master-cooks | Why You May Want To Skip The Margarita At A Mexican Restaurant

When visiting a Mexican restaurant, skipping the margarita might be a wise choice for several reasons. Firstly, these cocktails are often laden with sugar, contributing to a high-calorie count that can derail your dietary goals. Many margaritas are made with pre-mixed ingredients that contain artificial flavors and additives, which can compromise the quality of your drink. Additionally, the alcohol content in margaritas can be deceptively high, potentially leading to overconsumption if not monitored carefully. This can result in unintended intoxication, particularly if you're indulging in multiple rounds. Moreover, the acidity from lime juice and the sugar can affect your teeth, leading to enamel erosion if consumed frequently. Opting for a different beverage can also enhance your dining experience, allowing you to explore a wider range of traditional Mexican drinks such as aguas frescas or horchata, which offer unique flavors without the drawbacks associated with margaritas. Lastly, skipping the margarita can be more economical, as these cocktails are often marked up in price. By choosing alternatives, you can enjoy a more authentic and healthier dining experience while also keeping your budget in check.

What to order instead

Luckily, there are numerous drink alternatives that pair wonderfully with Mexican food. A favored option is the paloma, which features tequila, seltzer, grapefruit juice (or simply grapefruit seltzer), a splash of lime, and a sprinkle of salt. This fizzy, sparkling drink offers a delightful balance of sour and sweet flavors reminiscent of a margarita, making it an ideal refreshment after enjoying a plate of nachos. If you're looking for a substitute for the spiciness of a fiery margarita, consider trying a Michelada. This cocktail resembles a Bloody Mary but has some distinct variations. Instead of using tomato juice, Micheladas typically incorporate Clamato juice, a blend of tomato and clam juice that adds an extra layer of flavor. While a classic Bloody Mary is made with vodka, Micheladas are crafted with a light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo. The outcome is a tasty, distinctive drink that adds a bit of zest to your meal.

For those who prefer a non-alcoholic choice, you can't go wrong with an agua fresca. These chilled blended beverages are primarily made from fresh fruit, combined with a touch of lime juice, water, and sugar or another sweetener. There are endless flavors of agua fresca to choose from, such as watermelon, strawberry, guava, and cucumber. These drinks are incredibly refreshing and make a delightful accompaniment to any meal.

How to make an authentic margarita

While there are many tempting beverages to choose from at a Mexican restaurant, the charm of a margarita is hard to resist. The great news for margarita enthusiasts is that you can easily craft an authentic version at home without excessive sugar. All you need is some quality tequila, triple sec, coarse salt, and fresh limes. Begin by running a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip the rim into a small plate of salt. For the drink, combine ice, four ounces of tequila, two ounces of triple sec, and just under two ounces of lime juice in a shaker and shake well. Strain the mixture into your glass filled with ice. If you don’t have a shaker, you can mix the ingredients directly in your glass and stir with a metal straw. For a frozen margarita, simply blend all the ingredients with ice in a blender.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a house margarita at a Mexican restaurant. They’re designed to be delicious, and many chains even offer their margarita mix for you to enjoy at home. Just keep in mind that when it comes to quality, homemade margaritas often surpass restaurant versions, and they are usually much more budget-friendly.

Why You May Want To Skip The Margarita At A Mexican Restaurant

What to order instead

How to make an authentic margarita

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