In my opinion, Margaritas are the officlal cocktails of Texas. It’s a highlighted staple of nearly every happy hour in the state and no matter how many bars and restaurants you visit, everyone boasts about their “must-have” house margarita that outshines every other margarita ever created elsewhere.
In the current age of the craft cocktail, there always seems to be a new spin on this classic. But whether you enjoy it frozen, on the rocks, or muddled with natural juices, jalepenos and a salt rim, the margarita is a true staple cocktail on nearly every bar menu.
There’s literally hundreds of restaurants and bars serving margaritas and Austinites have a very long list of favorites that continues to grow as mixologists become more creative. In the spirit and celebration of this year’s National Margarita Day (Feb. 22nd), I’m highlighting my absolute favorite 7 spots to enjoy Austin’s finest margaritas.
Fonda has been one of Austin’s favorite spots for margaritas since the late 70’s. We especially love the Silver Coin Margarita Watermelon infused Patron Silver, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice. While you’re there you might as well try every other margarita as well, just to make sure you have your own favorite. Photo by Hayden Walker
ATX Cocina’s amazing house margarita is about as authentic regional Mexican flavors as they come in Austin. The Margarita De La Casa is made with Lunazul Blanco, agave, and lime juice. ATX Cocina is located at 110 San Antonio Street in the Northshore residences building. Photo by Hayden Walker
With one of the best selections of tequila and mezcal in town, El Naranjo is the perfect destination to celebrate National Margarita Day. The house favorite is the Mezcaliña Agava De Cortéz Silver Mezcal with muddled serranos, basil agave nectar, lime juice and pineapple juice,
Beverage director, David Toby, will feature a special margarita only available during the week of National Margarita Day (February 19-25), the Blood Orange Rita, using fresh blood oranges from Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Plus, JAK boasts an extensive margarita list, like the Frozen Black Cherry Rita, Cucumber Jalapeño Rita and Mango Habanero Rita.
The South Congress hangout spot They will extend their happy hour to 3 p.m. until close, with $4 frozen and custom margaritas and $2 off of their signature margaritas. They will be serving up their famously strong strawberry and mango margaritas both on the rocks and frozen.
La Condesa features a large selection of blue agave and mezcal as well as a craft bar program, guests will feel as if they are transported to Mexico City. The Margarita La Condesa is an Austin staple that is made with cimarron blanco, damiana, fresh pineapple & lime juice, agave nectar and a cactus-lemongrass salt rim. Enoy happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Monday through Friday. Photo by Chelsea Martin
Fresa’s Traditional house margarita is made with a classic blend of tequila blanco, lime juice, agave, with a twist of orange liqueur. Their Cucumber Cilantro Margarita, a salty-and-sweet combination of tequila blanco, lime juice, combier, finished with a sugar-lime salt rim. Finally, the Ancho Chile, is a unique margarita featuring tequila blanco, lime juice, ancho reyes, agave, with a sweet chile salt rim.
ONLY 8% OF AMERICANS HATE MARGARITAS
32% love them, while another 44% say that they like them. The 17% that say they actually dislike them must be thinking of a different drink!
2X AS MANY AMERICANS PREFER FROZEN MARGARITAS
Only 33% say they prefer margaritas on the rocks, while 67% opt for the frozen slushy. That’s ice cold!
65% OF AMERICANS LIKE TO GET SALTY
35% say they like their margarita san-salted rim, but more than 6 in 10 disagree. However, only 26% of Americans always lick the salt off the rim of their margarita, while 74% never do.
1 IN 3 SAY MARGS ARE THEIR FAVORITE HAPPY HOUR DRINK
That’s despite 15% of Americans saying margs are “always deceptively strong.” Let’s hope they’re not going to happy hours with their coworkers!
For more information about National Margarita Day, visit https://nationaltoday.com/us/
New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…
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