The Perfect Combo: Beer-Rita Sipping Guide

The margarita is a famously sweet, sour, and salty cocktail that has become one of the most popular drinks worldwide. While there are many variations, a classic margarita is typically made with tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice. But what if you want to add a little something extra to your drink? Enter the beer margarita, also known as a beergarita or beerita. This unique cocktail combines the classic margarita flavours with the crispness and fizz of your favourite beer.

The best type of beer to use

When making a beer margarita, also known as a beergarita or a beerita, it's important to choose the right type of beer to complement the classic margarita flavours. While you can use any type of beer you like, some options will result in a more well-rounded drink.

Light beers such as lagers, pilsners, or wheat beers are recommended as they provide a crisp, refreshing flavour that pairs well with the tangy lime and orange notes of a margarita. A Mexican lager like Corona is a popular choice for a classic beergarita.

For a more interesting twist, a craft IPA with citrus notes can elevate the drink. The hops in an IPA will enhance the tartness of the margarita, creating a unique and refreshing cocktail. However, it's important to avoid strong or overly hoppy beers, as they can overpower the other flavours in the drink.

Additionally, it's worth noting that some beergarita recipes call for frozen limeade concentrate, but for a more authentic and pure flavour, it's best to use fresh lime juice instead.

The importance of fresh lime juice

A beer margarita is a fun and refreshing twist on the classic cocktail. While the recipe calls for a blend of tangy lime, tequila, and beer, it's important to note the significance of using fresh lime juice in this drink.

Fresh lime juice is essential to achieving the perfect balance of flavours in a margarita. It brings a zesty, tangy, and vibrant freshness that enhances the overall drinking experience. The natural oils in fresh lime juice add a subtle silkiness and smoothness to the drink, creating a rich and velvety mouthfeel. This texture cannot be replicated by bottled lime juice, which may result in a thinner and less luxurious cocktail. In addition, fresh lime juice provides a vibrant green colour to the margarita, making it visually appealing and inviting.

The flavour of fresh lime juice is unparalleled. It has a bright, zesty taste that adds a unique freshness to the drink. While bottled lime juice can be more convenient, it often has a muted and artificial flavour that falls short of the authentic taste of fresh limes. Bottled lime juice also contains added preservatives, sugar, and artificial colours, which can affect the overall quality and taste of the cocktail.

Using fresh lime juice ensures that the margarita has the right level of acidity to balance the sweetness from the agave or simple syrup. It enhances the flavours of the tequila and orange liqueur, creating a well-rounded and refreshing cocktail. The natural tartness of fresh lime juice is essential in a margarita, and it pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the beer in a beerita.

While squeezing fresh limes can be time-consuming and messy, the superior flavour and texture of the juice make it worth the effort. For the best beer margarita experience, opt for fresh lime juice to elevate the drink's taste, texture, and visual appeal.

How to make a big batch

To make a big batch of beer margaritas, you can simply scale up the ingredients in the recipe. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• Tequila blanco or reposado
• Cointreau (orange liqueur)
• Fresh lime juice
• Beer (lager for a classic taste, or a hoppy IPA with citrus notes)
• Kosher salt or flaky sea salt (optional)
• Ice

Instructions:

• Prepare the glasses (optional): If you want to rim the glasses with salt, pour kosher salt or flaky sea salt into a shallow bowl. Rub the edge of each glass with a lime wedge, then dip the glass into the salt.
• Combine the liquid ingredients: In a large pitcher or carafe, add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and, if desired, simple syrup or agave syrup to taste. Stir well to combine.
• Refrigerate the pitcher until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, add ice to the pitcher. If you prefer, you can also fill each glass with ice and pour the margarita mixture over the top.
• Garnish with lime wedges or wheels.

Tips:

• When choosing a tequila, opt for a higher-end brand with a label that says 100% agave. Examples include Espolòn, Casamigos, and La Gritona.
• Light beers like lagers, pilsners, or wheat beers work best. Avoid strong or overly hoppy beers that may overpower the other flavours.
• If you want to make the drink sweeter, you can add more agave syrup or simple syrup to taste.
• If you don't want to use fresh lime juice, you can substitute bottled lime juice or use a can of frozen limeade concentrate.

Why beer and margaritas work well together

Beer and margaritas work well together because the tartness of the margarita complements the bitterness of the beer, creating a refreshingly balanced drink. The hops in beer pair perfectly with the tart lime and orange perfume of a margarita. The beer adds just the right amount of bubbly carbonation to this classic drink.

When making a beer margarita, it is important to note that not any beer will do. Light beers like lagers, pilsners, or wheat beers work best. Strong or hoppy beers should be avoided as they might overpower the margarita flavours. A lager can be used for a classic flavour, such as Corona, a Mexican beer. For a more interesting flavour, a craft IPA with citrus notes can be used.

The best type of glass to use for a beer margarita is a glass mug, pint glass, or mason jar for a more casual feel. The drink can be built by layering the ingredients, as shaking it can create too much foam. The glass can be rimmed with salt to enhance the sweet and sour flavours and give it that classic margarita flavour, but this is optional.

Beer margaritas are a fun and refreshing twist on the classic margarita, perfect for parties and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They are easy to make and can be served anytime a regular margarita would be served.

How to serve a beer margarita

A beer margarita, also known as a beergarita or a beerita, is a fun and refreshing twist on the classic margarita. It combines the classic margarita flavours of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur with the crispness and fizz of your favourite beer.

The Beer

When making a beer margarita, you can't use just any beer. It is recommended to use light beers like lagers, pilsners, or wheat beers. For a classic flavour, use a lager, such as Corona, or a Mexican beer. For something more interesting, step it up with a Craft IPA. Choose a hoppy IPA with citrus notes to really take your drink to the next level. Avoid strong or hoppy beers that might overpower the other flavours in the drink.

The Glass

You don't need a special glass for a beer margarita. A glass mug, pint glass, or mason jar will do. If you want to get fancy, rim the glass with salt before serving. This enhances the sweet and sour flavours in the drink and gives you that classic margarita flavour. Use kosher salt or flaky sea salt for the best coarse texture.

The Food

A beer margarita is perfect for any time you'd serve a regular margarita. It goes great with Mexican-style food: try it with shrimp tacos, guacamole, salsa, and grilled corn.

Frequently asked questions