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In Texas, Mexican restaurants usually stake claim to the most-loved margaritas, but these days its local bars are putting their own spin on the classic cocktail.
Owned and operated by a group of self-proclaimed “cocktail freaks,” Anvil Bar & Refuse (713-523-1622) is known for its artfully prepared libations made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Housed in a 1950s tire store, Anvil’s emphasizes a bygone era, when simple elegance and craftsmanship reined supreme — evident in everything from the house-made bitters and infusions to the vintage stemware. How does it take on the margarita? Simple: orange liqueur, 100 percent blue agave tequila, and lime. No salt. But true to form, Anvil raises the bar — with ice cubes. Crushed ice dilutes a cocktail in the shaking. These mixologists use hard, slow-melting ice that holds up when shaken. Double-strained into a champagne coupe, this ’rita doesn’t disappoint.
Washington Avenue’s eco-friendly bar Sugarcane (713-864-9463) proves it is easy being green. Set along the eastern end of the Washington Corridor, Sugarcane serves creative drinks made with fresh, natural ingredients. Owned by Doyle and Andrew Adams — the duo behind Washington Avenue Drinkery and the dearly missed Corkscrew wine bar — are devoted to minimizing their carbon footprint and serving delicious drinks. Their margarita is made with organic tequila and locally sourced limes. Sugarcane’s recipe swaps the triple sec for agave nectar in an effort to decrease the refined sugar in the cocktail. Sounds like a sweet plan to us.
A margarita roundup in Houston would be incomplete without a shout out to Washington Avenue’s Salt Bar (713-868-5155). Next door to Pearl Bar, Salt pays homage to the limey libation with an endless assortment margaritas that attracts a bevy of young professionals. Frozen, up, or on the rocks; topped with peach, pomegranate, or a premium Chambord — whichever way you want it, Salt will serve it. There’s even the 140- calorie Skinny version that pairs Partida tequila, lime, and organic agave nectar.
