The Presidente margarita is a popular drink served at Chili’s restaurants. It’s made with a unique mix of ingredients that come together to create a delicious, refreshing cocktail. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into everything that goes into a Presidente margarita at Chili’s, so you know exactly what you’re getting when you order one.
Tequila
The base spirit in a Presidente margarita is tequila. Chili’s uses 100% agave tequila to make their Presidente margaritas. Agave tequila is made from only the juices of the blue agave plant, with no added sugars or syrups. This makes it higher quality than cheaper mixto tequilas, which use added sugars.
Chili’s likely uses a silver (blanco) tequila in their Presidente margaritas. Silver tequilas have a crisp, clean taste that allow the other flavors to shine through. Reposado or añejo tequilas, which are aged in oak barrels, would lend too much woodiness for the Presidente’s citrusy profile.
So you can expect a crystal clear, 100% agave silver tequila as the foundation of your Chili’s Presidente margarita. The precise tequila brand may vary from location to location, but you’ll get about 1 1/2 ounces in each drink.
Orange Liqueur
The next core component of a Presidente margarita is orange liqueur. Orange liqueur adds a touch of sweetness and, of course, bright citrus flavor.
At Chili’s, the Presidente gets its orange flavor from Triple Sec. Triple Sec is a clear, orange-flavored liqueur made from dried orange peels. It’s sweet, but with a milder sweetness than many other orange liqueurs. The subtle sweetness allows the tart lime and herbal agave flavors to still take center stage.
There’s about 1 ounce of Triple Sec in each Chili’s Presidente margarita. Between the Triple Sec and agave tequila, that’s a good 2 1/2 ounces of alcohol – strong but balanced.
Lime Juice
What would a margarita be without fresh lime juice? The tart, sour pop of lime is crucial to balancing out the sweetness of the Triple Sec.
Chili’s squeezes fresh, raw lime juice daily for their Presidente margaritas. Each drink contains about 1 ounce of lime juice – enough to provide some pucker power. The lime adds a nice bitterness that complements the agave’s herbal qualities.
Salt
A salted rim is standard for most margaritas, and the Presidente is no exception. Chili’s uses a coarse-grained kosher salt for the Presidente’s rim.
The salt doesn’t add much flavor once it’s dissolved into the drink itself. Mostly it provides a salty crunch with the first few sips, contrasting nicely with the cocktail’s tart and sweet elements. It also visually distinguishes the Presidente as a margarita.
Some Chili’s locations allow you to order your Presidente “Skinny Style” with no salt on the rim. But the traditional salted rim is part of the signature experience.
Other Ingredients
Those are the four core components – tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and salt. But a few other small ingredients enhance the Presidente’s flavor:
– Simple Syrup: A touch of simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water) helps integrate the flavors and control tartness.
– Agave Nectar: Just a dash of agave nectar adds subtle sweetness and reinforces the agave tequila’s flavor.
– Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon brightens up the citrus profile.
– Margarita Mix: The final touch is a proprietary Chili’s margarita mix, which likely contains preservatives, stabilizers, and flavor balancing agents.
So those finishing touches round out the Presidente’s flavor. But it’s still primarily an agave tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice cocktail at heart.
Serving Style
A Chili’s Presidente margarita typically comes served in a classic rounded margarita glass, also called a “margarita coup.” The glasses hold about 12 ounces.
The drinks are always shaken with ice and then poured – never blended or served over rocks. This creates a bubbly, frothy texture that’s part of the Chili’s Presidente experience.
You can choose from three serving sizes:
– Small (9 oz): Good for sipping and avoiding excess.
– Regular (12 oz): The standard size, with a perfect balance.
– Large (18 oz): For sharing or serious indulgence.
The glasses are also rimmed with that coarse salt, either on half the rim or all around depending on your preference.
Taste Profile
So what does a Chili’s Presidente margarita taste like with all these ingredients combined? Here’s a breakdown of the flavor profile:
– Citrus: Tart lime and bright lemon provide puckering acidity, balanced by orange sweetness.
– Sweet: The Triple Sec and simple syrup create a gentle sweetness, while agave nectar lends subtle honeyed notes.
– Salty: A salty crunch contrasts with the cocktail’s sweet and sour notes.
– Herbal: Earthy agave tequila brings an herbal, vegetal quality.
– Smooth: Despite robust flavors, the shake leaves a frothy, smooth texture.
The result is a refreshing, vibrant citrus flavor with herbaceous agave notes and restrained sweetness. Tart and sweet create balance, while the salt provides contrast. It’s an easy-drinking margarita with just a touch of sophistication.
Nutrition Facts
Like any restaurant cocktail, the Presidente is no health drink. Here are its approximate nutrition facts for a regular 12 oz serving:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
So you’re looking at a fairly high calorie, high sugar cocktail. But that’s to be expected – margaritas are treats, after all! Going with a smaller 9 oz size can reduce the calorie hit.
Customizations
One fun aspect of Chili’s Presidente margaritas is all the customization options. You can tweak the drink to your preferences:
– Glass rim: Salted rim on half or all around the glass. Or no salt for a “Skinny Style” option.
– Liquor: Substitute Patrón or another premium tequila for an upcharge.
– Flavor: Add mango, strawberry, or other fruity purees.
– Spice: Rim the glass with Tajín or chili-lime salt for some heat.
So feel free to adjust the Presidente to suit your perfect idea of a margarita. Just don’t obscure the core of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime too much!
Price
Chili’s runs frequent promotions on their Presidente margaritas. But generally, you can expect to pay:
– Small (9 oz): $5 to $7
– Regular (12 oz): $7 to $9
– Large (18 oz): $9 to $11
The basic Presidente is one of Chili’s most affordable margarita options. Prices go up if you customize with premium tequilas or add-ins. But a classic Presidente remains a solid value cocktail.
History
So how did the Presidente margarita become a Chili’s specialty?
The drink was created back in 1971 by a bartender at a country club near Dallas, Texas. It was supposedly named after Mexico’s president at the time.
Chili’s added the Presidente to their menu sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It quickly became one of their signature items as they expanded nationwide throughout the 90s.
Over the years, the Presidente has become Chili’s highest volume cocktail. It’s especially popular during their endless margarita specials and Margarita of the Month promotions.
So while the Presidente may not be unique to Chili’s, it’s become closely linked to the chain over the past few decades. Its popularity endures thanks to Chili’s affordable pricing, flexible customizations, and consistent quality.
Popularity
The Presidente margarita remains one of Chili’s top selling menu items after over 30 years. What makes this one cocktail so popular?
– Brand recognition: It’s widely known as a Chili’s specialty.
– Consistency: The recipe ensures it tastes the same at any location.
– Balance: Its flavors have mass appeal, not too sweet or too tart.
– Customization: Order it just how you like it.
– Value: Chili’s serves oversized, strong margaritas at modest prices.
– Promotions: Happy hour deals and margarita months keep the Presidente in demand.
– Marketing: Chili’s heavily advertises it as the chain’s signature drink.
The Presidente has earned its staying power through Chili’s savvy marketing and operational execution over the past 30+ years.
Availability
Since it’s a Chili’s creation, you can only get an authentic Presidente margarita at Chili’s restaurants. It’s served at over 1,200 Chili’s locations across the United States and a few international outposts.
You may find other restaurants or bars serving their own variations of a “Presidente margarita.” But the Chili’s version remains the original and most popular.
Within Chili’s restaurants, the Presidente is available anytime they’re serving. However, it’s most in-demand during:
– Happy hour (3 pm – 6 pm on weekdays)
– Late night (after 9 pm)
– Margarita of the Month promos
– Holidays like Cinco de Mayo and National Margarita Day
Chili’s also allows take-home purchases of bottles of the Presidente margarita mix at select locations. But the experience of a freshly shaken in-house Presidente remains unmatched.
Comparable Drinks
While the Presidente margarita is uniquely associated with Chili’s, you may enjoy similar margaritas at other chain restaurants. Comparable drinks include:
Applebee’s Perfect Margarita
– Similar balance of sweet and tart
– Uses generic “margarita mix” instead of fresh citrus
On The Border Grand frozen margarita
– Blended instead of shaken
– More fruit-flavored options
– Higher alcohol content
Chevys Fresh Mex House Margarita
– Made with sour mix rather than fresh lime
– Only available on rocks or frozen
– More basic tequila
TGI Fridays Strawberry Margarita
– Fruit-flavored with strawberry puree
– Lower alcohol content
– Extremely sweet and artificially colored
No other margarita quite matches the Presidente’s combination of flavor, value, and customization. But the above options may appeal if you’re seeking a similar premium restaurant-style margarita.
Reception
So how do customers and reviewers rate Chili’s Presidente margarita after all these years?
The Presidente earns an average 4 out of 5 star customer rating on the Chili’s website. Positive reviews praise its strong alcohol content, fresh citrus flavor, and crave-worthy salt rim.
Food critics have varying opinions on the Presidente. Some acclaim its balance of tart, sweet, and salty. Others critique its use of sour mix instead of fresh citrus.
Overall the Presidente remains well-regarded for a chain restaurant cocktail featuring tequila, orange liqueur, and lime. Its fans return for the familiar, dependable flavor.
Conclusion
Chili’s Presidente margarita has earned an iconic reputation over the past 30+ years. This classic cocktail features a straightforward mix of high-quality tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and salt. Customization options allow you to tailor the drink to your tastes.
While not highly sophisticated, the Presidente delivers solid value with its happy hour prices and generous serving sizes. It’s a comforting classic with wide appeal thanks to Chili’s signature recipe and marketing. Sipping a Presidente remains a go-to indulgence for Chili’s fans old and new.
Next time you’re craving a dependable margarita in a casual setting, consider stopping by Chili’s to enjoy this iconic drink. The Presidente will transport you back to Chili’s glory days with its smooth, citrusy flavor and buzzworthy strength. Just be careful not to sip too many – this president packs a punch!