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Top Shelf Cadillac Margarita. This sounds fancy. Here's the thing, and I am finding out it isn't only me. I really don't like sweet and sour mix. Like, at all. I'm not trying to be snobby, but as someone who is already predisposed to low blood sugar and migraines, one sip of a margarita with sweet and sour mix, my blood sugar spikes and then hits rock bottom, and migraine sees its chance to swoop in and does.

Which is terrible because margarita's are amazing. They could very possibly be the best drink ever. The are simple, delicious, and refreshing. And they go really well with tacos so really, how can anyone argue.

My cousin Delvis is a bartender in Miami and a pretty well respected one at that. GQ magazine has invited him to Las Vegas serval times for various events. You know what sets him apart? And he will tell you this.

Fresh.

All your ingredients have to be fresh. That's the same thing I say about spices. Even dried spices, have to be fresh. If they have been sitting on the shelf for too long, they are no good. Same for the margarita and any other cocktail really.

The citrus has got to be fresh. It makes all the difference.

According to my brother and the the TV show, Archer, "there are five ingredients in a margarita. Five."

I have personally never seen this, but my brother quotes it to me all the time.

These five ingredients will make the best top shelf, Cadillac Margarita of your life. Sure, I had fresh lilikoi muddled into my margarita at the Four Seasons but in real life, these five will do just fine.

Granted, here I am suggesting to make a Cadillac Margarita, but the heart of what Delvis and Archer are saying remains true. Don't mess with the purity of the margarita.

With a Cadillac margarita, you have the key component of fresh lime juice, balanced with natural agave syrup.

From the agave plant. Which is where tequila comes from. It all comes full circle.

So let's talk ingredients that are truly Cadillac worthy.

Tequila

This is not too hard, right off the bat, it's easy to say Patron or Casamigos. Both have delicious clean flavors. If you have another favorite top shelf tequila that you love, use that too.

And for those of us who don't always have the premiums on hand or on budget, hello margaritas for a crowd... our favorite budget tequila's are El Jimador or Hornitos.

Cointreau

There really isn't anything quite like Cointreau. Wait, I take that back, I substitute Grand Marnier commonly for Cointreau, mostly because we use Cointreau so often, we run out. And in this case of the Cadillac margarita, feel free to substitute Grand Marnier, it works well!

However, in general, when a cocktail recipe calls for Cointreau, use Cointreau, do not commit the cardinal sin and use Triple Sec. I once googled, what is the best Triple Sec. The answer, don't buy triple sec, buy Cointreau. Cointreau is orangey and delicious with irreplaceable flavor.

Lime Juice

This is an easy one. Only, only, only use fresh lime juice. If you don't you will completely change the flavor profile of the drink. Best way to squeeze limes?

Let me tell you, for years I have searched and have finally found.

Ice

Ice is important. Ice for your shaker and ice for your glass. For the finished glass, we like crushed or chewable ice. If you are looking for the Cadillac of countertop ice makers, yes sure to check out this GE Profile Opal.

Don't have a chewable ice maker? Sonic or The Coffee Bean & ea Leaf will sell you some!

Salt

A margarita isn't a margarita without a salt rim. Coarse kosher salt works well but our hands down favorite is our Kailua Seasoning Company Koloa Rum Sea Salt. This delicious salt is infused with authentic Kauai Koloa Rum, giving it a hint of sweetness, perfect for a margarita rim!

Put it all together and make yourself the perfect, top shelf, Cadillac Margarita!

Enjoy!

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