Celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Here are 6 of our favorite margaritas in Memphis
There is no better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a margarita. Whether you prefer them frozen or on the rocks, Memphis has plenty of restaurants that make a good margarita.
Here are six of my favorite margaritas in Memphis. Five are margaritas with a twist — each one a true Memphis original. I've also included one bonus margarita — an over-the-top version of a classic margarita for those who prefer the taste of a traditional margarita.
Babalu: Baba Rita
Two locations: 6450 Poplar Ave. and 2115 Madison Ave.; eatbabalu.com
The Baba Rita is Babalu's signature drink. It's a classic margarita with pomegranate juice added to the mix. This pink drink is refreshing and just the right balance of tart and sweet.
Las Delicias: Sangria Frozen Margarita
Two locations: 4002 Park Ave. and 5689 Quince Road; lasdeliciasrestaurant.com
The Sangria Frozen Margarita at Las Delicias is the best of both worlds. Sangria is swirled through the classic frozen margarita. It's a fun, colorful drink that goes great with their chips and guacamole.
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River Oaks: Blood Orange Margarita
5871 Poplar Ave.; riveroaksrestaurant.com
One normally wouldn’t think to order a margarita at a restaurant run by a French Master Chef, but the Blood Orange Margarita at River Oaks is a drink not to be missed. The top shelf margarita is tart and sweet thanks to the use of freshly squeezed lime and fresh blood orange juice.
Global Café: MangoRita
1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 157; globalcafememphis.com
The MangoRita at Global Café just may be the most over-the-top margarita in Memphis. A 20-ounce glass of its signature “Juan’s Margarita” (named after the restaurant’s general manager) is garnished with a hand-carved mango “flower” and drizzled with Cholula hot sauce, fresh lime and Tajin sprinkles.
El Mero Taco: Burning Passion
8100 Macon Station, #102, Cordova; elmerotaco.com
If looking for a mezcal-based margarita, El Mero Taco is the place to go. This Cordova restaurant has more than 30 mezcals on the bar. I love the Burning Passion margarita. It is a smoky and sweet libation with a kick thanks to ingredients such as mezcal, passion fruit puree and smoked habanero.
Molly's La Casita: The Half-and-Half Margarita
2006 Madison Ave.; mollyslacasita.com
Molly’s La Casita claims to be the inventor of this brilliant way to serve a margarita — half on the rocks and half frozen. The brilliance behind serving a traditional margarita this way is — when the ice melts, you don’t change the flavor of the margarita.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Best margaritas in Memphis: 6 of our favorites for Cinco de Mayo
