 2025 World Margarita Championship (PHOTOS)

Jun 23, 20252 min read

The 2025 World Margarita Championship, hosted by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and Tucson Originals Restaurants, concluded on Saturday, June 14 at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.

With a list of worthy contenders, these bartenders and chefs took home the prizes.

JUDGES’ CHOICE – BEST BITE (Tie)

Gap Kitchen: Fried Guacamole & Duck Totopa
Humo Cocina Mexicana: Mole Enchilada Bites

World Margarita Championship 2025 Judges’ Choice (tied) Best Bite winner, Fried Guacamole & Duck Totopa by Gap Kitchen (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

World Margarita Championship 2025 Judges’ Choice (tied) Best Bite winner Humo Cocina Mexicana (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE – BEST BITE

Bashful Bandit Barbecue: Smoked Beef Cheek Tacos

World Margarita Championship 2025 People’s Choice Best Bite winner, Smoked Beef Cheek Tacos by Bashful Bandit Barbecue (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

JUDGES’ CHOICE – BEST MARGARITA

1st Place

Chef Roderick LeDesma: Desert Blossom Margarita

2nd Place

Bisbee Breakfast Club: Blackberry Blaze

3rd Place (Tie)

Dante’s Kitchen + Cocktails: Orange Dreamsicle Margarita
Gap Kitchen: Grilled & Chilled Margarita

World Margarita Championship 2025 Judges’ Choice Best Margarita Chef Roderick LeDesma (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

Bisbee Breakfast Club handing out Blackberry Blaze Margaritas at the World Margarita Championship 2025 (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

World Margarita Championship 2025 Orange Dreamsicle Margarita from Dante’s Kitchen & Cocktails (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

World Margarita Championship 2025 Judges’ Choice Best Margarita third place (tie) Gap Kitchen (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE – BEST MARGARITA:

1st Place
· Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen: Margarita del Sol

2nd Place
· Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar: Mr. Pepino

3rd Place
· Scratching the Plate: Pomegranate de Tigre

World Margarita Championship 2025 People’s Choice winner Margarita del Sol by Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

World Margarita Championship 2025 People’s Choice Best Margarita winner Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

World Margarita Championship 2025 People’s Choice Best Margarita 2nd Place Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

World Margarita Championship 2025 (Photo by Julian Ibarra)

Tickets for upcoming SAACA events are available now at saaca.thundertix.com.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

More about Jackie

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. Best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV.

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.

IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.

THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥

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Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon.

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more.

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free

SPECIAL ADMISSION:
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.

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Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Photos by @sea_lyon

Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon

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@ikkyu.tucson
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More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com

Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com

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📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.

@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.

The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd.

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan.

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com

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