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Guapo’s: Best Swirl

Swirls are swell, especially when served in pitchers and shared with friends. Guapo’s, with restaurants in Tenleytown, Shirlington, Gaithersburg, and Bethesda, offers up an excellent frozen margarita swirl that won’t break the bank. While slurping these heavily-iced margaritas at times causes a pucker from sheer sweetness, they’re still pleasant when the sweetness is cut by the salt of the salsa. Just don’t expect the portion of tequila to knock you out.

4515 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-686-3588; 4038 South 28th Street, Arlington; 703-671-1701; 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg; 301-977-5655; 8130 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 301-656-0888; guaposrestaurant.com

Cactus Cantina/Lauriol Plaza: Best Flavored

These sister restaurants have attracted margarita lovers for years with their array of well-made ‘ritas, frozen and on the rocks. Full pitchers go for $26; $37 with an upgrade to Cuervo Gold. In addition to the usual strawberry flavor, Lauriol lets you sip and savor peach and mango margaritas. While the peach is mild in flavor, the mango masks the kick of tequila without becoming too sweet or too tart. Try it when washing down the guacamole. Ask for their warm, freshly-made tortillas instead of chips and you’ll be in heaven.

Cactus Cantina: 3300 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-686-7222; cactuscantina.com
Lauriol Plaza: 1835 18th St., NW; 202-387-0035; lauriolplaza.com

Rosa Mexicano: Best Signature

If you’re willing to brave the thirsty after-work crowd and less-than-prompt service, Rosa Mexicano delivers four high-end margaritas. Their signature pomegranate margarita, the least expensive of the four, goes well with a heaping mortar-bowl order of guac. Tequila blanco, lime juice, and pomegranate juice sit well together in this frothy offering, while La Unica, Rosa’s version of a cadillac margarita, doesn’t live up to its $12 price tag. Go for the pom-rita for $8.50; just make sure to savor the small portion or you might run out before you finish the last piece of your mushroom quesadilla.

575 7th St., NW; 202-783-5522; rosamexicano.com

Mexicali Blues: Best Margarita for Outdoor Sipping

Half the fun in margaritas comes from the ability to lounge outside on a patio with a group of coworkers. The lure of Mexicali Blues is just that, with plentiful outdoor seating. This Salvadoran/Mexican restaurant also has its margaritas down to a tee, with a menu page full of margarita options. They’ve got a punchy pomegranate frozen option, but classic margarita lovers will find solace in their La Carreta (the Cadillac) margarita with Patron Silver and Cointreau for $8.95. It’s generously salted and on the rocks. Perfect for lounging in the afternoon sun.

2933 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-812-9352; mexicaliblues.com

Las Margaritas: Best Cadillac

It’s a tiny south-of-the-border restaurant and the cafe tables outside are sparse, but Las Margaritas knows the importance of having a variety of its namesake cocktail. They have a Oaxacan or French choice—with blanco tequila and sweet and sour mix—as well as the typical frozen flavors. There are also three kinds of traditional margaritas, including Margaritas’ version of the Cadillac with Cuervo Gold, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice. The drink is the most expensive of the bunch at $6 (the happy hour prices bring some of these suckers down to $4.) The large mug comes frozen or on the rocks with plenty of bar salt and goes perfectly with a side of fried plantains.

4906 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda; 301-656-2561; lasmargaritasgrill.net

Teaism: Most Unusual

For interesting margaritas head to... a tea shop? The cavernous Penn Quarter Teaism restaurant, unlike the other locations in Lafayette Square and Dupont, offers mango and ginger margaritas to go with its selection of beer and sake. The ginger margarita  proves satisfying with a lightly salted rim and bold lime flavoring—but the expected spicy blast of ginger hardly seeps through. True margarita fans might be better off heading to a locale with certified mixologists rather than a tea shop gone alcoholic. Still, nowhere else combines tequila with bento boxes and mochi, and your margarita will only add $5 to your bill.

400 8th St., NW; 202-638-6010; teaism.com

Oyamel: Lighter Than Air

The best part of the signature margarita at Oyamel in Penn Quarter is the frothy and light “salt air” foam that takes the place of a salt-crusted rim. The fresh lime juice, Cointreau and Jose Cuervo don’t hurt, either. Sure, for $10, you might be able to down a couple of margaritas elsewhere, but would you get to ingest froth made of something called “soy lecithin?” We think not. Bonus: You can learn how to make their salt-air margarita yourself by watching this video we took of one of Oyamel's bartenders making the drink.

401 7th St., NW; 202-628-1005; oyamel.com

Red Rocks Cafe and Tequila Bar: Best Selection of Tequila

It’s hidden in the back of a Centreville shopping center, but don’t let that deter you from hitting up this spot that may boast the best selection of tequila in the DC area. The bar offers up nearly 100 brand-name tequilas. And the margaritas? They’re a-flowin’, and in a variety of flavors. Try anything from mango to guava to kiwi.

13850-F Braddock Rd., Centreville; 703-815-6900

Poste: Most Floral

A margarita is supposed to be simple, right? Lime juice, Cointreau, tequila, etc., and you’re set. Who wants to mess with that formula—especially by adding a floral component? But forget any misgivings you may have about something called a Lavender Margarita ($10) and head to Penn Quarter to Poste’s patio to try it out. A subtle infusion of lavender in the drink adds a mild flavor and tones down any sourness. Plus, the drink is rimmed with something unexpectedly tasty—lavender salt.

555 8 St., NW; 202-783-6060; postebrasserie.com

Taqueria Poblano: Most Neighborhood-Friendly

Tex-Mex, Cal-Mex, and Salvadoran flavors mix at this taqueria, which has become a friendly neighborhood gathering spot, where you can find locals sipping the margaritas on its welcoming patio. Try the ‘rita; it’s made with fresh lime juice, Triple Sec, and Silver tequila, and isn’t cloyingly sweet. Plus, you can’t beat the $5.95 price.

2400-B Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-548-8226; taqueriapoblano.com

Let us know your favorite margaritas in the comments!

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