One sip of a turquoise margarita will transport you to a faraway place, with a gentle island breeze that melts your cares away.

Nicos was our second stop on the margarita trail, little known to tourists but revered by local residents. We were thirsty and excited to be there. Tableside service included drinks and the margarita cart rolled straight to our table where our server created a beautiful blue bespoke cocktail as we watched.

While savoring my drink, images of an island paradise drifted through my mind. Make one and re-live your beach vacation at home.

Tequila or Mezcal?

Here in the United States, tequila is the go-to spirit partly because mezcal is a well-kept secret outside Mexico. The Oaxacan spirit is made from multiple varieties of agave and baked in underground pits that impart a smokier, more nuanced aroma and flavor. Tequila and mezcal can be used interchangeably in any margarita recipe.

A Word About Margaret

Margaret who? Actress Peggy (Margaret) Lee is frequently cited as the inspiration for the margarita, but it’s more than just a woman’s name. The margarita was created in the late nineteen thirties and is traditionally made with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. Since then, mixologists experimented with everything imaginable and created a rainbow of flavors.