Margaritas of the Year and of the World

Get ready, it’s going to be a trip.

We still aren’t over the wine-loving winner from 2017, the Coralina Margarita, but it is time to add a new globally-inspired gold medal margarita to the mix. 2018 brings with it seven new contenders, each inspired by a different city from around the world that we’ve hopped ponds and crossed continents to bring you the best of the best. All the fun is really kicking off on February 22nd, International Margarita Day a.k.a. our favorite excuse for a happy hour, when voting begins to find out which inspired contender will reign supreme.

Gear up and get to know all of the cities that aim to inspire the journey to 2018 margarita madness, it’s about to begin.

Mexico City

Mexico City has returned to the limelight as a global hub of exploding flavors, where colorful cocktails and exciting plates can be found in every corner of the bustling city. José Luis León took the best and freshest flavor inspiration found around the city, meshing it with Mexico’s rich history – and legacy of tequila –  to create a frozen margarita that would inspire the world in a simple way. José Luis’s Margarita of the Year contender takes vegetal notes from celery and lime and makes them even more lovely with bright Patrón Silver and a floral touch to give you the feeling of exploring a market and sipping on some inspiration in the form of “jugo verde.” 

Barcelona

Inspired by brightly tiled, Flamenco dancing, tapas-filled moments in the historical city, Barcelona’s Margarita of the Year contender brings out the colorful flavors of the city with citrus and superb spice all in one glass. Bartender Yanaida Prado breathed Mediterranean-style life into the classic cocktail through the floral sweetness of orange and crisp, refreshing lime. The oaky agave of Patrón Reposado comes together with the flavor of the city, rivaling the experience of looking out from the height of Park Güell or gazing up at Gaudi’s other masterpieces while breathing in the salty sea air. 

Baltimore

Baltimore is harboring nothing but the most charming of margaritas the city can serve up, and bartender Aaron Joseph is harnessing it through a kick of fresh jalapeño in his contender that’ll keep you on your toes, just like the city itself. You can find charm throughout the many historic neighborhoods that are stitched together, making up Baltimore’s unique personality that truly shines year-round. And this margarita will have you feeling the warmth with a tasty passion fruit puree inspired by Aaron’s upbringing in Hawaii. Adding the fresh, crisp agave flavor of Patrón Silver into the mix makes for the perfect blend of Jalisco flavor and Baltimore style in this incredible contender.  

Boston

No city knows how to make history like Boston does, especially when it comes to bringing icons like Patrón into the fold. From starting tea-soaked revolutions to crafting world class margaritas, Boston, and its star bartender, Stephen King, are all about making legacies. The city’s Margarita of the Year contender jumps into the game, taking inspiration from a cobblestoned neighborhood where Italian flavors mixed with the flair of Boston make for a savory tomato and thyme creation that keeps history flowing in a modern direction with every sip. 

Osaka

It’s a different kind of island time in Osaka, where the summer sun shines alongside the relaxing inspiration of traditional Japan and modern flavors of the “nation’s kitchen.” This dual inspiration of embracing history and change together made the thoroughly innovative salted plum and bright lemon Margarita of the Year contender come alive. Masako Morita is bringing a fresh take to the loved legacy of plum wine by turning the historical flavor on its head and meshing them with ultra-classic Patrón Silver. Patrón has joined the blossoming cocktail culture in Osaka from halfway around the world, bringing the love of tequila all the way from Jalisco. 

Seattle

The city that runs, rain or shine, gives us the heights of Space Needle and the depth of flavors in a new Margarita of the Year contender. Seattle dazzles through the drizzle with whirl of experiences at Pike’s Place Market, historical neighborhoods worth fawning over and ingredients that only the Pacific Northwest could create, like the sharp blackberry flavor featured in this year’s contender from Megan Radke. Inspired by the farm-to-table love going on in the city, Patrón Silver was the perfect match for Seattle’s margarita with crisp freshness straight from Jalisco. 

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the ultimate mixologist, blending together many sunny cultures into one irresistible city. Chinatown meets bright Hispanic influence and big Hollywood stars, making the perfect town to branch out and hit happy hour in. Just add lightly aged Patrón Reposado and you’ll start to get a taste of LA’s Margarita of the Year contender that will make you want to hop on a plane to LAX with a dream and a drink in hand – this one features healthy chia seeds and sweet lychee. Drawing from LA’s roots and commitment to freshness, Jorge Ortega created a margarita that will win hearts and pair perfectly with the sun.

Starting February 22nd, you can get to know the margaritas even more, tasting their inspiration and ordering them for yourself at MargaritaOfTheYear.com where you will be able to vote every day for your favorite.