The classic margarita at Chili’s is one of their signature drinks and a customer favorite. It’s made with premium ingredients like 100% blue agave tequila, triple sec liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice. This margarita is served on the rocks in a traditional margarita glass rimmed with kosher salt for a perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors.
Description of the Classic Margarita at Chili’s
The classic Chili’s margarita starts with a generous pour of el Jimador Blanco Tequila, which is distilled from 100% blue agave in the Jalisco region of Mexico. This provides the base spirit for the cocktail. Next, bartenders add a dash of triple sec liqueur, an orange-flavored spirit made from dried orange peels. Triple sec adds hints of sweetness and fruitiness to balance out the tartness of the lime juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice makes up the third component, providing bright, citrusy notes and acidity. The lime juice is sourced directly from fresh limes daily, never from concentrate. Chili’s does not add any artificial mixes or sour mixes to their classic margarita recipe. It contains just these core ingredients – tequila, triple sec, and lime juice – for a simple and authentic flavor.
Chili’s bartenders combine these ingredients together with ice in a shaker tin. After shaking vigorously, the margarita is strained over fresh ice into a classic margarita glass. The margarita glass has an iconic wide, shallow bowl perfect for enjoying this chilled and refreshing cocktail. The final touch is a salted rim. Chili’s uses kosher salt for a pure salt flavor. The salt balances out the sweet and sour notes of the drink. Overall, the classic Chili’s margarita is tart, lightly sweet, and richly flavored thanks to quality ingredients and a timeless recipe.
History of the Margarita at Chili’s
The origins of Chili’s restaurant date back to 1975 when founder Larry Lavine opened the first location in Dallas, Texas. However, the margarita wasn’t added to the Chili’s menu until the 1980s after the brand was acquired by restaurant entrepreneur Norman Brinker. As Chili’s expanded nationwide throughout the 80s and 90s, the margarita quickly became Chili’s signature cocktail. Much of the restaurant’s casual and lively ambiance is built around enjoying these margaritas with Tex-Mex inspired food.
Over the years, Chili’s has experimented with different varieties of margaritas using flavors like mango, strawberry, and skinny versions made with agave nectar. But the classic margarita has stood the test of time. The balance of quality tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and salt continue to keep customers coming back. Chili’s commitment to using fresh ingredients and hand-squeezed lime juice also contributes to the enduring popularity of the classic margarita. It remains a go-to choice for customers looking for a dependable and delicious margarita.
Margarita Happy Hour at Chili’s
One of the best times to enjoy a Chili’s classic margarita is during their daily happy hour from 3pm to 7pm. During happy hour, all Chili’s margaritas are available at a special discounted price. The classic margarita is offered for just $3, making it an affordable option for kicking off the evening with a refreshing cocktail.
Chili’s also offers other bargains during happy hour that pair nicely with margaritas. Guests can choose from a selection of half-price appetizers and entrees to complement their drink. There are also food and drink bundle deals, like getting 10 boneless wings and a margarita for $10. With these happy hour specials, Chili’s creates an inviting atmosphere to unwind after work and get your weekend started.
Nutrition Information on Chili’s Classic Margarita
For those wanting to keep track of nutrition and calories while enjoying their margarita, Chili’s provides counts for their classic recipe:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
As you would expect from a cocktail, the classic Chili’s margarita is higher in calories and carbs compared to other non-alcoholic beverages. There are approximately 260 calories in one Chili’s margarita. The calories come from 0g of sugar and 17g of carbohydrates. Sugar content is low since this margarita does not contain any added syrups or sweeteners beyond the orange liqueur. The carbohydrates can primarily be attributed to the lime juice in the cocktail. Despite the higher calorie and carb count, this margarita provides a refreshing, flavorful beverage with minimal added sugars.
Non-Alcoholic Versions of Chili’s Margarita
For guests looking for an alcohol-free margarita, Chili’s offers tasty options:
Strawberry Margarita Mixer
This non-alcoholic beverage features all the flavors of a strawberry margarita minus the tequila. Sweet strawberry puree is blended with lime juice and Chili’s homemade margarita mix. It’s finished off with a sugar rim for extra sweetness. The bright strawberry balances the tart lime for a refreshing mocktail.
Mango Margarita Mixer
Mango flavored margarita mix, lime juice, and mango puree are combined for this tropical treat. Like the strawberry mixer, it contains no alcohol but still mimics the classic margarita flavor profile. The mango adds natural sweetness to counter the tart lime.
Lime Margarita Mixer
For those wanting a simple lime mocktail, Chili’s lime margarita mixer includes their house margarita ingredients minus the tequila. The tangy lime still shines through in this virgin version.
All the margarita mixers can be enjoyed on the rocks or blended as a frozen mocktail. Chili’s uses quality fruit purees rather than artificially flavored mixes in their non-alcoholic margaritas to provide better flavor. The mixers give guests a chance to enjoy Chili’s signature margarita flavors in an alcohol-free format.
Tips for Modifying the Classic Margarita
One benefit of the classic Chili’s margarita is how easy it is to customize:
Add Flavor
For fruit flavored margaritas, add 1 oz of puree to the shaker along with the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Chili’s offers purees like strawberry, mango, peach, or raspberry to change up the flavors.
Change Tequila Type
The standard Chili’s margarita uses a blanco tequila, which has little to no aging for a light and crisp flavor. For a bolder taste, ask the bartender to substitute in a reposado or añejo tequila, which are aged longer in oak barrels.
Make it Top Shelf
To upgrade to a premium “top shelf” margarita, request a higher end 100% agave tequila like Patrón or Don Julio to use in the cocktail.
Spicy Version
Add a dash of chili-infused orange liqueur or a jalapeño slice for a spicy, chili-inspired margarita.
Skinny Margarita
Order a skinny version made with agave nectar instead of triple sec to reduce the sugar content.
The bartenders at Chili’s are always happy to customize the classic margarita to your tastes. Their flexible recipe and high quality ingredients make it easy to tweak and experiment until you find your perfect combination.
Chili’s Take-Home Margarita Mix
As of summer 2020, Chili’s offers bottles of their proprietary margarita mix for take-home enjoyment. The pre-bottled mixes allow you to recreate Chili’s classic margaritas at home. They come in a few flavor varieties:
| Flavor | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Lime | Chili’s original house margarita mix |
| Strawberry | Classic mix with added strawberry flavor |
| Mango | Classic mix with added mango flavor |
| Skinny | Lower calorie mix with agave nectar |
To make margaritas using the bottled mixes, simply combine with tequila and pour over ice. Garnish with lime wedges or fruit puree depending on the flavor. The take-home margarita mixes allow you to enjoy the taste of Chili’s margaritas from home. They provide an easy shortcut to making margaritas without needing all the fresh ingredients on hand.
Tips for the Best Chili’s Classic Margarita
Here are some tips to get the most enjoyment out of your Chili’s classic margarita experience:
- Add salt – Be sure to salt the rim to balance the sweet and sour flavors
- Chilled glass – Drinking from a chilled glass prevents dilution as the ice melts
- Fresh squeezed juice – Insist on fresh squeezed lime juice for optimal flavor
- Happy hour – Take advantage of happy hour $3 pricing
- Food pairing – Complement your margarita with Chili’s great appetizers
- Customize it – Make it your own with different tequila or fruit flavors
- Pace yourself – Sip slowly and be sure to drink responsibly
Conclusion
The classic margarita at Chili’s offers the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and salty flavors thanks to its fresh ingredients like lime juice, triple sec, and tequila. Its refreshing and chilly temperature along with kosher salt on the rim create an iconic margarita experience. Chili’s margaritas are made for sharing and socializing, especially during lively happy hours. While the classic margarita remains a crowd-pleaser, Chili’s also elevates the experience by offering fun customizations and take-home mixes. Whatever your preferences, Chili’s margaritas are an integral part of the restaurant’s welcoming Tex-Mex ambiance and continue to be a longstanding customer favorite.