Forget the rules and opt for out-of-the-box Margarita recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Today may mark what is arguably our most popular drinking holiday (move over Mardi Gras and St. Patty’s Day) but that doesn’t mean we have to stick to ho-hum guidelines when it comes to Cinco de Mayo’s top drink, the Margarita. These three South Florida spots scoff at tradition and offer unique recipes to make at home, each adding spicy, sweet and overall unexpected twists to the annual festivities. ¡Salud!

Spicy Rita from Cocktails at The Lincoln Eatery

Cocktails at The Lincoln Eatery’s Spicy Rita cocktail features a refreshing blend of Bloody Mary mix, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, jalapeño, and agave nectar. Staying true to its Mexican roots, the Spicy Rita is topped off with the popular Mexican seasoning, Tajin.

Ingredients

4 oz Bloody Mary mix

2 oz tequila

1 oz Cointreau

1/2 oz lime juice

1 jalapeño

1 tsp agave nectar

1 dash of Tajin

Preparation

Rim the glass with agave nectar and Tajin. Slice the jalapeño and remove its core and seeds. Add 3 slices of jalapeño in a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add ice in the shaker. Add cocktail mix, tequila Cointreau and lime juice. Shake vigorously. Strain the cocktail into the glass.

Tamarindo Margarita from The Drawing Room at Shelborne South Beach

Created by renowned mixologist Christopher Hudnall, The Drawing Room’s Tamarindo Margarita is made with Alipus Mezcal, tamarind paste, canela agave, lime, and completed with a dash of Angostura bitters. Garnished with double ginger candy and a lime wheel, this cocktail is the perfect way to honor the almost-sacred tequila and lime drink from the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients

2 oz Alipus mezcal

1/2 oz tamarind paste

1/2 oz canela agave

.75 oz lime

1 dash angostura bitters

Garnish: double ginger candy and lime wheel

Preparation

Coat the rim of a rocks glass with salt, fill with ice and set aside. Add the remaining ingredients to a shaker and fill with fresh ice. Shake and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and double ginger candy.

Dragon Margarita from Casa Sensei

At Casa Sensei, Fort Lauderdale’s Pan-Asian, Latin-Fusion restaurant, the Dragon Margarita’s spicy combination of Avion Tequila, Thai chili peppers, blood orange puree, yuzu juice, orange bitters and spiced rum make it a favorite of diners.

Ingredients

1 oz Avion Tequila

1 pinch Thai chile peppers

1 oz blood orange puree

2 oz Yuzu juice

1 pinch orange bitters

1 splash spiced rum

Preparation

Combine tequila, purée, juice and bitters. Shake in a cocktail shaker with ice and pour into a rocks glass. Splash rum as a floater and garnish with peppers around the glass.

No time to get ingredients? Follow us @indulgemiami where we share where to find takeout margarita packages all over Miami.