Tommy's Margarita
Tequila, lime and agave syrup on the rocks. A Margarita without orange liqueur, built to taste of agave.
- MethodShaken
- GlassRocks (old fashioned) glass
- IceCubes
- Strengthabout 15.0% ABV
- BaseTequila & mezcal
- Tastesour, refreshing
Recipe
| 60 ml 2 oz | Tequila blanco (100% agave) |
| 30 ml 1 oz | Fresh lime juice |
| 15 ml ½ oz | Agave syrup |
Garnish. A lime wedge on the rim; salt only if the drinker asks for it.
Method
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Shake the tequila, lime and agave syrup hard with ice for about 12 seconds.
- Strain over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
About the Tommy's Margarita
Tommy's Margarita drops the orange liqueur and sweetens with agave syrup instead, so the tequila's own vegetal, peppery character comes through clearly. It is cleaner and slightly drier than the classic, and it rewards a good tequila. It has become a standard in its own right.
History
Documented
The drink was created by Julio Bermejo at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, a family restaurant his parents opened in 1965. Bermejo has dated it to around 1989 or 1990. He built one of the largest selections of 100% agave tequilas in the United States at the restaurant, and the simplified Margarita was meant to show off that tequila rather than hide it.
Disputed or unclear: Sources give dates from 1987 to the early 1990s; the timeline follows Bermejo's own recollection.
Variations
Bartender's notes
- Agave syrup is sweeter than sugar syrup. If yours is thick and undiluted, start with 10 ml and adjust.
- The drink has no liqueur to hide behind; use your best blanco tequila.
