The Margarita Trail

Traversing the margarita trail along the Altaplancie Mexicana is an eye-opening mixological experience. From classic tequila and lime to adventurous strawberry mezcal creations, all had the desired effect. They are thirst quenching, attitude adjusting delights that excited our taste buds before amazing, authentic Mexican meals. We chased the flavored rainbow from sunup to sundown until we reached trail’s end. There, we discovered not shamrocks, leprechauns nor gold in the pot. We found margaritas!

Tequila or Mezcal

The popularity of mezcal surprised us. We learned that unlike tequila, it’s made with multiple varieties of agave and smoked underground in pits. The difference between oven baked and roasted agave is the smokier, more nuanced flavor. Oaxaca and neighboring states in southern Mexico is the home of mezcal and it’s beginning to emerge from tequila’s shadow. Our experience was a revelation and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked each host along the way to declare their favorite and their universal reply was mezcal. Acclaimed Mexican chefs Eduardo Garcia and Oswaldo Oliva both declared themselves “Mezcal men”.

I love both, and you may use tequila or mezcal in any margarita recipe.

A Word About Margarita?

Margarita means daisy in Spanish, but no one claims it was named after a flower. Stories abound, but inevitably they say it’s named after actress Peggy (Margaret) Lee, or others with similar names. The original daisy cocktail is remarkably similar to today’s margarita, but made with brandy. Is it possible that the brandy in the original “daisy” was replaced with tequila and became the new “margarita”? You decide.

Final Words

Touring Mexico City and its surrounds was a fascinating journey and opportunity to learn more about Mexico and its people. I learned things that weren’t in my history books and confirmed food and drink bridges all cultures. The margarita trail is my metaphor to describe the joyous experience my friends and I shared while there. You can be a part of our journey by sampling these delicious margaritas.

Classic

Every journey starts at the beginning and that means a classic margarita. Made with silver tequila, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur, this is the mother’s milk of all margaritas!