Tomorrow (February 22nd) is National Margarita Day. Yup, we celebrate the alcoholic beverage we most associate with warm, sunny weather in the dead of winter. Because why not? To mark the occasion, we’ve put together a map to some of the best margarita options in town. Drink up, sunshine!
Did we miss your fave? Let us know and we’ll consider adding it to the map!
The cocktail program at Chinatown’s Bao Bei has always been a masterstroke of awesomeness, so it’s no surprise that they’re fans of the marg, as evidenced by their unique take on it. Order: Chino Margarita, $14 — Dried tangerine peel infused reposado tequila, ginger, lime, egg white, chili salt/sugar rim
Located in the old Fat Dragon address, Dosanko is to home-style Japanese comfort food what this list is to margaritas. Order: Yuzu Margarita, $13 – Triple sec, tequila, yuzu, lemon, koji-salt.
Their cocktail card doesn’t advertise the fact that they make a great margarita (we know this from experience), but that shouldn’t stop you from ordering one at their well respected wood. Order: classic margarita.
No surprise here. This place rocks delicious classic and top shelf margs at both locations, but we chose the Commercial Drive address because it’s closest to our office. Order: Classic margarita made with Mezcal, $15.
Fayuca does some of the most interesting Mexican food in Canada, so it would naturally follow that they’re pretty damn clever when it comes to margaritas. Order: Damiana Margarita, $12 – fresh lime, damiana-infused tequila and orange liqueur.
Want to know what good about this world? Half price tacos and cheap margs during Happy Hour at Japantown’s Cuchillo. Order: Chef Stu Irving’s szechuan peppercorn rockfish tacos with kimchi and…you guessed it…a lime margarita, $6 and $8 respectively.
We’ve been big fans of this company since their food-truck-in-Tofino days, so we were understandably thrilled when they went brick and mortar close to home on East Hastings — with a liquor license! Order: Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita, $11 — El Jimador blanco, cointreau, fresh lime, agave, sea salt.
Long our go-to taqueria for quick and delicious carnitas. While there are several locations around town to choose from, this is their newest, and their batched Happy Hour margaritas really hit the spot. Order: lime classic on tap during Happy Hour, $7.
Local barman of legend Nick Devine has been known to tinker with a traditional cocktail or three at this Main Street hangout, and that includes iterations of the subject at hand. Order: Super Habanero Margarita – $11, Altos Reposado, agave and lime with salted rim on the rocks.
All of the cocktails at this Peruvian-themed Mount Pleasant hideaway are named after “strong, infuential, boundary pushing, passionate Peruvian women who inspire and lead us closer to equality.” Order: Teresa Izquierdo (formerly known as ‘Maragrita Patada’) – $13, Jalapeno infused Pisco, triple sec, lime, ginger syrup and orange bitters.
This colourful, unpretentious, happy-go-lucky taco bar in the middle of Gastown’s Blood Alley is all about fun and accessibility, with very refreshingly few fucks given. Order: basic lime marg, $8 – proudly made with “crap tequila”.
When one of your favourite restaurants offers up a margarita during its Happy Hour, you take extra note! Hell, we might even bend the other elbow and score two… Order: Tommy’s Margarita, $8.75 (between 5pm and 6pm).
Feeling like a total baller and want to know what a top of the top shelf margarita tastes like? Make your way to The Keefer Bar in Chinatown and ask for the reserve cocktail list. Order: Margarita, $50 – Don Julio 1942, hand-pressed lime juice, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, black Hawaiian sea salt rim.
Out of Town Honourable Mention:
True story: SoBo in Tofino makes one of the most memorable margaritas on the planet. Order: SoBo Margarita, $13 — Tequila, Triple Sec, key lime, orange
The pineapple margarita at La Taquiera on Yukon is unbelievably tasty.
Los Cuervos has a KILLER margarita too!
I have been a fan of margaritas since the time I started drinking occasionally. I think with this list now; I will try to go and hit all of these restaurants and then do a review for it.