National Margarita Day is Friday, February 22. While the origins of this eccentric holiday are unknown, February seems like a perfect month for it, if you ask me. We’re past the winter holiday rush, with nary a calendar holiday in sight until Memorial Day. The weather is still cold but the days are starting to get longer and the temperature rises ever so slightly here and there. I can’t think of a more suitable cocktail to pair with this feeling of cold giving way to warm than a spicy margarita on the rocks, which starts out cold and refreshing before the spice kicks in and gets your blood pumping. This perfect fusion of fresh heat is what makes a spicy margarita so special. I have to imagine that whoever came up with this holiday feels similarly.
If you’re feeling like me and are craving this refreshing kick to cap off your week, check out our roundup of restaurants, bars, and cocktails that feature Tanteo’s spicy margaritas. Gather up some friends and have fun celebrating this holiday that we at Tanteo are very glad became a national reason to revel!

Enjoy a spiced cranberry margarita at Circa Brewing Co(New York)

The sweetness of cranberry balances out the heat in Circa Brewing Co’s spiced cranberry margarita, which you can enjoy with either Tanteo Jalapeño or Tanteo Habanero tequila — a devilishly sweet Friday treat. “I love having a twist on a classic margarita on our cocktail menu, and it’s been really fun to do with Tanteo because you can get the different spice levels without having to mess with chopping jalapeños,” says Sarah Smith, Crica Brewing’s general manager. No mess, just spice. The restaurant is located in downtown Brooklyn and is open until 2 a.m. on Friday.

Have a Tanteo “Pick Your Pepper” margarita at Mesa Azteca (New York)

Tanteo’s “Pick your Pepper” (PYP) margarita, which features a choice between all three of our tequila infusions — jalapeño, chipotle, or habanero — is a classic, spicy choice, that comes down to delicious simplicity. Luckily, this can be found on the menu at Bushwick’s number one restaurant, Mesa Azteca, which has a vibrant, decorative motif and a festive back patio, perfect for celebrating good food, friends, and of course, margaritas. It’s open until 11 p.m. on Friday.

Drink a winter margarita at Bubby’s (New York)

Blood orange and Tanteo chipotle go so well together, and Bubby’s mixes both these ingredients with mezcal, lime, and agave nectar for its smokey and crisp winter margarita. This Tribeca mainstay is also known for its comfort food, which goes well beyond burgers and pies, drawing inspiration from a variety of different cultural contributions to American cuisine to pair alongside your seasonal margarita. It’s open until 11 p.m. on Friday.

Go for a PYP at Chela (New York)

There are 40 types of tequila at this modern Mexican restaurant in Park Slope, and we’re proud that all three of our infusions are featured! Here you can choose between them with Chela’s “Choose Your Pepper Margarita” — we might call it “Pick Your Pepper” but it’s still the same delicious spicy cocktail. Chela’s version comes with a spicy chile rim and agavero. It’s open until midnight on Friday.

Delight in a pepino diablo at La Esquina (New York)
This semi-hidden Soho restaurant and lounge features one of our favorite kinds of margaritas, which combines the powerful freshness of cucumber with the delightfully devilish spice of Tanteo jalapeño. At the end of the week, this cucumber margarita is positively revitalizing. La Esquina is open until 2 a.m. on Friday.

Invoke the power of the spicy side with “heroic margaritas” at Scum & Villainy (California)

There’s a secret bar on Hollywood Boulevard, where Tanteo’s PYP margarita is the Han Solo of the night. You can be your own jedi at this Star Wars themed bar, which serves a “heroic margarita” — a classic spicy marg with any of our three infusions. Costumes and celebration are highly encouraged here, which is perfect for National Margarita Day. Scum & Villainy Cantina also serves a Tanteo Jalapeño “Doom Shot” if you’re feeling more like a rebel than a jedi.

Enjoy blackberry jalapeño and pineapple jalapeño margaritas at La Vida Cantina

This authentic Mexican restaurant in Costa Mesa — where Tanteo was the tequila of the month for October! — is all about fresh ingredients. That’s why their fruity spins on our classic spiced cocktail are so refreshing. The restaurant features signature margaritas, as well as an earthy and tart Tanteo jalapeño blackberry margarita, and a tropical Tanteo jalapeño pineapple margarita. There’s a spacious and lively outdoor bar area and all of its food recipes have a modern twist. It’s open until 2 a.m. on Friday.

Guzzle a jalapeño margarita at Rock & Brews (California)
Never a bad idea to keep it simple with our spicy classic, and this rock ‘n’ roll themed beer garden in Southern and Northern California features Tanteo’s jalapeño margarita on its menu, with a bonus insert that highlights the Tanteo tequila production process for some light reading along with your imbibing. There’s also a killer soundtrack that plays in the restaurant. Hours vary by location.

Go classic with a spicy margarita at Mandito’s (Texas)

One of Round Top’s newest restaurants, Mandito’s features Tanteo tequila on the menu, so order a spicy jalapeño margarita — always our first choice. Then enjoy the inviting atmosphere for friends of Tanteo — it has on hand a custom-made outdoor Jenga set that showcases all three Tanteo peppers: jalapeño, chipotle, and habanero. It’s open until 9 p.m. on Friday.

… or add a taco to your spicy classic at Berryhill Sugar Land
This cantina-style bar and restaurant located in Sugarland, TX, is known for its original fish tacos, and and serves a tanteo spicy margarita that provides the perfect kick to round out the meal. It’s open until 2 a.m. on Friday.

Sip a classic spicy margarita or go PYP at Via Verdi(Florida)

Touted as the best Italian restaurant in Miami, Via Verdi wants its customers to relax and enjoy as much as we want you to on Friday. It’s both casual and intimate, with several unique dining spaces including an outdoor patio. Via Verdi features our classic jalapeño margarita but you can also choose between all three of our infusions if you’re going for something smokier (chipotle) or extra spicy (habanero). It’s open until midnight on Friday.

Try your hand at your own PYP margarita! (at home)

The beauty of a Tanteo spicy margarita is striking the perfect balance between spice, sweet and citrus. With three simple ingredients, this can easily be achieved at home. This National Margarita Day, invite your friends over for a PYP sampling of margaritas with each of our three infusions. It’s the same recipe for each, but the tequila choice can take it from spicy (jalapeño) to smokey (chipotle) to extra spicy (habanero). Which is your favorite?

Tanteo spicy margarita 

2 oz. Tanteo Tequila (choose an infusion)

1 oz. lime juice

3/4 oz agave nectar

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice

Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed ice-filled glass

Garnish with a jalapeño slice or a lime wedge

Happy National Margarita Day!
Maralyn
Author: Maralyn

Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.