Again within the ’90s, you’d be hardpressed to discover a first rate tequila listing wherever on the town. Right this moment it’s a totally completely different story. Whether or not you’re within the temper for blanco-based Margaritas or able to sip some uncommon additional añejo, these locations have what you’re searching for—after which some.
Minneapolis
This spot prides itself on genuine scratch made Latin delicacies and daring cocktails. It gives 12 Margarita variations ($10-$15), together with the Pink Elephant, made with Maestro Dobel tequila, Aperol, Cointreau, and grapefruit and lime juices; and the Diamante Pepino, that includes Maestro Dobel, Cointreau, jalapeño, cucumber, and lime juice. The backbar holds a big collection of 150-plus agave-based spirits and greater than 40 flights.
Philadelphia
This Mexican restaurant has over 100 completely different tequilas accessible, with highlights together with Gran Patrón Smoky ($45/1-oz. pour), Siembra Valles Ancestral Lot 3 ($28), Casa Dragones joven ($37), and an El Tesoro reposado that was specifically made for the venue ($14/2 oz.). There are additionally a number of tequila-based cocktails ($8-$14) on the menu, together with the Tequila Ocho Blanco-based Paloma ($13). This summer season the venue will host “Palomas on the Patio” providing specials with this drink, on the patio.
Austin
Open since 1987, this venue is impressed by the city of Chapala, one of many cities that surrounds the biggest lake in Jalisco, Mexico, providing genuine delicacies from the homeowners’ household recipes. On the beverage aspect, greater than 200 tequilas and different agave spirits are on provide, and the cocktail listing primarily highlights varied takes on the Margarita, together with home favorites just like the Pepino Rico ($12), that includes tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, muddled cucumber, mint, and freshly squeezed orange juice, and the El Tropico ($11), mixing tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, muddled roasted jalapeño, roasted pineapple, cilantro, and mint.
San Diego
This Mexican restaurant doubles as a tequila museum, with over 3,000 bottles on show. Round 800 of them can be found to style, together with the venue’s personal tequila, El Agave Barrica añejo, which is aged 34 months in new French oak and is obtainable solely on the restaurant ($35/2 oz.). There are additionally loads of cocktails, together with 9 home Margaritas ($14-$16) and such high-end choices because the Tequila Outdated Long-established ($50), comprising Adictivo additional añejo (aged 83 months), Angostura bitters, and Luxardo maraschino cherries.
Los Angeles
This tequila bar and taqueria is understood for its huge assortment of tequilas and mezcals, carrying over 300 labels from greater than 175 producers. It was initially based in 1929 by Encarnacion Elias Gomez to assist her household after her husband was killed, earlier than hotelier Sean MacPherson took possession in 1997 and renovated the inside to have a good time the colourful historical past of Lucha Libre wrestlers, impressed by MacPherson’s summers spent along with his grandmother in Guadalajara. Along with home cocktails ($14-$17), tequila pours vary from $11 for blancos like Abre Ojos, Cielo, El Jimador, and Jose Cuervo, as much as $80 for Codigo 1530 additional añejo.
New York Metropolis
Mexican-born chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval is on the helm of this restaurant and bar specializing in trendy approaches to basic Mexican delicacies. The expansive tequila listing contains 42 blancos ($14-$24/1.5 oz.), 42 reposados ($15-$32), 39 añejos ($16-$78), and 18 additional añejos ($18-$250), plus 14 ultra-pre mium labels ($16-$60) and 7 flavored and blended expressions (all $14). There are additionally six Margaritas to attempt, or you’ll be able to select the Margarita flight ($33). Moreover, there are 13 spirits flights ($22-$55) accessible: 10 tequila, two mezcal, and a single barrel whisky fligh from Oaxaca, Mexico’s Sierra Norte Distillery.
Chicago
Positioned within the coronary heart of River North, this upscale Mexican restaurant carries round 100 completely different tequilas and 50 mezcals, includ ing standard labels like Don Julio ($15-$90/2 oz.) and Patrón ($16-$31) and extra boutique and up-and-coming manufacturers like Casa Azul Orgánico ($15-$17). Excessive-end choices embody Clase Azul añejo ($120) and Clase Azul San Luis Potosí mezcal ($105). The venue’s tequila-based cocktails are standard—particularly the Pepino El Pyu ($16), a mix of Gran Centenario plata, cucumber, lemon, hoja santa (Mexican pepperleaf ), and cumin salt, and the Amiga Sandia ($17), that includes Astral blanco, recent watermelon, and basil.
Washington, D.C.
This restaurant from chef and restaurateur José Andrés gives Mexican small plates, ceviches, and tacos, plus distinctive Margaritas—the Oyamel ($16) is a home specialty com prising Milagro blanco, Magdala orange liqueur, lime juice, and topped with foamy “salt air”—and an array of 250 completely different agave-based spirits, 100 of that are tequilas. The tequila listing is organized by age assertion and area, with choices starting from $12/1.5-oz. for Astral blanco as much as $88 for the restricted launch G4 Día de Los Muertos 2023 Version Reposado de Madera.
Miami
First opened in 1991 as El Cielito Lindo, this was the primary Mexican restaurant in South Seaside. In 2013 the homeowners moved to an even bigger venue in Sundown Harbor beneath its present title, the place they’ve continued to win consideration for his or her genuine Mexican delicacies and spectacular tequila choice. Along with the 250-plus tequilas supplied, the cocktail menu contains 11 Margaritas starting from $15 to $22, such because the Spicy Rooster ($16), a basic Margarita with the addition of muddled jalapeño, La Chula ($15), a mezcal-based model comprising strawberry and tamarind purée, and El Dragon ($22), a top-shelf Margarita that includes Casa Dragones blanco and Cointreau Noir.
San Francisco
This family-run spot has been open since 1965 and was the primary restaurant within the nation to serve 100% agave Herradura Silver as its home tequila. Along with providing greater than 300 tequilas, it’s additionally the place Julio Bermejo, son of the unique homeowners, created the Tommy’s Margarita, which blends 100% agave tequila, agave nectar, and recent lime juice—a recipe that many venues have since adopted for their very own Margaritas.
