HAPPY NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY! Some like it hot and some (like me) literally want their taste buds flaming. If you know me well you know if my last meal on earth would be a bowl of spicy guac complimented by a perfectly spicy and salty skinny margarita. I've tried my fair share of spicy margaritas from Manhattan to Mexico and although every spicy margarita gets me fired up I have narrowed it down to my 5 all time favorites.
1. MINA: Tulum, Mexico
It's no surprise I enjoyed my all time favorite spicy margarita in Mexico. Until taking that first, life changing, sip of my marg at Mina I continuously doubted every bartender's ability to bring the heat. I 'm not sure if it was my emphasis on the words extra spicy or if flaming (literally the bartender lit a pepper on fire) cocktails are the norm at Mina, but I can guarantee you they don't play around. Perfectly fresh and dangerously fiery, Mina proved they're serious about spice.
2. Gitano: Tulum, Mexico
Although famous for it's ascetically pleasing atmosphere and delicious food, Gitano doesn't cut corners when it comes to the art of cocktail crafting. My spicy margarita's presentation and kick had my mouth watering and my palms sweating, proving Gitano understands anyone who orders a spicy marg in Mexico isn't playing games. They even have a restaurant in NYC and a club called the Jungle Room, where I'm sure they live up to the Tulum spice spectrum.
3. Mad Dog & Beans Cantina: Fidi, NYC
Since my first sip, I became truly mad for Mad Dog's spicy margs and find myself spicing things up here at least once a month. Although I wouldn't say these are spiciest margaritas I've encountered, I can state they are the most dangerously addicting. I'm unsure if it's the incredibly tasty chili salt they place on the rim or how beautifully they pair with Mad Dog's spicy guac but I can admit these margs literally have me fuming because I can never have just one. To make matters worse, Mad Dog presents groups with the option of a margarita tower which seriously gets me heated.
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4. Lucharitos: Greenport, Long Island
Ok I know this is not in Manhattan nor is it in Mexico but this little Long Island tequila bar known as Lucharitos knows how to get lit big time. My mom and I topped off Thanksgiving weekend here with some guac and a few of the spiciest spicy margs I've ever had. The bartender told me Lucharitos infuses jalapeños in tequila for over a week, setting my previous spice standards up in flames.
5. The Flying Cock: Midtown, NYC
If you want a slap of a different kinda spice flap your wings over to The Flying Cock. Known as the "Flying High," their untraditional twist on spicy margs flawlessly blends mint into the mix which actually sounds gross but tastes incredible. The subtle minty addition is the spicy, ingenious answer to the question all of us with taste buds contemplate at the counter: Margarita or Mojito?
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