"Few drinks feel as fun and celebratory as the margarita. Perfect for summer gatherings, outdoor lounging, and poolside sipping, these sunny-hued libations are bright, cool, and refreshing with just the right balance of sourness, sweetness, and saltiness to delight the senses. If you enjoy making margaritas at home, Ina Garten's budget-friendly tip of using inexpensive tequila is sure to make these puckery potions pop in an unexpected way."
"In a throwback video of "Barefoot Contessa" shared by Food Network, Garten whips up margaritas for a clambake and makes a surprising confession. She explains, "The curious thing about margaritas that I've found is that they don't come out very good if you use really good tequila." At first, this statement may seem confusing - why would less expensive tequila equal better flavor? She clarifies, however, sharing that it's best to avoid "dark, golden tequila.""
"What she's likely referring to are aged tequila variants like reposado (aged two to twelve months) and añejo (aged one to three years). These oak-aged tequilas can boast complex flavor profiles with hints of caramel, vanilla, honey, clove, and cinnamon. They often cost a premium price, making them best enjoyed neat. Not only would these richly spiced flavors clash with a fresh margarita, but the nuanced subtleties of these pricier tequilas would also get lost in the cocktail."
Margaritas deliver a bright, balanced mix of sourness, sweetness, and saltiness ideal for warm-weather gatherings. A budget-friendly approach favors inexpensive clear tequila for margaritas over oak-aged golden tequilas. Aged variants such as reposado and añejo develop caramel, vanilla, honey, clove, and cinnamon notes that can clash with fresh margarita ingredients and have their subtleties obscured when mixed. Oak-aged tequilas typically command higher prices and serve better when sipped neat. Choosing tequila that complements the cocktail and avoiding unnecessary expense yields a fresher, more harmonious margarita.
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