Welcome back, Frugal Friends. Last weekend, I shared a Copycat Bartaco Sesame Ribeye Taco. Today, I want to shake things up a bit (see what I’m doing here, lol) with a budget-friendly twist on a Bartaco Signature Margarita. Yep, this one is shaken, not stirred.
Copycat Bartaco Sesame Ribeye Tacos
Bad James Bond puns aside (my apologies for that, especially if you are young and completely stumped) I was thinking those tacos would be absolutely fabulous to serve sometime this Father’s Day weekend! And of course, ya gotta have a special cocktail to celebrate, as well. But if not this weekend, a margarita is great anytime!
About the Bartaco Signature Margarita:
Bartaco has published a number of recipes, including their original recipe for their Margarita. You can see them here. That link will take you to an online mag called Style Blueprint. If you’re a little budget minded as I am, take a little trip with me so we can savor the flavor and craft our very own Bartaco Signature Margarita without breaking the bank!
With just a few budget-minded ingredients and a touch of mixing magic, you’ll be indulging in this soon-to-be favorite without breaking the bank or causing a conniption of guilt as your budget diminishes. By taking advantage of seasonal sales and getting a little creative with cost-effective ingredients (below) you’re gonna master the art of making a fabulously frugal margarita.
Next time you’re craving your own Bartaco experience, channel your inner Frugal Hausfrau and shake up your own Margarita Masterpiece! And if you bring it home on a budget and aren’t using top shelf, just hide that bottle….after all, who’s gonna know? And don’t forget to serve your Margarita alongside those Sesame Ribeye Tacos. You’re gonna rock dinner with these recipes, no matter what the occasion! Cheers!
Bartacp Signature Margarita
Making the Bartaco Signature Margarita:
Margaritas like these that are shaken, not frozen, are such a cinch to make at home. It’s good to know if you measure with a jigger that it holds one and a half ounces. If you want to use a measuring cup, you’ll probably want a glass one. Usually, the ounce measurements are on one side and the cup measurements are on the other.
Always make sure you have plenty of ice, especially if making these in any quantity, and make sure to shake them well before carefully pouring them out into your beautifully rimmed glasses. Everything else you need to know is in the recipe, below.
Making Ahead & Storing:
While there are some drink mixes that I would not hesitate to make ahead (hello my Overnight Bloody Mary Mix) this is not one of them. At least not for any significant amount of time.
- Early in the day shouldn’t be too long to squeeze the lime. Put it in a covered container, preferably glass, maybe a mason jar situation, and refrigerate it until it’s needed.
- Lime slices or wedges can be made ahead, placed in a Ziploc, and refrigerated. Everything else should be done on the fly.
- By the same token, you could make a pitcher of margaritas (there’s a multiplier in the recipe) a few hours ahead and refrigerate – unless you want the making of the cocktail to be a part of the entertainment.
- Any leftovers can be strained from any ice (always make sure you have enough ice, btw) and refrigerated, but don’t expect miracles. Hey, it couldn’t be any worse than some of the mixes out there.
Bartaco Signature Margarita
Saving Money on Bartaco Signature Margarita:
- Salt: There are special little containers of salt you can buy to rim your glasses. In a pinch, use a little sea or kosher salt; place it in a plastic lid. Something from sour cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
- Limes: You may not have much of a choice in limes. You can buy in a discount grocery like Aldi or Lidl, and sometimes they’re cheaper by the bag. Always choose limes that are heavy for their size. A few blemishes are less important than weight. Get the most out of your lime by rolling with the weight of your hand pressing down to break up the nodules inside.
- Agave Syrup: I’d opt for the agave if possible, but honestly, you may not notice the difference in the drink. It’s probably just a bit of snobbery on my part, I admit it! Opt for Simple Syrup, instead. Combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan, heat until the sugar dissolves, then cool before using. Pro tip: Make a larger batch and store it in your fridge for future margarita (or lemonade or ice tea) endeavors.
- Liquor: Saving the best for last. If you and your household are the kind that can keep alcohol around (and if you are, say a prayer for those who aren’t so blessed) the best way to buy your hooch is to pay attention to sales. Most stores have a major sale with special pricing on all sorts of alcohol. Sign up for email alerts and look for great pricing around holidays, too.
- In addition: True tequila is made only in certain parts of Mexica from 100 percent blue agave. Be open to substitutions for the Libélula Joven tequila. Triple Sec has great substitutions, too. Try to strike a balance between cost and quality and talk to the store clerks/managers. They usually know how to guide you to something appropriate.
What goes better with the Bartaco tacos than a Bartaco Margarita?
Hey guys!
I just heard recently that’s a Midwestern phrase. “Hey Guys” A correct Southerner would say “Hey Y’all” instead. While I’ve succumbed to calling people babe, hun, or sweetie, I seem to balk at Y’all.
It just doesn’t roll off my tongue naturally. Regardless, even if it did I am guessing after a Bartaco Signature Margarita or two I’d revert back to Hey Guys. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. Feel free, as with any recipe I post, to taste and adjust!
Oh, and let’s have more cocktails, whatdayasay? I’m all in! This should be the summer of fun! Cheers!
Mollie
Bartaco Signature Margarita
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverages, alcohol
- Cuisine: Mexican or Southwestern
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Libélula Joven tequila
- 2 oz triple sec
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave simple syrup
- Salt for rim, optional (Bar salt or appropriately sized sea or kosher salt)
- additional lime in wedges or slices for garnish
Instructions
Serve these margaritas in a rocks glasses. To rim the glasses with salt, run a lime wedge along the rim and dip it into a plate (or smallish plastic lid) filled with salt. Rotate the glass to ensure an even salt coating.
In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and a handful of ice cubes. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill the ingredients and blend the flavors.
Fill your salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice, then strain the margarita into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge or slice if desired.
Keywords: agave, Alcohol, Beverages, Lime, Mexican or Southwestern, simple syrup, tequila, triple Sec
6 thoughts on “Bartaco Signature Margarita”