My Surprising Upgrade for the Best Margarita

I am open to trying new takes on classics, but I'm a purist when it comes to a margarita cocktail. For a long time, I was convinced the simplest version was the best version. And for the most part, that's true.

What could be better than good tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and a salted rim? Not much. That's what I used to think until I ordered one fateful margarita while out for dinner years ago.

On the menu, I saw "muddled cilantro" in the description of the margarita and remembered thinking it sounded good. Probably because it didn't feel wildly outside the realm of what a margarita is at its core. I ordered it, and when it hit my tastebuds, I was rewarded—it was so good!

From then on, I've been adding cilantro to my homemade margaritas. The cilantro enhances the other ingredients and brings a freshness that hits just right—especially in warm weather. It's very mint-like in that way. I recommend giving it a try, even if you're dedicated to the classic version like I used to be.

My Tips for Upgrading Your Margarita With Cilantro

A muddler is the best tool for incorporating cilantro. Put five to eight leaves into the bottom of your glass, along with a little sprinkle of sugar for extra texture to assist the muddler.

Cilantro stems are fair game because they have a significant amount of flavor and can often be more potent and slightly sweeter than the leaves, making them perfect for your margarita.

Be gentle—give it one or two twists with the muddler. You want to crush the cilantro just enough to release the flavor—no need to pulverize it. No muddler? No problem! I use a mortar and pestle, or you can slice the cilantro leaves.

Finally, pair your margarita with some delicious Mexican food. I almost always go for carne asada, but I will never say no to fully loaded nachos.