The Perfect Margarita

Ditch the limeade: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a perfect margarita

The margarita may be Houston's favorite cocktail, and no one knows more about what makes a good one than Pico's Mex-Mex. For 30 years, the restaurant has been serving its signature perfect margarita to hordes of happy Houstonians.

In order to get some advice about how to make the drink properly for Cinco de Mayo, CultureMap turned to Pico's beverage director Monica Richards, the daughter of chef/owner Arnaldo. In the video above, she takes us through the importance of freshly squeezed lime juice and the value of high-quality tequila. Shaken together with agave nectar and orange liqueur and served straight up, the ingredients come together with the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

Over the four days Houstonians will celebrate Cinco, Richards estimates the restaurant will serve 10,000 margaritas. What to pair with it? Well, TexasMonthly recently named the chilorio pork one of the city's best dishes, and Pico's signature fried soft shell crabs are always a good choice.

Pico's Perfect Margarita Recipe

1 1/2 ounce Herradura Silver tequila
1 ounce Cointreau orange liqueur
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar

Fill a shaker with ice. Add lime juice, agave nectar, liqueur and tequila. Shake vigorously. Pour into a martini glass, salt rim optional.

blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

Drunken Lab Lit-Mas holiday pop-up bar

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

A taste of Manhattan has made its way to Houston with the immersive LIT-Mas Spectacular holiday pop-up. From now until January 12, Houstonians can discover the hype behind New York City’s The Drunken Lab that's known for its unique blend of science and cocktails.

This pop-up marks the first expansion for The Drunken Lab’s parent company, Science and Sip, a concept created to make science accessible and unforgettable. Attendees can dive into holiday-themed science experiments — including explosive endothermic reactions — while enjoying festive cocktails in a winter wonderland setting enhanced with a live DJ. Appropriately, the pop-up is located in the Museum District at 4715 Main Street.

“Houston was the perfect next step for Science and Sip,” founder Cautney Nelson said in a statement. “The city’s vibrant culture, love of celebration, and ties to science through world-famous programs like NASA aligns beautifully with our mission to blend entertainment with discovery.”

Visitors enter a world filled with larger-than-life gingerbread decor and candy-inspired installations where light bulbs and laboratory flasks have been transformed into quirky beverage containers. Admission includes one cocktail or mocktail, a lab coat and goggles, and two to three science experiments. Add-ons like cocktail-filled ornament “Booze Balls” and Grinch-inspired pouches in festive red and green add an extra dose of holiday charm.

“We’re thrilled to host guests for an immersive holiday experience that merges festive fun with curiosity,” Nelson added. “With each pop-up, we aim to create a space where a great party and exploration come together, and we’re excited to see how Houston embraces The LIT-Mas Spectacular.”

A portion of the proceeds from LIT-Mas will benefit Millennial Scnce, a nonprofit founded by Nelson that provides students with accessible STEM resources and educational opportunities.

Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with showtimes at 2:30 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. Private party and group bookings are also available.

Drunken Lab Lit-Mas holiday pop-up bar

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

cocktails holidays museum district nightlife

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