Highland Park Restaurateurs Share Margarita Secrets

The fifth of May--or Cinco de Mayo as it’s most commonly known--is one of those holidays that inspires the masses to celebrate, mostly through the imbibing of high gravity spirits. Alcohol is likely to get poured, beer caps will get popped off and rims of margarita glasses will be coated in salt.

The holiday is well worth celebrating, responsibly, with a stiff drink. In 1862, with the United States embroiled in a civil war of its own, Mexican troops defeated a French army of about 8,000 in the city of Puebla. The French, under Napoleon III, had set up shop in Mexico a few months earlier, and refused to make themselves scarce. It took more than a year for the Mexican armies to eventually banish their French occupiers, but the May 5 victory is cited as a major turning point in the struggle. Historians also allot some credit to the Mexican soliders for the Union's triumph over the Confederacy, to whom Napoleon III was supposedly interested in supporting with weaponry and other provisions.

So now that we've established why we're celebrating, let's talk about how you can do it!

Highland Park is filled with Mexican eateries, yet only two have full bars, making a stiff margarita hard to come by. We’ve highlighted the ingredients you’ll find in the margaritas being concocted at these neighborhood establishments. Venture out and give them a try, or stay at home and mix them up yourself.

The best selection of margaritas can be found at . The restaurant features specialty margaritas which include the Spicy Margarita, Ocho Plata Margarita, La Rosa Margarita, Dee’s Gold Margarita and the Top Shelf Margarita. Sip on a mixture of triple sec, sweet and sour, pineapple juice and Asombroso Reposado Tequila, otherwise known as La Rosa Margarita. The Spicy Margarita contains sweet and sour, mango purée, Absolut Mandarin, Corzo Silver Tequila, and is garnished with a few slices of jalapeño. Freshly squeezed lime juice, Ocho Silver Tequila, Cointreau Triple Sec, along with sweet and sour, make up the Ocho Plata Margarita.

Dee’s Gold Margarita is poured with triple sec, sweet and sour, lime juice which has been freshly squeezed, and José Cuervo Gold Tequila. The Top Shelf Margarita is poured with Cazadores Silver Tequila, Cointreau Triple Sec, sweet and sour and lime juice.

serves four margaritas--strawberry, banana, melon and lemon. The Salazar family uses a combination of 1800 tequila, sweet and sour, and a 35-year-old secret family recipe to create its signature margaritas.

Margaritas can also be made with wine, just substitute it for tequila. prepares its margaritas with a blend of wine, Tequiza Agave, and Island Oasis frozen drink mix.

Ruben Capine, who owns on Monte Vista St., doesn’t serve hard liquor at his place of business, but he said all margaritas have the same base which consists of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Capine also said that the quality of the brands of alcohol used will determine the quality of the margarita.

Variations of margaritas can be made using pre-made mixers and different fruits, and is usually served blended or on the rocks. Additionally, margaritas served on the rocks tend to have a higher alcohol content.