For the best margaritas in Corpus Christi, find the bartender with the fresh lime juice and 100 percent agave tequila.
The secret to the best margarita centers on the main ingredient: tequila. With only three ingredients, the quality and amounts of each can make all the difference. In Corpus Christi, the best margaritas may well be the ones you find in restaurant or bar. Before launching your quest, it helps to know what you're looking for.
Quality ingredients, proper proportions — here’s one expert’s take on the perfect margarita:
1 1/2 oz. tequila (100% agave a must, preferably a “reposado”)
1 1/2 oz. triple sec or Cointreau
1 to 1 1/4 oz. of lime juice
Salt the rim of the glass with a grainy mixed drink salt
Shake ingredients with cracked ice in a cocktail shaker until the outside of the glass frosts up. Strain into a glass over ice or serve it without ice in a cocktail glass. Whether you add a slice of lime or not is up to you.
But what about the tequila? Squeeze your own lime just so, buy a serviceable triple sec or Cointreau and all will be well — unless you mix it with the wrong tequila.
Tequilas are split into two types: 100 percent blue agave and a mixed tequila, with a minimum of 51 percent agave. The other percentage comes from cane sugars. You can tell which is which by looking at the label. If it just says tequila, then it’s mixed. If it’s 100 percent agave, it will be written on the label, and your bill, because those tequilas are much more expensive.
The best “top shelf” margaritas are mixed by the purists: the three ingredient, 100 percent agave bartenders.
At The Post in the Lamar Park shopping center. 411 Doddgridge St., the variety comes in the tequilas. The Post’s extensive tequila inventory goes from good to the best in agave content. The rest of the drink is fresh lime juice and Cointreau. You decide to salt or not to salt (although we highly recommend it!).
Bartenders at Molé Mexican Restaurant, 6042 S. Padre Island Drive at Airline, think outside the lime. You can always partake of their 99 cent margaritas at anytime, or order a fresh squeezed top shelf margarita, but for a true delight try their tamarindo margarita! It is a beautiful coppery color with matching salt and an exquisite taste of tamarind. So good!