Lagerita

There’s something about the pairing of a Margarita with an icy cold Mexican lager. Having them side by side, maybe on a sandy beach or a grassy backyard, is outrageously refreshing and delicious. So it may come as no surprise that mixing the two into a single drink works remarkably well, as odd as it might sound. The Lagerita, from bartending veteran, distiller and consultant Simon Ford (creator of Ford’s Gin), does exactly that, topping a pretty traditional Margarita with a light and crisp Mexican beer.

Beer is an uncommon cocktail ingredient, though it has its place in Shandies, the Michelada and a variety of other drinks. It brings carbonation and brightness while diluting the flavors less than club soda does, and in a Margarita it punches up the refreshing qualities of the famed sour. It’s important to use a light lager. A beer like Modelo works perfectly, but you could substitute Corona, Pacifico or Tecate. Using an ale like an IPA will add too much bitterness and malt, while a style like a stout or porter will overwhelm the other flavors (not to mention give the drink an unpleasant color).

As with any Margarita, the choice of tequila is up to the maker (or drinker). Generally you’ll want to go with a quality silver tequila, but you don’t need to reach for the top-shelf brands, especially as you’ll be adding beer. But be sure to avoid ones that aren‘t made with 100% agave, as is common practice when selecting any tequila.

Similarly, while Cointreau is the orange liqueur of choice for most Margaritas—and is the one that Ford uses in the Lagerita—you can swap it for a more affordable one, like a good dry curaçao or other nice orange liqueur. However, be sure to taste for the proper sweetness level so you can adjust with some additional simple syrup if need be.

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