Friday, March 29, 2024

Pre-Cinco de Mayo Taste Test: Which Mexican Restaurant in Coronado Serves the Best Margarita?

Cinco de MayoCinco de Mayo (Spanish for the fifth of May) is this Friday! Often people think the day represents Mexico’s Independence Day, but, according to History.com, it’s “an observance of the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).”

Whether or not people know the true reason behind the holiday’s observance, the day is often celebrated by enjoying margaritas. The drink, which has tequila as its main ingredient, is well known, yet every establishment’s proprietary blend tastes different.

Along with two of my trusted peers from The Coronado Times, we went on a quest to find the best margarita in the Village. While there are obviously plenty of restaurants on “island” that serve margaritas, we decided to stick with those that are Mexican themed:  Miguel’s Cocina, Costa Azul, and Candelas on the Bay. (We tried to go to Taco Bell too, but apparently they don’t serve margaritas. What a pity!)

My amigas and I, who I shall refer to as judges Uno, Dos, and Tres, have all had our fair share of margaritas over the years. While it would have indeed been fun for us to each order our own margaritas, at each establishment we instead chose to only order a single margarita for all three of us to share. (It’s a marathon, not a sprint!) That way, of course, we could ensure that we were able to remain impartial as we evaluated individual margaritas without having our judgment tainted by the cumulative effects of each drink. Also we could safely ride our bicycles from location to location without worrying about biking under the influence. (Yes, that’s against the law in California just like driving under the influence is. Now you know that. You’re welcome.)

bikes at the Ferry Landing
California Vehicle Code section 21200.5 prohibits riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both.

Miguel’s Cocina

Miguel's Cocina

Our first stop was Miguel’s Cocina, located at 1351 Orange Avenue. Miguel’s offers happy hour prices Sunday-Friday from 3:00-6:00pm.

We ordered Miguel’s Ultimate MargaritaThe house specialty, with Cuervo Traditional Reposado, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, fresh citrus juices.

Miguel’s Ultimate Margarita costs $11, but because we went during happy hour, our margarita cost $9.

Miguel's Ultimate Margarita
Our waiter advised us to hold the lid on the shaker before refilling our Miguel’s Ultimate Margarita.

The Three Amigas’ Review of Miguel’s Ultimate Margarita:

Uno: “This takes me back to Mexican getaways! It’s very authentic, and reminds me of laying by the pool in Mexico.”

Dos:  “Oooh! That’s tasty! I can definitely taste the fresh citrus. It’s not too strong, and not too tequila-y.”

Tres: “This is what a margarita should taste like! It’s so smooth. I like how it didn’t give me a shiver when I took my first sip.”

Miguel's margarita list
Miguel’s offers an extensive array of margaritas.
With the same ownership as Miguel’s, Brigantine’s margarita menu is essentially the same as Miguel’s.

All three of us gave Miguel’s Ultimate Margarita rave reviews, and said we would definitely return to try another margarita on a future visit to Miguel’s. It should be noted that the Brigantine, which is located next door to Miguel’s, serves the same margaritas as Miguel’s, but some of the names of the margaritas are different. (For example, Miguel’s Ultimate Margarita is the same as the Brig Hand-Shaken.) Brigantine offers happy hour prices on Mondays from 4:00-11:00pm and Tuesday-Sunday from 4:00-6:00pm and 9:30-11:00pm.

Brigantine margaritas
Brigantine’s offering of margaritas is mostly the same as Miguel’s.

Costa Azul

Costa Azul
Costa Azul is offering margarita specials this month.

Our next stop was Costa Azul, located at 1031 Orange Avenue. Costa Azul offers happy hour prices 3:00-6:30pm every day except Saturdays.

We ordered the 16 ounce Costa Rita: A larger margarita made with Sauza Tequila and house-made sweet and sour mix. Served on the rocks or frozen with salt.

The Costa Rita costs $9.50, but because we went during happy hour, ours cost $7.95.

Costa Azul's Costa Rica and chips & salsa
The coloring of Costa Azul’s Costa Rita seemed uneven with it appearing darker toward the bottom of the glass.

The Three Amigas’ Review of Costa Azul’s Costa Rita:

Uno: “Look at the coloring. There’s a lot of separation in it. I’m going to stir it. My taste buds just got punched in the gut. I feel like it would give me a hangover.”

Dos:  “The presentation isn’t very exciting. It’s very tart, and gives me a pucker face.”

Tres:  “It’s really sour! If I was out with my husband, I would totally pawn this off on him. I wonder what is in the house-made sweet and sour mix.”

Dos:  “Maybe we should dump all the salt on the rim into it, and add the lime.”

Uno and Tres:  “Good call! That tastes much better!”

Dos:  “No more pucker face, although I’d be content with just one of these. It’s much stronger than Miguel’s.”

Uno:  “Even though it’s better with the salt and lime, the next time I would probably explore a different drink rather than ordering this again. The Adios Mother sounds good.”

Dos: “I would order the Escalade. It doesn’t have the sweet and sour mix.”

Costa Azul cocktail list
Costa Azul’s happy hour drink specials and margarita and tequila offerings during non-happy hour times

Candelas on the Bay

Candelas on the Bay

Our next stop was Candelas on the Bay, located at 1201 1st Street, #115. Candelas offers happy hour prices every day from 11:00am – close.

We ordered the Mezcal Margarita:  Mezcal / Lime Juice / Agave Nectar. The Mezcal Margarita costs $9.

Candelas mezcal margarita and chips & salsa
Candelas on the Bay’s Mezcal Margarita almost looked clear.

The Three Amigas’ Review of Candelas on the Bay’s Mezcal Margarita:

Uno:  “I’d drink this like water! It’s very fresh, and now it’s making me wonder why the other margaritas we tried were so yellow. This is like the adult version of lemonade!”

Dos:  “This is smooth and fresh. It’s my favorite because it’s more pleasing visually, and I love the taste.”

Tres:  “It’s so light in color. I like how it has a smoky flavor.”

Dos:  “The smoky flavor is from the Mezcal.

Tres:  “I’m loving how it tastes naturally sweet rather than artificially sweet. I can totally tell how the agave nectar makes such a difference all around. I feel like I could drink more than one of these without getting an upset stomach.”

Uno:  ” . . . or a hangover!”

Tres:  “This is fewer ounces than the first two margaritas we tried today, but it doesn’t make a difference in whether I would choose to order it again. I love it!”

Candelas on the Bay Cocktail list
Candelas on the Bay’s selection of margaritas. Uno and Dos said they’d like to try the Jalapeno-Pineapple Margarita next time, and Tres said she wants to try the Pomegranate Margarita.

Conclusion

A shirt I saw in Old Town

Between Miguel’s, Costa Azul, and Candelas alone, there are 28 margaritas from which to choose! While it’s comforting ordering a drink with which you are already familiar, it’s also fun to try something new from time to time. One added perk of each of the three restaurants we tried is that they all served us complimentary chips and salsa. Gracias!

I don’t normally order a drink to share with friends, but I enjoyed the way we shared each margarita. Sometimes when I’m feeling brave, and I order something I’ve never tried before, I find myself feeling disappointed when it’s not as good as I imagined. Sharing a drink with a friend is the perfect way to try a new drink without the pressure of having to enjoy each sip.

If you find yourself out this Cinco de Mayo, perhaps you’ll try one of the margaritas we tried. If so, The Coronado Times welcomes your feedback! What’s your favorite margarita in Coronado? Choosing to stay at home? Share your most trusted margarita recipe with us!

mezcal margarita
It’s all in a day’s work! Let The Coronado Times know what your favorite margarita in town is!

 

 



Coree Cornelius
Coree Cornelius
Resident, Educator, Military Spouse, and Mother."I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list." - Susan Sontag.Have news to share? Send tips, story ideas or letters to the editor to: [email protected]

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