Cool, damp weather in Boston this past weekend did nothing to deter thirsty margarita fans from coming to Time Out Market for the inaugural Best Margarita in Fenway competition. Now that it’s suddenly summer—hello, 80-plus degrees!—the winning margarita maker is kind enough to share their recipe so we can enjoy it all season long.
Bartaco, which opened a Fenway location in April, brought their signature “green” margarita, which had guests feeling great: Attendees named it the best marg in the neighborhood.
With more than 20 locations including three in Boston, bartaco dishes up easy-going, coastal-inspired street food, tacos and drinks and drinks made with fresh-squeezed juices and other premium ingredients. The beloved “green” margarita exemplifies the bar’s vibe: It features a house-made blend of pineapple, mango and spinach, which not only gives the margarita a refreshing depth of flavor, but also makes it borderline healthy. It’s spiked with Combier and Libélula Joven Tequila, sure; but the high-quality spirit is additive-free and made artisanally in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
“There is a lot of care that’s put into our bar program to ensure our cocktails are refreshing and pair well with our bold-flavored food,” says bartaco regional director Kevin Clewes. “We wanted to bring that same level of passion to this competition.”
Alexis Alves, Jo Cooper and head of beverage Augustin "Yogi" Cristerna represented bartaco at the competition in Fenway. “Throughout the event, our team met so many wonderful people,” Clewes says. It was a big success, “as we saw so many guests from the event staying in Fenway visiting the restaurants and shops in the neighborhood afterwards.”
Of course, the team is stoked to be named the winner. And they’re happy to share the recipe for the beloved green margarita. Here’s how to make it at home.
Bartaco “Green” Margarita
Ingredients
2 oz green juice (baby spinach, pineapple, mango, lime and water)
.5 oz agave
1 oz lime juice
.5 oz Combier
1.5 oz Libélula tequila
Tajin, for garnish
Method
Start by peeling and pitting the pineapple and mango and juicing the lime. Process fruit, spinach and water in a blender and strain. This is your green juice. It can be refrigerated and should be used within 6 hours. When you’re ready to make a cocktail, combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Rim a glass halfway with Tajin and serve the drink over fresh ice.
Can't get enough? Time Out Market previously shared the best Bloody Mary in Fenway (also kinda healthy!!). Stay tuned for details about the next neighborhood cocktail competition coming soon!