Take a walk on the lighter side with this thirst-quenching cocktail, the Skinny Margarita.
About ten years ago I moved to Los Angeles. After the first few weeks, I ended up settling in Burbank, a place I still love. In fact, I visit my old street fairly often. My friends are there, and I know that neighborhood better than the one I’ve been living in for the past couple of years. I’ll drive out of my way to the movie theater by the mall whenever a new Marvel movie is released. It feels like what Bedrock probably evolved into, a town that looks like it came out of a television show. Which in many ways, it did.
A few blocks from me was a great Mexican restaurant called Tequilas Cantina. I still visit from time to time, as I fell in love long ago with their Taco Tuesdays and Skinny Margaritas. And the Skinny Margarita just happens to be tonight’s recipe. Whenever I’d walk over to Tequilas, my mouth would start watering before I even reached the entrance. It wasn’t just the freshest, spiciest tacos in town that I was craving, but washing them down with a refreshing and biting ice-filled Skinny Margarita also had me salivating. They served big ones, too. Good thing I was always walking home.
Now, here’s the thing with the Skinny Margarita… It’s not that skinny, and it sure as heck isn’t considered a healthier option over the classic Margarita, and is not a diet beverage in any way. If you want one of those, try a Tab or just drink water. What makes this version a little thinner than the others is the absence of simple syrup and orange liqueur or triple sec. But when you compare both this version and the original, they’re not that far apart.
Doesn’t keep it from being delicious, so enjoy.
What Is The Best Tequila To Use In A Skinny Margarita?
A clear and peppery silver, or blanco, tequila is your best bet when making a Skinny Margarita. A top-shelf bottle of something like Patrón Silver will go down smooth on its own, and mixed into this recipe, the grassy and earthy flavors will help bring a nice balance between the lime and orange juices that are used. Don Julio, 1800 and Milagro are also all fine choices, and will help to give you and your friends some delicious drinks.
Ingredients
- Kosher salt or coarse sea salt for rimming the glass
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 ounce agave nectar
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass to wet it, then dip the rim into the salt. Add ice and set the glass aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar.
- Shake well and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Serve this cocktail on the rocks in an Old-Fashioned glass with a salted rim. Garnish with a lime wedge once you’re ready to start sipping.
WHO INVENTED THIS VERSION OF THE COCKTAIL?
My girlfriend claims the reality series The Real Housewives of New York is the reason this drink exists, but I’m pretty sure that’s up for debate. In our house though, she wins.
Other Margaritas Worth Trying
If I had a dollar for every different Margarita that exists out there, I’d probably be a fairly comfortable fella. Anybody who has ever ordered one off a menu has probably run across many varied styles and riffs on the popular summertime and vacation classic. If you’re curious to try a few of them out, but aren’t sure where to start, begin with a few of these.
- Cucumber Margarita – Both spicy and refreshing, this version brings a little heat to the party.
- Mezcal Margarita – Make your next ‘Rita a smoky one by swapping the tequila with mezcal.
- The Tommy’s Margarita – Don’t miss out on sampling one of the most popular cocktails out there.
- Cadillac Margarita – Upgrade your drinking experience with this luxurious sipper.
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