Mojito and piña colada aside, the margarita is practically the unofficial drink of South Florida. It's also the only cocktail with its own hotel and lifestyle named after it (thanks to Jimmy Buffett).
Of course, Floridians don't need an excuse to relax and sip a margarita. Here, it’s a year-round libation. And while every variation ultimately begins with good tequila, it's up to the bartender to add their flair.
Below, listed alphabetically, are Miami's ten best bars to sip on some margaritas.
Bakan
2801 NW 2nd Ave., Miami305-396-7080
bakanwynwood.com
From its cacti-lined outdoor patio and bar to the open kitchen where you can watch tortillas being hand pressed, Bakan has a way of spiriting you to Mexico. With 500-plus mezcals and tequilas on the menu, the margaritas can be equally transportive. Keep it basic with the "Clasica," made with either mezcal or tequila, shaken with a simple combination of orange liqueur and fresh lime juice. Choose a fruitier option with the "Sera Melón, Sera SandÃa," a mezcal margarita with fresh lime juice sweetened with nothing but watermelon and served in a goblet-sized glass. Feeling fancy? Splurge on the signature "La Ambiciosa," a combination of tequila, Grand Marnier, and lime juice sweetened with homemade lemon verbena simple syrup.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
1220 16th St., Miami Beach305-704-2145
bodegasouthbeach.comWho doesn’t love frozen margaritas at Bodega? If the brain freeze is too much to handle, try the "Pico Picante." It's made with tequila, mezcal, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeño, lime, and orange bitters garnished with sliced cucumber.
Chica Miami
5556 NE 4th Ct., Miami786-632-7725
chicarestaurant.com
Chica Miami’s take on the margarita is their "Chica-Rita." It starts simple enough with a blend of reposado tequila, pineapple, lime, and agave. But the addition of tiki bitters — offering notes of allspice, cinnamon, clove, and tropical fruit — gives this classic favorite a sweet and spicy kick.
Byblos
1545 Collins Ave., Miami Beach786-864-2990
byblosmiami.com
In the mood for a unique margarita experience? Visit Byblos and order the "Habibi Margarite," an exotic and infused (and cold) take on tea service. This Mediterranean-inspired margarita marries exotic spices, tea, and lime juice with reposado tequila for a whimsical and elevated — if non-traditional — tea service.
Gianni's at the Villa
1116 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach786-485-2200
vmmiamibeach.com At Gianni's at the Villa, go big with the "24 Karat Golden" margarita, prepared using gold-infused premium tequila, Cointreau, and fresh orange and lime juices. It's poured over ice and finished with a salt rim and — as the name suggests — a sprinkling of gold flakes.
Moxies
900 S. Miami Ave., Miami305-549-8997
moxies.com Head to Moxies, where you can pick from six custom margaritas that range from the "Ghost" — spiked with ghost pepper tequila and green chile vodka for a spicy twist — to the pineapple basil that combines tequila with Cointreau, fresh basil, and pineapple. The top seller is Moxies’ "Millionaire Margarita," a blend of añejo tequila, Cointreau, organic agave, and fresh-pressed lime juice.
Oh! Mexico
1440 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-532-0490
ohmexicorestaurant.com
Española Way’s Mexican gem Oh! Mexico has been serving up supersized margaritas since 1997. The local watering hole is also renowned for its selection of more than 50 tequilas used to make various margaritas, from frozen and classic on the rocks to the restaurant's signature fruit-infused libations. Mezcal lovers: opt for the "Holy Pops," which comes with a housemade fresh fruit popsicle for a pop of fruity flavor.
SoCal Cantina
1000 S. Miami Ave., Miami754-600-1045
socal-taco.comThis modern taqueria features a variety of riffs on the classic margarita, but they each share one thing in common: a housemade, four-hour lime juice that just hits differently. Taste the difference with the "SoCal Special," which pairs reposado tequila with a salted Cointreau foam topping, or the "Gardner's" with red bell peppers, English cucumber, and serrano chilies.
Sugar Factory American Brasserie
1060 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach305-535-9773
sugarfactory.com Sugar Factory is known for its over-the-top, candy-adorned cocktails. While there are endless options, highlights include massive margaritas served in fishbowl-inspired goblets. Not just any tequila will do here, however, and several celebrity-owned spirits have made their way onto the menu with names that evoke the essence of their creators. These include the "Strawberry Cadillac Reposado" crafted with Nick Jonas’ Villa One reposado to the "Peoples’ Watermelon Cadillac" prepared with Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson’s Teremana blanco tequila.
Tacocraft Taqueria & Tequila Bar
5829 SW 73rd St., South Miami305-668-5612
tacocraft.comIf you're craving variety, look no further than Tacocraft, which offers more than 150 tequilas and mezcals for your margarita — and plenty of fruit flavors to boot. At this imbiber's paradise, the lineup of handcrafted margaritas includes everything from jalapeño cucumber, passionfruit, and prickly pear to strawberry basil and mango. Visit on a Monday and you can partake in the day-long special that features $5 margaritas in weekly rotating flavors.
