By Syazlynia Rahim

We reckon more than one woman named Margarita have played a part in inspiring barmen across Mexico to create the Margarita cocktail we’re all familiar with today. Although there has always been a consensus on the essential ingredients (tequila, Cointreau/Triple Sec, lime/lemon juice), its beauty lies in the fact that personalising it is effortless – you can play around with the nuances of different tequilas, choose between Cointreau or Triple Sec for sweetness of taste, or make a decision between lime or even ginger and basil. It’s a drink that may appear in many various guises all around the world but there are plenty of Margarita variations out there to suit your individual palate.

When drunk on its own, tequila can be responsible for some of our (well, mine anyway) worst alcoholic excesses. When served in a Margarita, however, its inclusion has universal appeal and it’s blatantly obvious why it’s the leading ingredient in this popular cocktail. Also, we mustn’t forget the salt. The trick is to rub the inside of a squeezed out lime around the outer rim of the cocktail glass, then roll on the salt to ensure that it sticks. You wouldn’t want salt anywhere else on the glass (inside or on top, for example) as its function is to give your lips a short burst of saltiness, not make the whole drink taste salty. As cocktails go, the Margarita is particularly resilient; it’s lasted long after its rumoured introduction in the 1950s and we’re pretty sure it will endure for longer still. It’s still the best thing out there capable of anesthetising us against the humdrum of daily life.

Alright, enough talking – it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s always cocktail hour somewhere. So, refer below for our favourite places to drink it.

Where to drink me?

Frontera Bar & Grill
18-8-2, Block L, Palm Square, Jaya One, Jalan Universiti, PJ (03 7958 8515)
This Tex-Mex joint provides margarita-lovers with the legendary Sauza Hornitos Reposado tequila – yes, the one made from 100 per cent blue agave. They give generous amounts of it in their cocktails and it goes down smoother than a James Bond pick-up line. You know they mean business when they use only the freshest limes and agave nectar as a sweetener.

7atenine
Ascott Kuala Lumpur, No 9, Jalan Pinang, KL (03 2161 7789/www.sevenatenine.com)
Even though we think calling their creations ‘haute couture’ is a bit of a stretch, you can’t help but admire the various Margaritas on offer here. Whether you’re a bit girly and prefer your drink as such (try the raspberry margarita, made with raspberry coulis) or want something a little different (the broken bamble margarita – prepared with crème de cassis – is lush), there’s one to suit any occasion.

Palate Palette Restaurant & Bar
21 Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari, KL (03 2142 2148/www.palatepalette.com)
Sharing is caring here so we recommend getting your Margaritas in by buying jugs of this stuff. We’re sure you and your mates will be able to decide between a dizzying array of colourful choices of this cocktail: blue, golden, peach or strawberry. If it’s just you (and that’s okay, more for yourself), their traditional margarita – make a choice between frozen or shaken – prepared with the traditional ingredients is equally lovely.