Whether they're shaken or frozen, and 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 Saturday-night fiesta a delicious one.
5. Blood orange margarita at Lolita
Market East
The contemporary Mexican eatery, which recently received its new liquor license, has been churning out delicious margaritas since it opened for business. It has a variety of tequila-based margaritas, cocktails and sangrias, but its most popular drink is the Blood Orange Margarita—and for the right seasons. The refreshing beverage, pictured above, comes with tequila blanco, blood orange, lime, salt on the rim and a mint leaf for garnish. On a regular day the drink will cost you $9.50 for a glass and $38 for a pitcher, but go during happy hour and a glass of this tequila goodness will run $6 a pop. Pair that with some $5 bar bites like nachos verde, crispy fava bean patties, carne asada empanadas and more and you'll be going home feeling full, tipsy and happy.
4. Perfect margarita at Xochitl
Headhouse Square
Pronounced like " So Cheet," this local Mexican food joint—complete with Mexican tiles carved woodwork, bright colored walls and candles hung as chandeliers—serves traditional Mexican dishes in a small, cozy space. The eatery, which means "flower" in Nahuatl, offers a variety of drinks to choose from but the most popular drink is the Perfect Margarita. The concoction is made with El Jimador Reposado, Grand Marnier, Patrón Citrónge, fresh squeezed lime and simple syrup for $13. If you visit during happy hour you'll get $1 off your bill and get to chow down on a few bar bites like chipotle BBQ chicken, taquitos de barbacoa, chilaquiles and more for $5 each.
3. Frozen margaritas at El Vez
Market East
If $13 is a bit steep for you, then take a ten-minute drive over to El Vez for some frozen margaritas that are just as tasty but not quite as pricey. The ornate eatery, with plush purple sofas and a circular bar that has a light-up bicycle hanging above it, offers ten different margaritas for sale. Drinks range from the 'Pink Cadillac Margarita" (silver tequila, triple sec, fresh orange, lime and cranberry juices), to the "Perfecto" (el jimador blanco, cointreau, grand marnier, fresh lime juice) and more, either on the rocks or frozen. A glass will cost you between $9.50-$12.00 and a pitcher will cost $40-$48.
2. Roses margarita at Tequilas
Rittenhouse Square
With a name like Tequilas, you can sure bet that there will be a margarita that satisfies everyone in the group. The most popular cocktail by far is the Rose Margarita, which comes with rose petals infused in Siembra Valles Blanco, fresh lime juice and St. Germain, complete with some salt and spicy chili pepper for $12. It's not cheap, but the eatery participates in SIPS all summer so you'll get $5 off cocktails and 15 percent off your entire bill if you choose to stay for a meal. So grab a few friends, leave the car at home and make it a night to remember.
1. La preferida at Bar Bombón
Rittenhouse Square/Penn Center
Last but not least, if you've never tried a beet margarita before then you need to visit Bar Bombón immediately. Unlike the other restaurants mentioned above, the Puerto Rican eatery specializes in vegan cuisine and makes all of its dishes and drinks with plant-based ingredients and non-GMO soy and organic grains. La Preferida, which is one of four margaritas on its menu, is made with tequila blanco, beet, habanero and lime for $12 a glass and $46 a pitcher. Pair your drink with bites like street corn (chipotle crema, almond parmesan, cilantro), sweet plantains (fried sweet plantains, cilantro, crema), buffalo cauliflower tacos (avocado, green goddess, black bean puree, mirepoix) and more and you may become a vegan for life.
