America's Best Margarita Bars

foodandwine.com

By Justine Sterling, Food & Wine

Mixologists across the U.S. are crafting fantastic margaritas with hand-squeezed citrus, carefully selected tequila or mezcal and refreshing additions like cucumbers, jalapeños, grapefruit and star anise. Here, Food & Wine names America's Best Margarita Bars.

Tres, San Francisco
The bright and airy tequila lounge dedicates a full portion of the cocktail menu to margaritas organized by type of tequila: unaged blanco, lightly oaked reposado, oak-aged añejo and special edition reserva. All have a base of fresh-squeezed Mexican lime juice and agave nectar.

Photo © GammaNine.




Mayahuel, NYC
One of New York City's best mixologists, Philip Ward opened this East Village tequila and mezcal bar in 2009 with stellar cocktails and Mexican food like tamales with charred poblanos. One of the off-menu drink specialties is a superb classic margarita with blanco tequila, Cointreau and lime juice.

Photo courtesy of Mayahuel.



Jimmy's in Aspen, Aspen, CO
Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, this Aspen institution has more than 100 tequilas and mezcals, makes terrific margaritas and hosts legendary Saturday night Latin-dance parties.

Photo courtesy of Jimmy's.






Lonesome Dove, Fort Worth, TX
Tim Love's Western-style bistro is known for its spicy take on a margarita: Case Noble tequila muddled with jalapeño and cucumber, plus Cointreau and fresh lime juice. The refreshing cucumber perfectly contrasts the pepper's heat in every sip.

Photo courtesy of Lonesome Dove.




Rivera, Los Angeles
Guests at John Rivera Sedlar's modern Latin restaurant can order the Rivera margarita mixed with house-made curaçao and their choice of 20 blanco tequilas. The bar also makes a Tommy's margarita--inspired by Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco--which eliminates the curaçao for a tarter cocktail.

Photo © Eddie Sotto.



Click Here for More of America's Best Margarita Bars

More from Food & Wine
America's Best Bars
Ultimate Margarita Recipes
Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S.
Delicious Mexican Recipes


Food & Wine is on a mission to find the most exciting places, new experiences, emerging trends and delicious food.