Feb. 22 is National Margarita Day, which means special offers and seasonal drinks at many Chicago restaurants. Beyond the basic margarita — tequila, triple sec and lime juice with a salt rim — these spots will also serve inventive, unexpected twists on the classic cocktail.
ESTA LOCA
Passion Fruit and Pomegranate: Esta Loca is a bright, Mexican-inspired restaurant in the Loop across from Millennium Park. Its frozen margarita includes tequila, Cointreau and agave nectar with a salted rim for $16. Beyond the basic lime, Esta Loca’s margaritas can come with huckleberry, passion fruit, pomegranate or mango, as well as an alternating flavor of the month.
EMILY HOTEL
Like Day and Night: Fora and Selva, both located in the Emily Hotel in the West Loop, will serve margaritas with the classic fixings — tequila, Cointreau and lime. Fora’s happy hour will include the margarita for $8 to pair with its relaxing, woodsy vibe. The sleek cocktail bar at Selva sources its mezcal straight from Oaxaca and includes a late-night happy hour with half-priced drinks from 9 p.m. to closing on Thursdays.
CESAR’S KILLER MARGARITAS
Shareable Mega-Rita: As the name suggests, this Lakeview restaurant specializes in margaritas. Cesar’s is making the holiday its own with a shareable Super Mega-Rita and a margarita flight, available in more than 20 different flavors. The heated patio is also a plus for those hoping to stave off the lingering Chicago winter.
CHICAGO EMPANADA MAMA
Half-Priced All Day: The Puerto Rican-inspired Chicago Empanada Mama will offer half-priced margaritas for the holiday. Located in West Town, its cool, citrusy drinks pair well with its hot, crispy handmade empanadas, which range from savory and cheesy to sweet and buttery. Finish off with coconut flan or a vanilla affogato under the lush, vibrant flowers hanging from the ceiling.
ROSE MARY
Italian-Croatian Fusion: Margaritas aren’t typically creamy, but Rose Mary’s Spicy Margarita Milk Punch changes the game. Made with in-house clarified milk and Cimarron reposado tequila, the $17 margarita packs a punch to match the rest of the West Loop restaurant’s Italian-and-Croatian-inspired pastas and grilled meats.
BAR LA RUE
Smoke and Spice: Fulton Market’s Bar La Rue‘s offering for National Margarita Day is a variation of its French Kiss. The drink includes both mezcal and Jose Cuervo tequila, plus Strega (an Italian herbal liqueur), mango and lime, and is rimmed with volcanic chili salt.
Vela Bar y Cocina
Next-Level Margs: Known for its extensive list of tequilas and mezcals, Vela Bar y Cocina has created four innovative margaritas. Check out the Miso Blueberry, Spicy Carrot, Strawberries & Peas and Yuzu Pineapple at the River North hotspot from now until Feb. 23.
GRILL ON 21
Eco-Friendly Eats: This sleek steakhouse, located in the LaSalle Hotel in the Loop, has an eye for sustainability. With elegant starters like tartare and octopus and elevated mains like wagyu and prime beef burgers, Grill on 21 sources its meat from local farmers, ranchers and sustainable fisheries. Its $18 Black Diamond Margarita includes a smooth tequila, agave and a black salt rim.
PETTERINO’S
Margaritas Italian Style: Italy meets Mexico with Petterino’s $16 Sicilian Margarita, flavored with prickly pear and amaretto. The homey, warm ambience of Petterino’s matches its comforting bowls of pasta and pizza pies in the heart of the Loop.
MERCADITO
More Than 75 Mezcals: For all of February, Mercadito is serving its $16 La Vida Rosa margarita, an upscale take with Aperol, champagne and strawberries. The River North restaurant stocks more than 75 types of mezcal and a kitchen with Mexican classics. Pair the La Vida Rosa with one of its three guacamoles or three ceviches.
