How To Celebrate National Margarita Day In Southwest Florida

I admit to having a love/hate relationship with one of the nation's most popular cocktails, the Margarita. It's not the tequila that does me in, but the cocktail mix. The sugar and acid from a lot of those pre-made mixes just aren't my jam. However, when the juice is squeezed fresh and bartenders use quality ingredients, count me in for a round or two. Look on the menu of almost any restaurant and bar from Marco Island to Port Charlotte and you will likely find not just one, but several types of margaritas and in a wide price range.  Here is how to celebrate National Margarita Day in Southwest Florida.

One of my favorites is the Smoked Margarita at FUSE Gastropub in Naples. Co-owner and bartender Monika Czechowska started smoking this cocktail way before smoke infused drinks became the rage.

The folks at Casino.org took a look at Google Trends to find the most popular type of margarita in each state. Florida's fave was also #1 in the nation, the Skinny Margarita. Coming in at #2 is the classic and the spicy ranks #3. Perhaps you like yours with different fruits such as strawberry or mango. No matter what your preference, today is the day to enjoy them at restaurants and bars across SWFL.

Today is the day. It's National Margarita Day in Southwest Florida. Margarita's are one of the most popular cocktails in the United States according to beverage industry experts. Last year, I wrote this story for the Fort Myers News-Press and Naples Daily News, featuring margaritas in Southwest Florida. It highlights some of the best interpretations of the adult beverage and the restaurants where they are served.

Margaritas come in all shapes and sizes. Do you prefer frozen or on the rocks? Salt or no salt? For a drink that on the surface appears fairly straight forward, it can be quite complex. I find a lot of the margarita mixes hard to swallow. They taste like limeade. However, it's that severe pucker that others crave. Bartenders will tell you it's all about the balance between sweet, sour and salt. When it's right...it's amazing.

For that all important touch of sweet, a lot of mixologists add orange. It can come from the actual fruit itself or an orange liqueur. Adding orange also keep the citrus spirit alive. Take for instance this recipe from Cantera Negra.

Shake and strain first three ingredients over ice in a double rocks glass. Add 2 dashes of orange bitters, giving a nice orange essence without any added sugar.

One of the fun things about margarita's is the flexibility that the base gives bartenders to be creative. Fruits like watermelon can easily be substituted for some of the citrus

If you plan to be or are already in the Orlando area for the day, check out the party planned for Margaritaville Resort. It's a perfect place to celebrate and try the Watermelon Basil Margarita. It was created for the event and it is free for the first 500 attendees. That is going to be a great party. If you can't make it, I have the recipe below so you can give it a go at home. In addition, here are a few more recipes featuring different tequila's for National Margarita Day in Southwest Florida.

Recipe courtesy of Margaritaville Resort Orlando's bartender

Ingredients
8oz Natalie’s Margarita Mix
3oz Cranberry juice
7oz Blanco tequila
Frozen cranberries
Sliced lime
Flaky sea salt

Directions
1. In a cocktail shaker or pitcher combine margarita mix, cranberry juice, tequila, and frozen cranberries. Shake or stir well.
2. Pour into 4 martini glasses (or margarita glasses!).
3. Take a slice of lime and dip half of it in flaky sea salt and garnish the drink with it.
4. Use extra frozen cranberries to keep the drink cold.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Patrón Silver

.5 oz Citrónge Orange Liqueur

1 oz Pineapple juice

.5 oz Lime juice

Tajín rim

Lime wedge for garnish 

Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until combined and chilled. Strain into a Tajín-rimmed rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Flecha Tequila is founded by Mexican-American PGA golfer Abraham Ancer and Mexican entrepreneur Aron Marquez, Flecha Azul is an additive-free tequila, rooted in their bonds of friendship, love for Mexican culture and living the American Dream.

2 oz Flecha Azul Blanco Tequila

¾ oz fresh lime juice

¾ oz triple sec

3 jalapeno slices

Tajin rim

Combine all ingredients into a shaker. Muddle jalapeno slices, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass and add fresh ice.

Made with award-winning 100% Blue Weber Agave from the highlands of Los Altos de Jalisco,

2 oz. Tequila Cazadores Blanco

4 oz. Grapefruit Juice

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

1 oz. Light Agave Nectar 

Salt (for rim)

Remember to drink responsibly.