Where To Get Your Staunton Margarita on National Margarita Day

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Have these cold and gloomy winter days got you down? Are you longing for summer weather and a chance to let loose? Saturday, February 22 is National Margarita Day, and it’s time to brighten up the shortest days of the year with a margarita, a frosty concoction of tequila, triple sec, and lime. But the taste sensation doesn’t stop there: bartenders have been putting their secret twists into this classic since the 1940s! From spicy drinks infused with jalapeno to bold mixes of tropical fruits, here’s where to find this sweet, tangy, salty, icy treat in Staunton!

Where to Get a Margarita in Staunton

El Jimador

If you think that a restaurant that shares its name with a brand of tequila probably takes its margarita making seriously, you’d be right about El Jimador. The menu features a dozen brands of tequila and a dozen distinct styles of the drink, ranging from classic lime, strawberry, mango, or peach to spicy margaritas, rum margaritas, and wine sangria margaritas made with house-made margarita mix. The drinks come in medium and large sizes and can be prepared with salt, sugar, or chili-lime Tajin on the rim. And, yes, the extensive menu also features all your favorite Mexican meals!

Gloria’s Pupuseria

Besides a house margarita made with Silver tequila, Gran marnier, and agave nectar, Gloria’s Pupuseria offers three additional flavors, including those made with jalapeno and strawberry-infused tequila. Make sure to enjoy a big plate of pupusas and other Salvadoran delights!

Queen City Bistro

Queen City Bistro serves five different types of tequila as well as a craft cranberry margarita made with Exotico Reposado tequila, cranberry juice, Citronge, and lime with a green sugar rim. You can also get Italian and Southern inspired cocktails from their extensive bar menu. Stick around for a delicious dinner focusing on local ingredients. Try the mushroom ravioli or the caponata formaggio.

Marino’s Lunch

Consider Marino’s Lunch for drinks and live music? Try their specialty The Jam Session Margarita, which boasts 1800 Blanco tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice as well as tequila-infused jalapenos with a tajin rim. Marino’s serves five different types of tequila, so you can be sure to get your favorite margarita blend! Happy hour is Tuesday – Friday 3:30-5:30 pm.

Baja Bean

Baja Bean is a Staunton favorite for delicious Tex-Mex food and a well stocked bar that includes beers on tap and by the bottle, wines, and mixed drinks like margaritas. Or, as they’re affectionately known, Baja ‘ritas. Baja ‘ritas are served on the rocks and feature house-made mixes of lime, sours, and triple sec. You can’t go wrong with a classic lime margarita, but the La Linda comes with fresh jalapeños with dash of cayenne, and the Ruby Red incorporates ruby red grapefruit and orange liqueur. Plan to accompany your drink with appetizers, drinks, and dinner. Happy hour is 4-7 pm!

The Green Room

 You do not want to miss The Green Room’s clementine’s margarita, made with Mattei blanc quinquina, lime, and clementine soda, with a smoked salt rim. The Green Room is a comfortable, hip place run by Blackfriars Playhouse actors where you can relax and connect over drinks and snacks. You’ll enjoy drinks from the curated wine, craft beer, and cider lists paired with sandwiches or charcuterie boards.

BLU Point Seafood

The bartenders at BLU Point Seafood will be glad to whip you up a margarita, but why not try something different? Order a Pom Mezcalita, made with Monte Alban Mezcal, pomegranate juice, and lime, with a black lava salt rim. Or taste an oyster shooter (or two). Start your meal with oysters or calamari, then follow up with a big plate of shrimp and grits!

Byers Street Bistro

A round of margaritas at cozy and casual Byers Street Bistro is the perfect way to celebrate. Choose from a margarita, something off the seasonal cocktail menu, or your favorite wine or beer. Plan to share some honey diablo shrimp or pub pretzels with your drinks and then stick around for handhelds or personal pizzas for dinner.

Zynodoa

Zynodoa specializes in “inspired Southern cuisine,” and the ever-changing menu is always full of delicious and seasonal meals that feature locally sourced ingredients. You’ll want to start your evening with a cocktail (or two!) at the bar, which has the feel and tastes of the big city. Zynodoa offers six different brands of tequila, and you can get a tasting flight if you want to compare them before you decide which one you want in your margarita!

Los Marquez

Parched from a long walk in the park? Los Marquez has pitchers of margaritas along with all your Mexican favorites.

Mi Rancho 

If you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican food off an extensive menu head to Mi Rancho. Mi Rancho’s showcase drink is the great big and delicious margarita, which comes in traditional lime, sussy rose, strawberry, mango, peach, and tamarind flavors as well as a margarita corona. Enjoy yourself and order the jumbo size! You can also get delicious and summery drinks like pina coladas and tequila sunrises and a dozen brands of tequila. 

Thai Staunton Restaurant

Thai Staunton Restaurant serves up any cocktail you can think of, including margaritas made with tequila, triple sec, and lemonade, which are guaranteed to compliment your spicy curry!

The 1924

The 1924 is a casual dining area and lounge just off the lobby of the historic Hotel 24 South. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with a light meal on a Friday or Saturday night. Sit by the fire with your margarita and a plate of steamed shrimp or a smash burger.

Mill Street Grill

Belly up to the bar at Mill Street Grill for a drink before your meal. A margarita would sure pair nicely with your gourmet burger or steak!

Take that Party Home with You!

The Book Dragon

How about a ready-made party for your home? Grab your copy of Drinking with Chickens at The Book Dragon. This hilarious book is full of recipes for margaritas as well as many other cocktail recipes. The store carries a number of other mixology book including D.C. Cocktails and Astrology Mixology. Pair your new book with an InBooze Cocktail Kit, which is designed to help you create 6-8 cocktails at home. You’ll love the classic margarita kit, which is sugar free!

Medieval Fantasies Gyfte Shoppe

The margarita love doesn’t need to end with drinks. Medieval Fantasies Gyfte Shoppe offers a Shakespeare-themed margarita salt scrub skin exfoliant created from “eye of newt, toe of frog, wing of bat, tongue of dog, Adder’s fork and blind worm’s sting.” Check out the catalogue for more medieval and fantasy-themed gifts.

Basic Margarita Recipe

The word margarita means daisy in Spanish. You’ll be dreaming of summer flowers as you sip your homemade version.

Ingredients:

Use a 2:1:1 ration of: 

• Tequila
• Freshly squeezed lime juice
• Orange liqueur like triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier.
• Possible add-ins include: muddled jalapeno, pineapple juice, tajin, strawberry puree, mezcal, blood orange, and basically whatever you think would taste amazing!

Directions:

• Prepare your glass by rubbing lime juice around the rim and then dipping it into Kosher salt or sugar.
• Combine the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker with some ice. Shake for about 10 seconds until mixed and chilled. Strain and serve over fresh ice.

Hopefully now you have the tools to banish the winter gloom with some summertime spirit! Happy Margarita day!