Worth their salt

By Will Semons | Also by this reporter

Monday, May 1, 2006

Rumor has it the first margaritas were created by women who only liked tequila, and the drink sprang from the sweetening of their favorite liquor. Of course, Californians claim they created it in the 1930s. And then there are the crazies who swear it was born from the Devil himself—my favorite. In preparation for Cinco de Mayo, 225 sent me out to discover—and yes, enjoy—my favorite margaritas in Baton Rouge. Here’s my personal Top 5. Let the healing begin.

#5 Superior Grill’s Top Shelf Frozen Superior Margarita

Cost: $9.50

Ingredients: Fresh squeezed lime juice, sugar, 3 to 4 oz. Havolina Silver Tequila and 2 oz. Bol’s Triple Sec.

This would be the drink for me if I were in hell, or possibly after a long AA meeting. The price tag may seem steep, but two of these will set anyone straight for a morning buzz. Plus, it’s not like they serve it in a Dixie cup. Superior has been a staple of Baton Rouge dining for a long time, and this is one reason.

#4 Casa Maria’s Strawberry Mango Frozen Margarita

Cost: $5.50

Ingredients: 1 oz. freshly blended strawberries, 1 oz. mango juice, 3 oz. Sauza Gold, splash of sweet and sour, lime juice and Triple Sec.

Fans of strawberry, mango and tequila must wrap their lips around this creation, a margarita for the sweet tooth. It may not look very big, but it packs a solid punch to the love handles. The tequila flavor is almost unrecognizable, and for novice drinkers, this is a mug of frozen love.

#3 The Chimes’ Top Shelf Margarita on the Rocks

Cost: $7.25

Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. Patron Silver Tequila, 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier, splash of lime and orange juice and The Chimes’ secret margarita mix.

Also known as the “Stevie G. Margarita,” the Patron in this one makes it much smoother than the sewer water house tequila. Tasting the orange and lime juice brings me back to hopscotch in the schoolyard and Jolly Ranchers as a high school choirboy. These ’ritas are the perfect size to sip on or slam. Beware this quick buzz is easy to drink, easy to enjoy and tight on the wallet. In one word: Delicious.

#2 Serrano’s Signature Martini Up

Cost: $7.95

Ingredients: 1/2 oz. Tres Generaciones, 3/4 oz. Cointreau, 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier and a whole fresh squeezed lime.

Some will say, “How could you put a martini in your list of Top 5 margaritas?” True, it is a martini by name, but its heart embraces all the makings of a good Mexican time. Piñatas will be destroyed and burritos engulfed, while you sip what the gods of Montezuma once forbade an entire nation from tasting. The key is the whole lime, handpicked by Juan Valdez’s brother, Karl. The amount of alcohol is ridiculous, too, making this a drink to set your face on fire—but in a really good way.

#1 Zippy’s Black Tie Margarita

Cost: $9

Ingredients: 4 oz. Jose Cuervo Black Medal Tequila, 4 oz. Cointreau, 4 oz. Gran Gala, 2 oz. sweet and sour, splash of lime juice and Sprite.

This Top Shelf Margarita at Zippy’s may look like bourbon on the rocks, but the powerful, brown drink tastes like a golden adventure in an adult Candy Land. Your pallet will thank you, and based on the enormous size, your wallet won’t mind either. It’s big enough for two, but let’s just say I drank the whole thing and never thought twice about sharing it. Yep. Let’s just say that. Dismissed.

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