February Is Margarita Month—Celebrate With These Citrusy, Salty And Spicy Specials
In case you missed it, February is Margarita Month, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate our fave tequila tipple.
Thankfully, some of the city's best spots for a marg are pulling out all the stops to get in on the party. Whether you like yours made classic, spicy or a little sweet, we say lock in your plans before the 22 February—otherwise known as International Margarita Day.
Beverly Rooftop
Level 24, 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141
Image: Beverly Rooftop | Supplied
Beverly bar manager Rico Deang knows a thing or two about making the perfect marg.
“A good tequila to start, fresh lime juice, a hint of orange from triple sec and quality ice together with a quick hard shake,” he says.
Stretching the celebrations through to 15 March, Beverly is partnering with Don Julio, pouring six margs ranging from the classic through to the refreshing Mi Amigo with Granny Smith apples and cucumber, and the sweet and sour Siesta, made with grapefruit, lime and sugarcane.
Mamasita
Level 1/11 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Image: Mamasita | Supplied
The team at Mamasita has been perfecting their margarita recipes for 15 years. Each one is made la tradicionale—straight over ice—and built around Nodo Blanco tequila, produced by the Bañuelos family in Mexico’s Canyon of Tecuani.
You can sip your way through a line-up of four special margs, including the signature Mamasita Margarita with pineapple and mango, and the Papacito Margarita with jalapeño, cucumber and coconut water.
Arcane Fairies
185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Image: Arcane Fairies | Supplied
The vibes at CBD newbie Arcane Fairies are a little rock’n’roll bar meets speakeasy.
As you settle into comfy booths, drinks are delivered via overhead zip line. The retro jukebox pumps out classic anthems as mixologists come up with the goods.
Created specially for Margarita Month, Arcane Fairies is pouring the Midnight Sting, with a bite of jalapeño, bruised blackberries and a smouldering Mezcal float.
Natural History
401 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Image: Natural History | Supplied
In the heart of the city, National History is going all out with a pop-up Margarita Club, where once you collect six stamps (one stamp per tipple) on specially made Margarita card, you get your next one free.
The Frozen Classic Marg, made with Don Julio Blanco, is a no-brainer on hot Feb nights, and free tortilla chips served with every drink make fro the perfect little side snack as you sip. If you're after more of a meal, head in on a Tuesday for a $27 porterhouse and chips.
Flour Child
Level 1, 434 Church Street, Richmond and
Level 1/77 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 318
Known for its sublime 48-hour fermented Pinsa Romana that pairs brilliantly with bold cocktails, it only makes sense that Flour Child celebrates Margarita Month with some flavour-packed specials.
Two limited edition margs are on offer at their Richmond and South Yarra venues for all of February. The Live Wire is a blood orange Tommy’s Margarita made with Espolòn tequila and finished with a pop-rock rim, and the Spicy Strawberry Margarita is exactly what it sounds like—a perfectly balanced mix of sweet strawbs with a little kick to keep things interesting. Non tequila drinks can also get in on the Feb fun, with a third cocktail, the Lips Don't Lie, offering a vodka-based alternative.
Melbourne Winery
247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Image: Melbourne Winery | Website
Melbourne Winery is making room for Margarita Month by rolling out a tequila takeover, with margarita icy poles coming in as our number one pick, closely followed by the tried and true frozen marg.
Frozen treats aside, there are also five different 818 Tequila cocktails (think a mango lychee marg and a watermelon yuzu mix), and even some special snacks infused with the good stuff on offer—we're talking tequila oysters and spicy tequila pasta.
Did we mention weekday happy hour means $13 cocktails from 3pm to 7pm?
JUNI
136 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
South-East Asian bar and restaurant JUNI is serving up limited-edition margs for all of Feb, with unexpected flavours taking centre stage. Try the Spicy Peach Margarita with house-made peach and gochujang syrup, or the luscious Sago Margarita with coconut fat-washed tequila, yuzushu and mango oleo.
CURIOUS
408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Curious, the swish, moody bar cocktail bar at W Melbourne is getting in on the action with a Teremana Tequila collab.
Right through Feb, there’s Margarita Happy Hour from Tuesday to Saturday between 5pm and 6pm, where you'll find classic or spicy margs for just $18 each, paired with limited-edition tacos.
For more of our favourite bars in Melbourne, head here.
Main image: Melbourne Winery | Supplied