If there was ever a perfect summer drink it’s a margarita. That bitter-sweet, cold tang over ice hits the spot like nothing else. It’s also one of the few drinks that you can make on the go – just in time for the new freedoms hitting Sydney and Melbourne this weekend.

Last week, we brought you the perfect martini – a sophisticated drink that you can whip up when someone you want to impress comes over. This week, we chose the margarita because, let’s admit it, this is the drink of good times. Loose times, but good times.

Everyone has a good margarita story. And by good, that doesn’t necessarily mean waking up feeling like you’ve had a $600 day spa experience. Which in reality, is the best kind of margarita story.

So ahead of weekend shenanigans with five of your favourite vaccinated besties, we spoke to Mary’s founder Jake Smyth to learn how to make the perfect picnic-ready margarita.

Margarita, cocktails
The man the myth the margarita maker, Jake Smyth. Image: Supplied.

You’ll need: tequila, lime juice (fresh, don’t be a child), agave syrup, ice. 

 WHO ARE WE?

I’m Jake Smyth .

WHERE DO YOU WORK

I own Mary’s in Newtown.

 WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO OPEN A BAR?

At the time we opened Mary’s, the bar scene in Sydney was exploding. The drinks were brilliant, the service was elevating and the venues were thoughtful and well curated. But we wanted a little chaos. A place to party, and drown in music, booze and delicious food. 

WHAT WAS THE FIRST DRINK YOU EVER LEARNT TO MAKE?

Lol. A Cuba Libre. Basically a Rum and Coke with half a lime. I was f***ing thrilled.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE COCKTAIL TO DRINK?

Anything frozen and anything stirred down. I’m a man of extremes, so the purity of a stirred drink is balanced by the trash of the frozen.

Margarita
Mezcal Vago from P+V Merchants. Image: Supplied.

FAVOURITE LIQUOR TO WORK WITH?

Mezcal is having a moment, which is utterly deserved due to its smokey brilliance and chaotic refusal to be categorised.

It works well as a counterpoint to sharp citrus or standing proud as its own focal point.

WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE DRINK TO MAKE?

Currently the frozen margarita is on the menu in my house. small blenders have become fairly ubiquitous in households, due to the well meaning attempts at juice cleanses. I use mine more appropriately as a home for booze, citrus and sweetener.

WHAT DO WE NEED, AND HOW DO YOU MAKE IT?

This is the easiest drink in the world, and a classic for a lot of reasons. After years of working in bars, I hate making fancy cocktails at home. I want it fast, tasty, and with a kick. Tick Tick Tick.

margarita, cocktail
Ya esta! Image: Supplied

FROZEN TOMMY’S MARGARITA – makes 2

A bench top blender (dust it out of the back of your kitchen cupboard)

120ml Tequila or Mescal (something between teenage house party and sipping quality – try either Mezcal Vago Elote for a treat or Rooster Rojo Blanco tequila)

75ml Fresh Lime juice

45ml Agave syrup

Ice (Start with enough ice to cover the liquid. Add more ice to desired consistency.)

Stick it all in a blender and drink!

FLAVOUR TIP

Add a handful of frozen fruit to replace some ice if you want to get creative. Frozen berries and mangos are a good move. But the classic is where it’s at.

If you’re time poor, got no blender, or just keen to hit the grass and pour, you can also cheat your way to the perfect margarita with a Mezcal Tommy’s Margarita Pack.