Whether they're shaken or frozen, whether it's Cinco de Mayo or Cinco de Octubre, whether you prefer salt or no salt, nothing hits the spot like a margarita. We've ranked our five favorite margs around town—from the traditional to the creative—to make your next Taco Tuesday or a Saturday-night fiesta a delicious one.
5. Senorita Clusterf*@k! at El Chucho ($10)
Columbia Heights
The name says it all: El Chucho's signature mezcal margarita looks pretty, but has an undeniable spicy kick, thanks to the addition of poblano pepper-spiked blackberry syrup. If you're looking for something a little lower-key in heat levels and price, drop by for the weekday happy hour (4-6:30pm), when margaritas on tap go for $4.50 and frozen margs (lime, strawberry habanero or swirl) are just $5.50. Pair them with some $3 al pastor or beer-can chicken tacos.
4. Oyamel margarita at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana ($12.50)
Penn Quarter
Superchef José Andres knows his booze—he owns Minibar, after all—and the most popular margarita at his Mexican tapas spot is both classic (with blanco tequila, Combier orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice) and innovative (it's topped with foamy "salt air," a refreshing alternative to a salty rim). If the $12.50 price tag is too rich for your blood, you can also sample a more traditional margarita at weekday happy hour (4:30-6:30pm) for just $5/glass or $30/pitcher, along with $4 snacks and taco duos.
3. Swirl margaritas at Lauriol Plaza ($7.95)
Dupont Circle
Can't decide on a favorite margarita flavor? Lauriol Plaza has the solution: swirl margaritas, offered in any combo of five flavors (mango, strawberry, sangrita, peach, and classic lime). These fruity concoctions go down deceptively easy, especially when sharing a $40 pitcher with a group. For an even better deal, come during happy hour (Sunday-Friday, 3-7pm), when margs are just $4.95 for a glass, $14.95 for a half-pitcher, or $28.95 for a full pitcher.
2. Classic margarita at Agua 301 ($8)
Navy Yard
Bottomless margaritas with waterfront views? It sounds like the stuff of a beach vacation, but it's a typical weekend brunch at Agua 301 (10:30am-3pm), where you can day-drink your fill of margaritas for just $17. Even outside of brunch, the old-school margs—made with Sauza Blanco Tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice and a splash of fresh orange juice—are a mere $6 at happy hour (3:30-7pm and 9pm-close), when there are also $6 nachos, empanadas and flautas to enjoy alongside them.
1. Frozen margaritas at El Centro/El Centro D.F. ($9-12)
Georgetown/U Street Corridor
Whether shaken or frozen, this duo of hip Mexican restaurants is all about the margaritas, available by the glass or the pitcher in flavors like strawberry, mango, cucumber, and prickly pear. It's also all about the deals: both locations offer margs for just $5 at happy hour (weekdays, 4-7pm), as well as all night on Wednesdays. At the Georgetown location, you can get an even better deal by pairing your margaritas with some free salsa lessons: they're offered from 9-10pm on Wednesdays, followed by dancing until 2am.
