Yes, I’m talking about the universal appeal ofmargaritasto beat the heat.
This drink is just about as synonymous with the summer months asbarbecuesand the beach.
Though you could obviously drink margaritas in any weather, it just tastes better on a hot day.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That!
Your party is on the way.
Luckily, there’s been an upsurge in quality in this particular category of ready-to-drink mixes.
No longer are the only options neon green and filled with artificial ingredients and massive amounts of sugar.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
It’s the mixer I used to grab on the booze aisle while I was getting my tequila.
You’ll notice a lot of the mixes call for a similar two-to-one ratio.
I’m going to bet it’s due to the high fructose corn syrup.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
So this might actually be a decent option for those of you who don’t like margaritas with salt.
On first sip, you might tell this mix is made with artificial sweetener, not agave.
The sweetness doesn’t stick around on the palate like agave does.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
I couldn’t get any hint of the tequila taste, eitherthe mix eclipses it.
While this was lowest on the list, I didn’t hate it.
It was very sour, but in a totally different way than Jose Cuervo.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
The look:Nice and light, almost like lemon or lime juice itself.
The taste:Strangely enough, apple is the strongest note in this mix.
Right on the label it lets you know this is gluten free, kosher, and vegan.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
The recipe is back to the two-to-one recommendation, two ounces of tequila to four ounces of mix.
The look:This one truly is almost translucent.
It’s a blueish-white color, though, not leaning into green like some of the others.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
I think it’s the lightest in color of all the mixes I sampled.
But the whole point of a margarita is balance between those two sides.
It’s lost in the sweetness.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
There’s a nice prickly pear middle note, but it disappears into the sugary taste pretty quickly.
As far as the salt, it kind of erases the nice fruity middle note.
So again, maybe prepare your drink without salt if you purchase this one.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
It was actually a pretty cool packaging job and gave this a contemporary feel that I really liked.
I would feel cool showing up to a party with this.
The Filthy margarita recipe calls for 1.5 ounces of tequila to three ounces of mix.
Photo: Caitlin White, Eat This, Not That!
The look:This one is a very light yellow color, but still the darkest drink so far.
My guess is the agave and the real lime juice are what contribute to the darker color.
It goes well with the salt.
It’s got a sweet honey flavor that’s more nuanced than honey.
But it’s still a little more mellow than some other agave-heavy drinks I’ve had before.
It’s also not really boozy at all.
This one could’ve gone either way as far as salt.
I found it in a different part of the store altogether, over by the sauces.
The directions call for a ratio of three ounces of tequila to two ounces of mix.
It’s the only ratio in this entire survey to put the alcohol higher than the mix!
So I left it out.
Just a touch of acid here, as the orange mellows out the lime juice.
This one is a really nice option… if you’re able to find it!
It’s made with all organic ingredients, including agave, lime, and orange juice.
The ratio is another two-to-one setup, so I did 1.5 ounces of tequila to three ounces of mix.
Organic agave, no less!
This one was the darkest mixes I tried.
That’s not a bad thing, just a reference note for fellow shoppers.
Finally, that balance that I was looking for is here!
But unlike that scenario, I don’t taste much booze here.
That plus the orange overload held this one back from the top three.
Because of how sweet it is, salt is a must.
It almost got there.
That’s what an ingredient list like this one will get you.
There’s something super appealing about the bubbles on top.
It’s much more citrusy than any other variety.
it’s possible for you to really taste the quality.
The producer suggests a two-to-one recipe with two ounces of tequila to four ounces of mix.
It’s exactly the color of a margarita from a restaurant bar.
The taste:Excellent!
The taste:This margarita goes down really smooth!
There’s no bitterness or aftertaste, no acid or overt sharpness like some mixes.
That honeyed note is balanced with a little citrus and a little heat from the tequila.
It makes for the perfect drink on a hot day.
