A margarita is one of life’s great joys – the punch of tequila accompanied with that sharp citrus burst and the grounding salt around the rim. It is such a fantastic tipple that an entire month celebrating their brilliance has been created by Signature Group and their capital venues.
Edinburgh’s first ‘Margarita Mile’ launched on Wednesday February 18 and will run until Tuesday March 31. Five New Town bars, staffing some of the best mixologists in the city, have all concocted their own takes on the classic cocktail for those willing to embark on the March challenge.
Teaming up with tequila brand El Jimador, The Basement on Broughton Street; The Boozy Cow on Frederick Street; Badger & Co on Castle Street; Copper Blossom on George Street; and The Huxley on Rutland Street are pouring their passion into a new menu of margarita-inspired cocktails.
- Jet2 announces new flights to two sun-soaked European hotspots from Edinburgh Airport
- I went to Gordon Ramsay’s Edinburgh Bread Street Kitchen and was taken on a journey
Being a lover of the Mexican beverage, my wife and I decided to grab a map for the Margarita Mile. Each bar will stamp your map with those taking part offered the chance to win prizes.
You can complete the mile in any order but it is advised to finish off at The Basement for a free bowl of guacamole and Margarita Mile caps. With this in mind, we set off from The Huxley and worked our way through the city centre.
Unfortunately we were unable to sample the menu at Copper Blossom due to the bar hosting a private event but we can assure you their cocktail menu for the event looks incredible. At The Huxley my wife, Cathy, went for the Toreador Highball (El Jimador Blanco, Joven Mezcal, Cointreau, Apricot, Verjus and Fever-Tree Apricot and Grape Soda – £12).
Whereas I opted for the Kumquat & Mango (El Jimador Blanco, Kumquat Liqueur, Mango and Citrus Reduction – £12). But after a sip each, we swapped.
The highball was very refreshing and light. I’d highly recommend it if you are a whisky highball kind of person. Meanwhile my partner and crime enjoyed the fruity sharpness of her beverage.
Our next stop was Badger & Co. where we went for the Toad’s Tea Party (El Jimador Blanco, Peach Liqueur, Cointreau, Housemade Tea Blend, Agave – £13). And Cathy tried the Ratty Burns (Blanco Tequila, Ancho Chile Liqueur, Lime, Agave, Cholula, Sea Salt – £12.50).
I’d say I enjoyed the first few sips but this is a glass for the sweet tooth out there. Sadly the ‘warm spice’ of the cocktail was too much for Cathy and caution is advised unless you enjoy a rather spicy marg.
Our third stop was at the Boozy Cow and this was definitely a change of pace from The Huxley and Badger & Co. I loved the vibe, with 90s NBA highlights on in the background and Nirvana grunge blasting through the speakers.
I liked the sound of the Paloma (El Jimador, Lime Juice, Gomme, Fever-Tree Pink Grapefruit Soda – £10.50) straight off the bat. Whereas Cath, scarred from her last glass, played it safe with a Classic Margarita (El Jimador, Lime Juice, Lucky Liqueur, Salt – £10).
The Paloma was decent albeit nothing to write home about but I do love anything with the bitterness of grapefruit running through it. Whereas the classic marg was exactly what the doctor ordered – nothing fancy but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Sent into a stupor, we soldiered on, and at this time we were thankful for Copper Blossoms popularity as we zigzagged our way to the Basement. Again, I loved the vibe, it felt like a Hispanic dive bar and was really cosy, I could spend a whole night there.
At this stage I was yearning for a classic margarita myself and so went for the Bergamot (El Jimador Blanco, Italicus, Cointreau, Agave, Lime Juice – £12). Cathy needed something to reenergise her, so went for the chilly Frozen Coconut Margarita (El Jimador Blanco, Malibu, Funkin Coconut, Purée, Lime Juice, Sugar Syrup – £12).
Both were spot on. I welcomed the classic and I’d say the Bergamot was jostling with the Toreador for top in class. The frozen cocktail was really fun and the Malibu was a throwback to the student union days.
The Margarita Mile menu also includes a range of tasty dishes to share with friends, including Birria Tacos (Basement), Short Rib Skewers (Copper Blossom), Cheeseburger Soup (Huxley), and Wagyu Burger (Boozy Cow).
We had a lot of fun completing it and I’d imagine it would be a great night out in a big group as you take a sip of each margarita inspired cocktail.
For more information on Edinburgh’s first ‘Margarita Mile’, click here.
