While the mighty margarita is an undisputed all-star cocktail, its origin is highly contested. Regardless, Lowcountry bars and restaurants are offering their own special (ahem) twists on the tequila-based drink as tributes to May 5, Cinco de Mayo.
“One story claims that the drink was created in 1938, as Mexican restaurant owner Carlos (Danny) Herrera mixed it for gorgeous Ziegfeld showgirl Marjorie King,” according to a Wine Enthusiast article. Supposedly, tequila was the only alcohol that King would abide, so Herrera added lime juice and salt.
“Other claims include that Texas socialite Margaret Sames (also known as “Margarita”) mixed the first drink at a house party in Mexico during 1948. Or maybe it was named for actress Rita Hayworth (whose real name was Margarita Casino) during a gig in Tijuana in the 1940s.”
Whatever the origin story may be, one thing for certain is that the margarita is a drink you can enjoy all year long. But on Cinco de Mayo – the anniversary of the 1862 victory by Mexican troops over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla – the margarita tastes a little bit better.
Looking to celebrate? Check out these Charleston restaurants and bars serving more than 30 classic and interpreted margaritas as well as food specials on the holiday.
Food and drink specials for Cinco de Mayo
Maya del Sol Kitchen is hosting mole nights on May 7, 8 and 9. Reservations can be made by calling 843.202.0792 or emailing raulsmayadelsol@gmail.com.
Pink Cactus opens at noon May 5. Expect specials all day like $5 house lime margaritas and $25 house lime margarita pitchers. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with $7 house margaritas, $5 chips and queso and $5 tacos as well as a taco bowl Tuesday special for $9.
Taco Boy will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo on “Tequila Tuesday” with $5 Casa Margaritas all day at all locations. Additionally, Taco Boy downtown will be hosting musician Liam Murphy on the patio from 4 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Folly Beach will have DJs Erin Elyse and Mike Tech from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On the water: Taco Boy is also partnering with the Daniel Island Ferry on May 5 for a Cinco de Mayo cruise with food, margaritas and an open bar from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Leaving from the Cooper Hotel Dock, all-inclusive tickets are $75. More: diferry.com/schedule
Other margaritas around town
Xo Brasserie’s Golden Phoenix. Photo via Harbor Creative Marketing. 
Battery Rose Margarita. Photo: Lawson Builder. at The Crossing. Photo via 
The 513 Margarita at The Darling. Photo by Andrew Cebulka. 
Margarita at Stems & Skins. Photo provided. 
Post House Inn’s margarita. Photo: Andrew Cebulks. A margarita by Pink Cactus. Credit: Provided 
OKu’s Melancholy Ranch. Photo provided. 
Margarita at Millers All Day. Photo provided. 
Margarita at Katsubo. Photo provided. 
Indaco’s Chai Town margarita. Photo provided. 
Flat Lux Black Pearl at Hotel Bennett. Photo provided. 
Brasserie La Banque’s e Belle Fraise. Photo provided. 
The beet margarita at Basic Kitchen. Photo provided. 
Bar Vaute’s margarita. Photo provided.
Here are more than 30 places where you can get margaritas around the area to mark the Cinco de Mayo fiesta (in alphabetical order):
Azul Mexicano downtown offers many margaritas including one with jalapeno infused silver tequila and lime margarita mix as well as “Azul’s Treasure,” made with Patron silver tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, a splash of orange juice and Chambord dripped center.
Bar 167’s Mallorca margarita has tequila, lime, herb agave and chili salt.
Bar Taco has a handful of margaritas including its house one with libélula joven tequila, combier liqueur d’orange, agave syrup and lime juice and a passion fruit Oaxacan margarita with passionfruit, citrus, mint, banhez mezcal mist and chia.
The “Yellowjacket” cocktail at Bar Vaute mixes lunazul reposado, ancho reyes, domine de canton ginger, lemon, honey and angostura bitters.
Basic Kitchen serves a beet margarita with tequila blanco, beet, orange, lime and agave.
Blanca Estrada Taqueria keeps it simple when it comes to its margarita, going very classic with fresh lime juice.
Brasserie la Banque’s “Belle Fraise” has Lunazul blanco tequila, rhubarb liqueur, strawberries, orgeat and lime.
The hot honey margarita at By the Way mixes up Don Julio blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, hot sauce, hot honey and lime and serves it with a spicy salt rim.
Catrina’s Tacos and Tequila has extensive margarita options including a pineapple habanero option, one with guava and the “Coco Loco” with cream of coconut and coconut flakes.
The Crossing at the Cooper Hotel offers a “Battery Rose” margarita made with Codigo blanco tequila, Cointreau, hibiscus, rose and citrus.
The “513” at the Darling Oyster Bar has Astral tequila, lime, blood orange and agave.
El Jefe Texican Cantina offers a dedicated margarita menu with choices like the frozen “Tropical Storm” with coconut rum and blue curacao and the “Gringo” with orange infused tequila, triple sec and house-made sour.
El Pincho Taco offers variety when it comes to margaritas, including a margarita flight so you don’t have to pick just one.
Fiat Lux, the rooftop bar and restaurant at Hotel Bennett, serves the “Black Pearl” made with Don Julio Reposado tequila, chipotle, lime, mango and agave.
The “Chai Town” at Indaco has chai infused lunazul blanco tequila, lemon, pineapple and vanilla.
Juanita Greenberg‘s downtown and Mount Pleasant locations offer extensive margarita options, including the infamous “Texas Grandma” margarita made with Sauza Gold tequila, a signature margarita mix and a Grand Marnier floater.
The yuzu margarita at Katsubo is an acidic and zesty mix of lime and yuzu juices, coconut oolong simple syrup and triple sec. It also includes habanero bitters and a togarashi rim to add a peppery kick.
James Island’s Kwei Fei offers the “Institutionalized” cocktail made with seasonal pepper infused tequila, passion fruit and lime to pair with its spicy, Sichuan menu.
Matador Charleston’s margarita options include a pineapple-cucumber one with El Mayor blanco, triple sec, pineapple, cucumber, lime, agave, Tajín and chamoy-marinated dried pineapple as well as non-alcoholic options.
Mesu blends Mexican and Japanese cuisine and its Mesu Skinny Margarita has Patrón Reposado “Mesu” barrel select, fresh lime, agave yuzu sake and Mesu salt.
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina has locations on Sullivan’s Island and in West Ashley with margarita options like the “Mex 1 Marg” with Lunazul reposado tequila and house-made Mex 1 mix and one with house-infused pineapple habanero tequila and Mex 1 mix.
Millers All Day’s new blackberry coconut cream margarita is part of its revamped cocktail menu at the downtown location, and mixes up lunazul tequila, blackberry syrup, and coconut cream.
The “Melancholy Ranch” at O-Ku has : Lunazul blanco tequila, ancho reyes verde, watermelon, coconut water, lime and agave.
Italian restaurant Pelato has a limoncello margarita made with blanco tequila, limoncello, orange liqueur, lemon and lime juice.
The downtown, Mount Pleasant and West Ashley locations of Santi’s offer extensive options when it comes to margaritas, from a skinny one to a spicy one to frozen options and many in-between.
The Pink Cactus margarita is made with prickly pear simple syrup from Brushfire Farms, Lunazul blanco tequila and lime juice, finished with a touch of black salt. The restaurant also offers a coconut margarita with cream of coconut, Lunazul blanco tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, black salt and a dusting of lime zest.
The pineapple margarita at Post House Inn Restaurant comes with tequila, pineapple, lime and agave.
The Margarita del Sol at Prohibition is made with Nock tequila blanco, Illegal mezcal, pineapple, lime and agave and is finished with a Tajin rim and a fresh pineapple slice.
Rancho Lewis’s house margarita comes with Lunazul tequila and is shaken extra cold, served on the rocks. You can add fresh mango or spicy green chile to the traditional frozen margarita and there is also the “Rancho Rita,” which has Reposado tequila, Cointreau and lime.
La Taqueria El Molina on Johns Island is as authentic as it comes. For margaritas, there’s a classic, there are flavored options and there’s a spicy pepino margarita with fresh cucumber, lime, and a spicy kick on the rocks with a Tajin rim.
Villa Cantina’s Summerville and West Ashley locations have a dedicated margarita menu including a cranberry version with Montezuma Solver tequila, sour mix, triple sec and a splash of cranberry juice and the “Green Iguana” with Midori melon liqueur, Montezuma gold tequila, triple sec and sour mix.
The “Golden Phoenix” at downtown’s Xo Brasserie is made with tequila, caramelized pineapple, hibiscus, lemon and ginger beer.
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