The margarita is one of the best-known Mexican drinks. It is popular throughout the United States and is served in a lot of Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. If you've never ordered a margarita before, however, there are a few things that are helpful to know before you walk up to the bar or before placing your order with your server.
The default is to serve a margarita on the rocks.
You may have seen margaritas that looked like slush and were made in a blender. These are typically known as frozen margaritas. They're pretty easy to find and many people like them, but they are not the classic way to serve a margarita. Unless the menu says "frozen margarita" or you specifically ask for a frozen one, you can expect your margarita to be served over ice. This presentation is known as "on the rocks." This presentation works well for a margarita since the drink is quite strong. Serving it over ice means the ice will slowly melt into the drink, bringing it to a more enjoyable, drinkable state.
The stuff on the rim is salt.
The white stuff on the rim of a margarita glass is not sugar as people often assume. It is salt. This may sound strange at first, but definitely try it before you write it off. The salt balances out the strong flavors of the citrus juice and tequila in a way you wouldn't expect. Some people work their way around the rim of the glass, eating all of the salt by the time their drink is gone. Others sip from the same spot each time, enjoying just a little of the salt. If you find you don't like the salt, you can usually ask for it to be left off. But know that for many, the salt is an essential part of the margarita experience.
They can be made with tequila or mezcal.
Traditionally, margaritas are made with tequila. Really, any tequila can be used, and bars often design their own "specialty" margaritas using specific tequilas. However, margaritas can also be made with mezcal, a liquor very similar to tequila but with more of a smoky flavor. If you enjoy mezcal, asking for a mezcal margarita can be a great choice.
Now that you know a little more about margaritas, you're prepared to order one and truly enjoy it. Take a sip, and enjoy what it has to offer.
