Bottoms up, y'all — it's National Margarita Day.
While any proper Tex-Mex or Mex-Mex establishment or any well-equipped cocktail bar should be able to serve you with a tasty tequila treat, sometimes it's not worth the risk. Here are some CultureMap staffers' fool-proof Houston favorites.
Ninfarita from Ninfa's on Navigation
"You can't do better than the classic at Houston's best Tex-Mex restaurant." - Chris Baldwin, network news director and managing editor Houston
The Champ from El Gran Malo
"Hands down, this is my favorite margarita in town. Infuse some tequila with vanilla and habanero. Add some muddled blueberry, lemon juice, lime juice and Douglas fir essence . . . That's right — Douglas fir essence." - Tyler Rudick, staff writer
The Chingon from Saint Genevieve
"It has that spicy jalapeno kick to it, the agave lends just the right amount of sweetness — plus, it's strong." - Emily Goetz, marketing coordinator
Blood Orange Margarita from Benjy's
"It's more refined, the kind of margarita you drink with your pinkie up." - Joel Luks, listings editor and video coordinator
Frozen Neon Blue Margarita from Club No Minor
"'Been to Club No Minor lately? No worries, we won't tell' is the slogan and the popular hangout at El Patio Mexican Restaurant on Westheimer.
"Its claim to fame: Neon blue margs that will knock you on your ass — or have you dancing on the table. Humor has it the secret ingredient in these concoctions is Everclear, but that's not a fact. Maybe because everyone happily forgets to ask." - Barbara Kuntz, photo editor
House Margarita from Bocados
"This Montrose neighborhood hangout has been around forever. I like my margarita frozen with no salt — it doesn't have any fancy tequila, but it's potent enough to make me glad that the restaurant is only a block away from my house, so I can order a second one without worrying if I'm sober enough to drive home." - Clifford Pugh, editor-in-chief
Escalante's No. 4 from Escalante's
"I know it's a chain, but I love their margs. They use fresh lime juice and they aren't too sweet, and I usually request them without any Cointreau for extra tartness." - Anna Domning, office manager
Platinum Margarita from El Tiempo Cantina
"Houston original Tex Mex 'rita, courtesy of the Laurenzo recipe." - Michael Mandola, marketing maven
"I order mine with Petrón Silver. It packs a punch and it's delicious." -Shelby Hodge, editor at large
Top Shelf Margarita from Armando's
"Nothing better than Armando's rice and beans and a top shelf marg on the rocks." - Meredith Riddle, senior account executive
The Greatest Margarita Ever Sold at Hugo's
"Smooth, sweet and tart, and well worth a special occasion splurge." - Whitney Radley, staff writer
Looking for a deal? El Real Tex-Mex Cafe will offer $1.99 margaritas, frozen or on the rocks, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday. Sound off on your local favorites in the comments below.
El Real Tex-Mex Cafe will celebrate National Margarita Day with $1.99 margaritas from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Kevin Fink, left, and Tavel Bristol-Joseph, right, at the 2022 Southern Smoke Festival. Photo by Emily Jaschke