Everyone has a margarita story. Some involve spring break and questionable decisions. Others just a salted rim, a rooftop sunset, and a feeling that life is very much in your favor. And, good news, if you don’t have a margarita story yet… it’s really not that hard to make one that feels truly yours.
Because here’s the thing: margaritas aren’t just a cocktail. They’re a choose-your-own-adventure in a glass.
The Margarita Capital of the World
While yes, the margarita has gone global, Mexico is still its beating heart. In fact, Mexico City is home to the world’s best bar – Handshake Speakeasy – and has several other spots ranked among North America’s finest, according to Travel + Leisure. So, whether you’re sipping a mezcal margarita under the glow of modern mixology, or ducking into a casual cantina for a classic version with a plate of tacos, you’re not just drinking a cocktail – you’re tasting Mexico’s past and present in a glass.
THE FOUNDATION
Like all good things, the margarita starts simple…
- 2 oz agave tequila
- 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed – it’s worth the effort)
Shake it with ice. Salt the rim. Pour. Sip. Chill.
This is the baseline. Think of it as “Mr. Brightside.” Always a hit, endlessly covered.
what’s your style?
Here’s where margaritas really flex their muscles: customization. The margarita’s genius is its balance of structure and freedom. It has an identity no matter what you do to it – and somehow, the more you tweak it, the more “you” it becomes.
THE SPIRIT
Tequila blanco, reposado, añejo, or go smoky with mezcal. Each one tells a different story.
THE FLAVOR
Mango, hibiscus, passionfruit, cucumber, jalapeño, coconut, pumpkin spice (if you must). If it grows, you can probably shake it into a margarita.
THE RIM
Classic salt, spicy Tajín, hibiscus sugar, black lava salt. Seriously – what other drink makes you want to lick the glass like a margarita does?
THE STYLE
On the rocks, frozen, skinny, Cadillac. (No judgment if you still drink out of that plastic yardstick from Cancun in 1998).
There you have it. The world’s most customizable cocktail, and the second-best way to escape the everyday – your way.
What About Those Frozen Slushies?
As with most cocktails, the margarita origin story is foggy at best – which feels fitting, honestly. What we do know is that margaritas became iconic in Mexico because of the ingredients: tequila made from native agave, limes that grow everywhere, and a culture that has always celebrated balance – sour, sweet, salty.
Fast forward north of the border and suddenly you’ve got neon-colored slushies pouring out of frozen machines. Fun? Yes. Authentic? Not at all. More of a remix, really. Catchy, but you still crave the original.
So, What’s All This Have to Do with Travel?
At Roam by Tauck, we believe the best journeys are like the best margaritas: a strong foundation, and then plenty of freedom to make it your own. We set the stage. You choose the flavors. Maybe it’s an afternoon rooftop cocktail. Maybe it’s a taco tour. Or maybe it’s just a quick detour down a tiled side street that becomes your favorite photo of the trip. Just like the drink, the magic is in the freedom to personalize.
The Final Sip
So, are margaritas in fact the world’s most customizable cocktail? We think so. But the better question might be: how do you take yours?
Salt or Tajín? Tequila or mezcal? On the rocks or frozen?
There are no wrong answers – only great stories.
And if you’re ready to make your next margarita memory in the place where it all began, check out our journey to Mexico City & San Miguel de Allende. We’ll bring the tequila.
