Celebrate Margarita Day at home with these simple yet sophisticated cocktails

If you’re looking for an excuse to splash out with a cocktail or two, look no further than National Margarita Day. You need only wait until the 22^nd February for this most welcome of arbitrary annual events – and even better, it’s on a Monday, so you can start the week the right way. For those who fancy indulging in this classic tequila-based tipple, it’s time to get out the glasses and get ordering – we’ve selected some of the best options (both pre-mixed bottles and recipes) that will deliver straight to your door like a personal lockdown bartender.

Try out Hacha’s re-imagined Mirror Margarita with The Lost Explorer Mezcal

In celebration of National Margarita Day, The Lost Explorer Mezcal has partnered with agave specialist bar Hacha to reimagine the iconic and award-winning Mirror Margarita created by Brand Ambassador and agave expert Deano Moncrieffe. The crystal-clear Mirror Margarita is Hacha’s signature serve, recognised as the Seventh Best Cocktail in the World by Time Out, and the newly developed twist on this iconic cocktail is championed by the unique flavour profile of The Lost Explorer Mezcal’s award-winning Espadín varietal, with a smoky finish. The Mezcal Mirror Margarita is available to order online for nationwide delivery.

Get a world-class bar experience with a limited-edition margarita set designed by the Connaught

The two award-winning mixologists behind the World’s Best Bar, Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani, are letting customers experience the class of the Connaught from the comfort of their own home by offering up a set of three special cocktail expressions. The Alpha, Omega and Sigma pay homage to the traditional margarita by exploring the variety of flavours that the drink can offer, featuring notes of coriander seed bitters and handmade orange liqueur. The package is available on The Drinks Drop for just £35, and if that isn’t convincing enough, it’s ethical too: all the profits are being donated to the Covid charity fund of the Drinks Trust in support of the hospitality industry.

Stay simple with the purist flavours of Three Sheets Margarita

Keep this iconic tipple refined by staying classic with a brand you can trust. Three Sheets bar has launched a range of bottled cocktails to bring the table service straight to you. Their pre-prepared margarita is made with Ocho Tequila, lime and orange, with a hint of neroli and a pinch of salt. Batched, bottled and ready to drink, this concoction can be ordered online on Shop Cuvée. Just chill in the fridge and serve over ice – no garnish required.

Turn up the heat with Swift’s Spicy Margarita

If you want something less conventional on a year that has defied all convention, you could turn the heat up a little with Swift’s Spicy Margarita. A zingy blend of agave spirits, Ancho Verde green chilli and pineapple liqueurs, coriander and green bell pepper syrup and lime makes this the perfect afternoon sharpener. A piquant green spice is perfectly matched by the tart pineapple and smoky agave. Pouches are available online in two sizes. Serve over ice with some green herbs such as mint or coriander and a generous wedge of lime.

Refresh yourself with Tayēr’s Bergamot Margarita

These cocktails may look more like medicine bottles, but they are in fact a much tastier way to feel better and lift your winter mood. Try the Old Street bar’s bergamot-flavoured margarita for a citrus twist that’s light and refreshing. This option is perfect for sipping if you’re worried about work the next day but still want to indulge. Their blend incorporates Ocho Blanco Tequila, QuiQuiRiQui Tobala Mezcal, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, Cocchi Americano, Bergamot and Citrus Cordial. Buy a 300ml bottle online for £30.

Enjoy an Italian twist with Tommy’s Margarita from NIO

Bright, citrusy and refreshing, Tommy’s Margarita is a modern variation on the classic margarita cocktail that really allows the tequila to shine. Ideal for summer parties and get-togethers, Tommy’s Margarita cocktail combines Jose Cuervo tequila, Toschi Agave Syrup and organic citric acid for a sharp and delicious flavour. As is the case with all of NIO’s cocktails, no other ingredients or equipment is required. Simply tear off the corner and pour the drink in a glass over ice to enjoy. Each cocktail is expertly mixed in Milan, Italy and available to order online.

Keep it casual with Calloo Callay’s Blood Orange Margarita

Nothing has been clear so far in 2021, so why should your margarita be? Bring some warm colour to this notoriously grey month with Calooh Callay’s juicy Blood Orange Margarita. The bottle comes in two generous sizes – 500ml or 750ml – for up to ten delicious serves. This London bar are offering up nationwide delivery, bringing quality cocktails to all living rooms without requiring anyone to reserve a table or dress up – though some of us might be inclined to do the latter just to get out of our jeans. Order online here.

Create your own perfect margarita with these five easy recipes

Alternatively, if you don’t want to miss out on the fun of making your own cocktails, you could choose from our top five margarita recipes.

Shake up a classic with the Nonsuch Shrubs X Ocho Tequila Rose Margarita Kit

This National Margarita Day, why not opt for a twist on the classic and create a beautiful, floral rose margarita. Each kit contains a full-size bottle of limited-edition tequila Ocho red bottle tequila and a full-size bottle of Nonsuch Wild Hedgerow and Rose shrub to create a bartender-quality serve without the fuss. Mix 60ml tequila, 20ml shrub and 5ml fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice, before straining into a salt-rimmed glass for a showstopping serve. The Nonsuch X Ocho kit is available to purchase here for £34 (usually £42.50).

For a night as classy as Clooney, make your own Casamigos margarita

If anyone knows margaritas, it’s Casamigos Tequila. Created and founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, these small-batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves grown in the Mexico highlands for a smooth and authentic taste, perfect for a margarita. To make your own Casamigos Tequila margarita, pick up a bottle of award-winning Casamigos on Amazon or The Whisky Exchange and check out the recipe below:

Recipe:

60ml Casamigos Blanco tequila
30ml fresh lime juice
10ml fresh orange juice
30ml agave nectar
30ml orange liqueur
Optional: Salt/sugar/orange zest rim

Method:

1. Combine all of the ingredients into a tin shaker.
2. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a rimmed rocks glass.
3. Add fresh ice and garnish with lime wheel through a skewer.
4. Roll rim in optional salt/sugar/orange zest mixture.

For a taste of the tropics try a Cazcabel Tequila Honey Pineapple Margarita

With the fresh, earthy and dry Blanco at its heart, Cazcabel Honey adds a dose of sweet nectar to the blend. The honey used in Cazcabel Honey is made with Yucàtan honey sourced from the fields of Yucàtan in Mexico. Buy a bottle on Amazon, Proof Drinks and Master of Malt for just 24.99 and follow the recipe below.

Ingredients:

30ml Cazcabel Honey
20ml Cazcabel Blanco
25ml lime juice
25ml pineapple juice
5ml agave syrup
Pineapple leaf
Orange peel

Method:

1. Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
3. Garnish with a pineapple leaf and an orange peel twist.

For a unique twist on a classic try a Storywood Tequila Speyside 7 Tommy’s Margarita

Raised over seven months in single malt Speyside Scotch whisky casks, Storywood Speyside 7 Reposado is a tantalisingly two-sided tequila. Notes of caramel, subtly oaky with hints of vanilla and honey, are layered on an earthy, lowland agave base. Order a bottle online for £38.95 from Amazon , Master of Malt and Proof Drinks and follow this simple method.

Ingredients:

50ml Speyside 7 Reposado
25ml lime juice
15ml agave syrup

Method:

1. Shake all of the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Fine strain into a rocks glass over cubed ice.
3. Garnish with a wedge of lime. 

For a zero-alcohol margarita with no compromise on flavour, try a spicy Fluère Juan in a Million

Those who don’t drink can still enjoy the fresh flavours of a margarita. Fluère Smoked Agave has smoke and honey on the nose with fresh notes of pear. On the palate, there is the characteristic vegetal sweetness of agave with some bitter overtones and a hint of black pepper. The flavours develop into eucalyptus and mint, for a long, clean finish. Bottles are available from Ocado, Amazon and shop.fluèredrinks.com for just £20. Check out the recipe below to transform into a classic cocktail.

Ingredients:

Muddled quarter of a red chilli
15ml fresh lime juice
85ml fresh yellow bell pepper juice
25ml Fluère Smoked Agave
15ml Fluère Original
5ml agave syrup
Pinch of salt 

Method:

1. First, cut the chilli into small parts and muddle in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add all of the other ingredients and fill the shaker to the top with ice.
3. Shake and fine strain in a rocks glass with ice.
4. Garnish with a fresh chilli pepper and a long slice of cucumber. 

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