Tequila! Where to find 9 of Adelaide’s best margaritas

Don’t let a bad tequila experience deter you – an ice-cold margarita could be the cure for the heatwave blues. Here are some of the best across town.

“I’ll never drink tequila again” – a common refrain from almost anyone over legal drinking age who’s had a bad experience with a lemon and salt-slammed spirit.

But there’s more to this humble Mexican beverage than just shots and regret. Enter: the margarita.

Zesty, light and served ice-cold, this cocktail is back in vogue and has cemented itself as a mainstay of Adelaide’s drinks scene.

Because no excuses are needed to enjoy a delicious margarita, we’ve wrapped up some of the best and most interesting cocktail concoctions across town to keep you cool and hydrated.

An ice-cold margarita is the perfect cure for a sweltering day. Picture: Refreshment Club

Pink Moon Saloon, CBD

Named Australia’s best bar in 2016, the mixologist maestros at this Leigh St venue know how to whip up a drink.

Their classic margarita – served in a coupe glass with a half-salt rim – keeps it simple with blanco tequila, triple sec and a healthy squeeze of citrus.

Mia Margarita, Henley Beach

When it’s in the name, expectations are high. Luckily, hip Henley Beach hangout Mia Margarita certainly delivers.

Their classic Mia’s Margarita is spiced up with mezcal, a wasabi salt rim and avocado (yes, avocado), while a rotating roster of frozen margarita flavours will keep your tastebuds busy through the heat.

For another twist on the old favourite, their Chameleon cocktail sweetens up the classic tequila and triple sec with clarified watermelon juice, sugar and pink salt.

Javier Chiquillo, 35, and Zac Sipek, 24, enjoying margaritas at the Refreshment Club on Rundle Street. Picture: Ben Clark

Refreshment Club, CBD

Perched atop Rundle Street hangout Two Pot Screamer, Refreshment Club’s margaritas are tied together with Respondo tequila, blended citrus and sugar syrup.

Marg lovers can sip on a classic, spicy or watermelon cocktail on the balcony as they take in the festival season sights of the East End.

Madame Hanoi, CBD

While Madame Hanoi’s decorated French-Vietnamese flavours might not immediately conjure margarita dreams, it turns out their signature mix is the perfect accompaniment to a bao basket.

El Jimador tequila, Choya Umeshu – a Japanese plum wine liqueur – Vietnamese mint and lime make their Plum Margarita a must-try.

Dolly's coconut lime margarita puts a creamy spin on the classic. Picture: Instagram / Dolly

Dolly, Unley

It has big shoes to fill as the sister store to eastern suburbs hit Bar Lune, but Unley’s new kid on the block is walking its own path when it comes to exciting cocktail offerings.

Dolly’s Coconut Mint Margarita keeps things fresh and vibrant with the addition of creamy coconut to the classic, sliced through by zingy lime, mint, tequila and triple sec.

La Adelita Mexican Cantina, Semaphore

For Semaphore locals in the know, La Adelita Cantina is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant with a killer adults-only margarita menu.

Pop in on a Friday to sample their impressive range of frozen or classic margaritas. For those feeling a little adventurous, the signature spicy margarita will get your tastebuds tingling.

Fishbank, CBD

Its namesake may be Tommy’s, but this swish King William Rd venue’s Tommy’s Margarita is far from rough.

The perfect pairing for seafood, Fishbank’s margarita is offered with a choice of Arquitecto Blanco, Ocho Blanco or Corralejo Anejo tequila.

2KW keeps it simple with its salt-rimmed classic margarita. Picture: Facebook / 2KW

2KW, CBD

If there was ever a sun-soaked panoramic view worthy of a margarita in hand, it’s at this bourgeois rooftop bar.

Keeping it simple with a neat salt rim and the classic cocktail blend, 2KW’s ice-cold cocktail will make the sunset all-the-more sweet.

There’s no doubt this crew knows its way around tequila – hosting a dedicated agave experience as part of Tasting Australia in May.

Mississippi Moon’s margarita – say that three times. Picture: Instagram / Mississippi Moon

Mississippi Moon, CBD

If spinning vinyl records while sipping cocktails is your thing, tuck yourself into this hole-in-the-wall west end haunt and order the Mezcal Margarita.

Served on the rocks, this marg shines with mezcal, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice and a squeeze of agave syrup for sweetness.

Did we miss one of your favourite cocktail connoisseurs? Let us know in the comments below.