A margarita just wouldn’t be a margarita without that perfect salty rim around the glass. The salty rim is an essential component of the classic margarita, as it provides a delicious contrast to the sweet and sour flavors of the cocktail. But with so many types of salt readily available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for margarita rims. The salt brings out the flavors of the drink in a way that no other garnish can. So it’s important to use a high quality salt that complements, rather than overpowers, the other ingredients. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors to consider when choosing a salt for your margarita rim.
Flavor
The most important factor in choosing a margarita salt is the flavor. You want a salt that has a clean, neutral taste that won’t compete with the lime and tequila flavors of the margarita itself. Table salt or iodized salt has a flat, one-dimensional salty taste. While fine for cooking, these salts aren’t ideal for margarita rims as they can make the drink taste overly salty.
Instead, look for a salt with a more complex, nuanced flavor. Sea salts and specialty artisanal salts have delicious layers of flavor that enhance the margarita. The best ones will have a bright, pure saltiness balanced with subtle mineral notes. Fleur de sel, Hawaiian sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and smoked salts are all good options. Stay away from heavily flavored salts like cajun seasoning salts or garlic salt, as these will overwhelm the margarita.
Fleur de Sel
Fleur de sel, a French sea salt traditionally harvested from the Brittany region, is a fantastic choice for margarita rims. The soft, flaky crystals have a delicate crunch and clean salt flavor with lovely briny notes. It adds just the right hint of salt without being overpowering.
Hawaiian Sea Salt
Hawaiian sea salts are prized for their mild, mineral-rich flavor. The combination of scarlet and black volcanic clays gives many Hawaiian sea salts an eye-catching color ranging from pink to russet. Red Hawaiian sea salt is one of the top salts for margarita rims, as its crispy crunch and bright salinity balance beautifully with the flavors of lime and tequila.
Himalayan Pink Salt
Mined from salt beds in Pakistan, Himalayan pink salt has a light pink hue and subtle mineral taste. The salt crystals have a softness that melts pleasantly on the tongue. Himalayan pink salt makes for an elegant margarita rim that adds a delicate salty hit.
Smoked Sea Salt
For a showstopping margarita presentation, try a smoked salt. Smoked salts are smoked over wood, often using mesquite, to impart a rich, smoky flavor. The smoke complements the natural saltiness, adding incredible depth and complexity. Smoked Maldon sea salt is a popular choice, though other smoked sea salts work beautifully too. Just use a light hand when salting the rim, as a little smoked salt goes a long way.
Crystal Size
Look for salts with a medium crystal size for your margarita rim. Fine, powdery salts dissolve too quickly and tend to make the drink salty. On the other hand, large chunky crystals don’t adhere well and can fall into the glass.
Medium grain salts, about 2-4mm in size, stick best to the rim. Their crunchy texture provides little bursts of saltiness with each sip. Sea salts and flake salts like Maldon typically have the perfect margarita rim crystal size. If using a finely ground salt, try combining it with a bit of sugar or agave nectar so it will stick better.
Rim Adhesion
You want a salt that will properly adhere to the glass rim without falling off. Moisture is the enemy when salting margarita glasses. The key is to thoroughly dry the rim of the glass before applying salt. Letting glasses air dry upside down for a few minutes ensures no errant drips will dissolve the salt.
When salting the rim, dip the top of the glass in lime juice or other acidic juice like lemon or grapefruit first. The acid slightly etches the surface of the glass, giving the salt crystals something to grip. Tap any excess juice and quickly roll the outer rim in a shallow plate of salt to coat evenly.
Let the salted rim sit for 1-2 minutes to allow the salt crystals time to properly adhere before pouring in your margarita. Using this technique with a medium grain salt will keep it clinging securely.
Cost
When stocking your home bar with salts, cost is a consideration. Specialty sea salts and artisanal salts can get pricey, ranging from $5-$15 for a 5-8oz jar. More common table and kosher salts cost just a dollar or two for a large box.
I recommend buying one or two higher end sea salts specifically for margarita rims and keeping a box of kosher salt on hand for everyday cooking uses. The flavor and texture upgrades are worth the splurge on a nicer sea salt for your margaritas.
To save money, buy high end salts in smaller quantities. The flavor and quality degrade over time with exposure to air, light, and humidity. By buying just what you’ll use in a few months, you get maximum enjoyment of the special salts.
Best Value Salts
Here are some top salts that deliver great margarita rim flavor at a reasonable price:
– Real Salt or San Francisco Salt Company Sea Salt – About $5 for 8oz
– Kirkland Signature Sea Salt from Costco – $7 for 1.5 pounds
– La Baleine Sea Salt – Around $3 for 26oz box
– Trader Joe’s Sea Salt – $2 for 17oz grinder
Grinders vs. Jars
Salts sold in grinder bottles are quick and easy to use. A few grind twists over your margarita glass and you’ve got perfect coverage every time. The downside is that grinders don’t allow you to moisten the rim and adhere the salt as described earlier. The grinders work best for very dry glass rims.
Salts sold in jars require the extra step of rolling the moistened glass in a plate of salt. But you can create a flawless salty rim with better adhesion. Jars also let you see the salt crystals and better control the crystal size used. For the classic margarita presentation, I recommend buying salts in jars rather than grinders.
Margarita Salt Blends
While plain salt delivers perfect margarita rims, you can also find premade blends specifically for margaritas. These incorporate additions like lime zest, chili powder or citrus juices to add extra flavor.
Margarita salt blends offer convenience, saving you the effort of making your own blend. But on the downside, the flavors are fixed and you have less ability to control the proportions.
I suggest trying a few different premade blends to identify your favorites. Once you find a blend you love, learn what’s in it and try recreating it yourself with salt and extra flavorings like lime zest and chili powder. This lets you customize the blend to suit your exact taste.
Popular Margarita Salt Blends
– Tajin Clasico Seasoning – Chili-lime blend
– Lawry’s Margarita Salt – Lime and citrus flavors
– Simply Organic Margarita Salt – Lime zest and lemon zest
– Trufflin Margarita Salt – Lime and black truffle flavors
Making Your Own Blends
One of the best parts of making margaritas at home is customizing them exactly how you like. The rim salt offers the perfect chance for creativity and experimentation.
Start with a base of high quality sea salt and add any extra flavors that appeal to you. Citrus zests add bright notes, chili powder brings heat, and herbs provide freshness. Here are some recommended add-ins:
– Lime, lemon or grapefruit zest
– Orange zest
– Finely minced cilantro or parsley
– Ground chili powder or cayenne
– Minced jalapeño or serrano
– Crushed dried oregano or thyme
– Freshly ground black pepper
– Dried lavender buds
Mix the salt and flavorings together in a small bowl, adjusting the proportions until you love the blend. Spread into a shallow rimmed plate and moisten and rim your glasses as usual. Custom salt blends also make great gifts for margarita-loving friends.
Salt Alternatives
While salt is the tried and true rim choice, other alternatives can provide their own unique flair:
Tajin Seasoning
The popular Mexican chili-lime spice blend Tajin adds zesty chili flavor with tangy lime notes. Use the clasico or fruit-flavored varieties.
Sugar
For a sweet contrast, coat the rim in sugar instead of salt. Superfine sugar adheres best.
Chili Powder
Rims crusted in smoky, spicy chili powder please those who like it hot.
Dried Herbs
Finely chopped rosemary, thyme or oregano lend their herbal essence.
Citrus Zests
Try a rim of minced lemon, lime or orange zest for citrusy margaritas.
Crushed Peppercorn
Whole black or rainbow peppercorns crushed onto the rim provide a spicy kick.
So don’t limit yourself to just salt on your margaritas. Get creative with these alternatives for exciting new flavors.
Conclusion
While the options may seem endless, choosing the right salt for your margarita rim is easy when you know what to look for. Seek out salts with bright clean flavor, a medium crystal size, and the ability to properly adhere to the glass rim. Premium sea salts and specialty blends deliver the most flavor and texture. Consider cost when buying different salts. customs blends give you full control over the taste. And don’t forget to thoroughly dry glasses before salting for best results. With the perfect salty-sweet rim, you’ll have a margarita that looks and tastes incredible.
| Salt Type | Texture | Flavor Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleur de sel | Soft, flaky | Briny, mineral | $$$ |
| Hawaiian sea salt | Crispy crunch | Bright, salty | $$ |
| Himalayan pink salt | Soft, melts on tongue | Mineral, subtle | $$ |
| Smoked sea salt | Crunchy | Smoky, rich | $$$ |