[Len_Dreyer]

Hussongs Cantina's recipe the supposed birthplace of the margarita. They make an excellent margarita.

http://www.bajamagic.com/storyshow/Hussongs.html

[lonewolfny42]

Bob....

BUT......If I don't get the actual recipe from Applebee's my wife will have my ass.

Too late ...she's already got ...your ass...    

[Bob in St. Louis]

Maybe it's in with the unfrosted blueberry Pop Tarts on Amazon and eBay 

Thanks for the heads up Bryan. 

Rodge - I went to Margaritaville (Florida Keys) this past summer. Of course I had to order a cheeseburger (in paradise) and a Margarita. The burger was "good", the Margarita was "acceptable" but disappointing. Two things the guy has built a reputation on, and I damn near drove to Cuba to try them. 
I'll check out the website though, thanks for that!

Scott - Maybe we could get together sometime and I'll sprinkle some of my concentrate on your Poptart.  aa 

Len - Thanks man, I'll check that out.

Chris - Yup. After 18 years of marraige, I'd have to agree with you. { ME -->      <-- WIFE  }

Bob - In search of the holy grail of Margaritas.

[mcgsxr]

Perhaps I miss the intent of this thread (it happens often!) but could you not just ask the bartender of your local what the ingredients are?

Is it that the ingredients are available only to restaurants - ie some special mix etc?  There could be a restaurant or bar supply store that could help you out, I have bought lots of stuff my my local version of this - as a former bartender myself (no flair, just good drinks) I wanted to replicate the proper tools of the trade - the real shaker and ice screener etc.

[Bob in St. Louis]

When I asked him, he smiled and winked at me. A fellow could take that one of two ways; Either it's a secret and he's not telling, or he likes me.
Regardless of his intent, I left without knowledge of the recipe.
The secret is apparently as well guarded as Red Lobsters Cheddar Bay Roll recipe is.
I assume it's all part of the master conspiracy to make me go there to eat rolls and drink booze. 

Bob

[Len_Dreyer]

If anyone likes tequila shooters, here's a neighborhood favorite. Use 100% agave tequila, a couple of the local favorites are Cazadores and Cabrito. In a shot glass, use two parts tequila to one part fresh lime and add two to six drops of Tapatio hot sauce.  Have fun and don't drive.

[Dan Driscoll]

I am not sure what quality triple sec is.  Whenever I buy it orange liqour is 80 proof and Triple sec is less ~ 40
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_sec

Triple Sec and orange liqueur are the same thing. Grand Mariner, Cointreau and Patron are just better quality and higher proof. It's no different than a Chevy and a Ferrari, both are cars, one is just far superior to the other.

[sts9fan]

All I said was using Triple Sec will result in a lower alcohol content.  You agree so I am not sure what the issue is.  They are all liquids.

[SwedeSound]

I don't know that I'd call this the PERFECT margarita, but it's certainly among the easiest -- and tastiest -- I've ever had. And you'll never forget the recipe:

Ingredients
12 oz can of frozen concentrated Limeade by MinuteMaid
Tequila
Beer
Ice
Lime wedge
Salt

Dump 12 oz can of Limeade in a blender; take empty can and fill 2/3-3/4 full with your favorite Tequila (doesn't have to be fancy)
Use same can and fill 2/3 with whatever beer you have on hand (*yes, beer).
Fill rest of blender with ice cubes; blend until smooth.
Pour into salt-rimmed glass; garnish with lime wedge.
Enjoy.

I've never met a single person who didn't just LOVE these margies. If you don't agree, the next round is on me! 

[BobM]

I believe that Lime Aid recipe is the official frozen Margarita winner of the Jimmy Buffett tailgates. At least that's where I first heard of it. Simple, elegent, tasty. But I think this thread has been primarily addressing the non-frozen version, so far.

Enjoy,
Bob

[Bob in St. Louis]

BEER IN A BLENDER!? 

[Bob in St. Louis]

I've contacted Applebee's Corporate. They've issued a case number for my request. 

[Pirate]

It's all in the Tequila used. Try this in your favorite recipe for one of the Smoothest  Margaritas around. You will never use Jose Cuervo 1800 again.

El Jimador Tequila Reposado aa

"One of the few premium tequilas produced in Mexico that is estate bottled. Aged in oak barrels for a smooth taste that is full of fresh oak and vanilla flavors."

[byteme]

The perfect Margarita can be had at Poco Loco in the old Brown Deer village in Brown Deer WI.
http://www.pocolococantina.com/index.html

Ever been down to Cempazuchi on Brady?  http://www.cempazuchi.com/  They have an awesome tequila menu (i.e NO JOSE!!), offer flights of different tequilas either within one brand or type (silver, repsado, anejo) and make wonderful magaritas.  They also have phenomenal food, not your typical mexican fare, they are a regional specialist and feature some amazing mole's.  We were there last night -YUMMY!

Where is Poco Loco, is it near Larry's and Audio Emporium?

[byteme]

It's all in the Tequila used. Try this in your favorite recipe for one of the Smoothest  Margaritas around. You will never use Jose Cuervo 1800 again.

El Jimador Tequila Reposado aa

"One of the few premium tequilas produced in Mexico that is estate bottled. Aged in oak barrels for a smooth taste that is full of fresh oak and vanilla flavors."

El Jimador reposado is very nice!  Last December we stayed at Riu Palace Riviera Maya and that was their best tequila.  The others were good but not exported that I know of but the El Jimador - yummy!  All day after diving I'd lounge in or by the pool with that "la rocas" and a squeeze of lime.  I'm relaxing just thinking about it!

Another that is estate bottled and aged in oak (old Jack Daniel bbls to be exact) if you can find it is Oro Azul.  The repasado is nice but the anejo - WOW.  My buddy used to be the national sales mgr for it and I'd string his tennis racquet's for him and he'd keep me in tequila.  I'm sorry he left!

[JohninCR]

Bob,

Take it from an expert in the after-effects of margaritas, whether they're good margaritas or not.  With tequila, especially good tequila, forget everything but the shot glass, unless you prefer it chilled.  Then just shake it with some ice and strain before pouring it in the shot glasses..  With the cheaper stuff, just take that first shot like a man, and don't even think about that salt or lemon crap.  You'll thank me the next day.  All that other stuff is just hangover maker mix.  If you really want to drink some tequila, come visit me in CR, but you better get in practice first.

If it's really hot and you're itching for a nice frozen margarita to cool you down from the inside out.  Keep it simple  Tequila, Triple Sec, and Minutemaid Limeaid.  It takes very little practice to get the mix you prefer, and handily beats any of the fancy stuff.  A word of warning:  Once you learn to make your own great margarita, you'll never be able to order one when you're out, because there will always be something wrong with it.  The best you can do is give the bartender very specific instructions and end up with .  Of course, you're not supposed to order them out anyway (unless it's the primer for getting the wife schnockered with tequila shots)...stick to shots or chilled shots...seriously!  Tequila makes for the best stories, but not for public posting.

John

[EDS_]

If it's really hot and you're itching for a nice frozen margarita to cool you down from the inside out.  Keep it simple  Tequila, Triple Sec, and Minute maid Limeade.  It takes very little practice to get the mix you prefer, and handily beats any of the fancy stuff.  A word of warning:  Once you learn to make your own great margarita, you'll never be able to order one when you're out, because there will always be something wrong with it.  The best you can do is give the bartender very specific instructions and end up with .  Of course, you're not supposed to order them out anyway (unless it's the primer for getting the wife schnockered with tequila shots)...stick to shots or chilled shots...seriously!  Tequila makes for the best stories, but not for public posting.

John

Are you joking?  If not - next time you visit Dallas email me beforehand.  I'll arrange a few margaritas, on my tab, at a few different places if you'd like.  You'll be relieved of this gross misconception.

Ed

[Bob in St. Louis]

All of these suggestion are great, you guys are fantastic. Lots of mouth watering ideas here.
But as I mentioned earlier, this is for my wife. I'm 'game' to try many of your ideas, but only after I appease the boss lady with the recipe she so desires. 

Last night I took the family back to Applebee's restaurant...again. After having two "Perfect Margaritas", I'm beginning to 'dissect' the ingredients a little bit. You guys are right, I'm having a hard time finding any sweet and sour mix in there. I read the drink menu which has a liqour ingredient list. It says there's "Blue Agave" in there. 
A second attempt was made to gain the recipe the easy way, this time with the waitress, not the bartender. She flipped open her "cheat-sheet" and basically repeated what was listed in the drink menu. She apologized that she didn't know "the counts" (ratios).
And this piece of useless information was only gained after the third time I (very politely) asked for the recipe. The first time I asked she giggled and said it was a secret.

On the way home from Applebee's, we stopped by a local grocery store that has a very large liquor section. We found nothing that says "Blue Agave". They had several different "Agave's", but none that said "blue". She picked up a bottle of non-alcoholic Margarita mix labeled, "Supreme Quality 1800 Ultimate Margarita Mix" {Just add 1800 Tequila}. I don't think she'll find the results comparable with what the restaurant has, but far be it from me to deny her liquor experimentation in my house.  aa So we now have 2 one liter bottles of this mix. Have not tried it yet. Personally, I don't have high hopes as most of these mixes usually taste like chemicals that humans shouldn't be drinking, but.....what the hell, it's what she wanted.

I've not heard back from Applebee's Corporate yet. The customer service website says it may be several days before they reply. 

After re-reading the last several posts, I just realized I'd forgot to add Minutemaid Limeaid to the weekly grocery list. 
Is this only available as Mr. "SwedeSound" mentioned as a frozen concentrate? Or is it available as a concentrated powder? I vaugely remember some kind of limeade powdered stuff Mom would made when I was a kid.

Again, thanks guys! 

Bob

[loki1957]

The perfect Margarita can be had at Poco Loco in the old Brown Deer village in Brown Deer WI.
http://www.pocolococantina.com/index.html

Ever been down to Cempazuchi on Brady?  http://www.cempazuchi.com/  They have an awesome tequila menu (i.e NO JOSE!!), offer flights of different tequilas either within one brand or type (silver, repsado, anejo) and make wonderful magaritas.  They also have phenomenal food, not your typical mexican fare, they are a regional specialist and feature some amazing mole's.  We were there last night -YUMMY!

Where is Poco Loco, is it near Larry's and Audio Emporium?

Yep, you can see the sign from Brown Deer road. They are just north of AA. Great food also.

[lonewolfny42]

In the frozen foods section.....they also have a 1/2 gal. container....not sure if it tastes the same...



Bob....Can you watch the bartender as he makes the drink ?


Did you try this one ? Link...