The Best Margaritas in Park Slope

As Labor Day signifies the symbolic end of summer and the beginning of fall, my thirst longs for a libation that represents the transition of the seasons. The margarita, usually the classic companion of ever-sunny Mexican cuisine, this savory sweet concoction is perfect for the beach, a fish taco but surprisingly compliments fiery autumnal foods like three-hour Texas chili.

Thanks to the neighborhood’s heavy Latino population, Park Slope boasts many excellent and authentic Mexican and Latino restaurants and cantinas. If you’re craving a margarita, you can choose from the super cheap spring break-style alcoholic slushy to pricy house-infused tequila craft cocktail. Here’s the picks for best ‘ritas in the Slope. 

At (141 Fifth Avenue) owner George Constantinou has figured out the formula for the best margarita in town. With soccer on TV and glass cases of house infused Los Quistoda on the shelf, you know they’re serious about eating the worm. The banana margarita uses homemade banana infused tequila, banana puree, lime and a splash of Triple Sec. The result is earthy and lovely. 

If your palate appreciates spice, then try the jalapeño infused margarita with guava. Although the guava softens the jalapeño’s kick, it is still not for the light of heart. Constanedo started making the drink four years ago as a special, but soon demand forced him to make it a regular.

“I love spice and I love spicy food, so I thought why not a margarita?” he said. “You get it with salt and fresh pieces of guava. The guava shells muddled in are the key.” 

Constanedo is also strictly anti-sour mix. “It’s so bad for you,” he explained. “It makes a margarita fattening and tastes terrible. But take out the sour mix and use fresh lime juice, now it’s healthier and better tasting.”

Also boasting an impressive selection of house-infused tequilas is the “classy” Tex-Mex establishment, (188 Fifth Avenue). Despite the kitsch décor: mounted bullhorns, antler chandeliers and plush faux cowhide booths, it somehow works with the soothing blonde wooden bar and mood lighting.

There’s also a great bartender, Will Clark, who asked to be described as “really charming and attractive.” He hopes his good looks keep Lobo from feeling too theme park-y. He was also responsible for the music, like The Electric Six.

But the attractive bartender is only a plus, for he knows how to mix drinks. He uses jalapeño infused tequila paired with a pineapple infused tequila for his stellar spicy margarita. (Seriously, jalapeño tequila is the new cupcake of cocktails and it’s fantastic). The popular “sangre de lobo” with cinnamon infused tequila and blood orange puree is reminiscent of spiked eggnog and is best paired with savory food (or a jalapeño margarita). 

On the upscale end is foodie favorite (434 Seventh Avenue). Their delicate hibiscus margarita translates traditional Mexican hibiscus water into a tequila flower. In fact, “margarita” means “daisy.”

If you’re looking for a no frills fix go to (148 Fifth Avenue), where the pulled pork burrito is to die for. There’s a fairly priced standard Sauza Lime Margie on special every night of the week. It is made with a mix, but is well balanced. They’re like Dan Brown novels- well liked by all but no one’s favorite. 

All day Monday margaritas are only $4 each and the rest of the week they are $6 before 7 p.m. The best bet is to get the bottomless drink option with select all-you-can-eat appetizers on Mondays and Wednesdays ($18 from 12 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.). It is truly an economical libation celebration.

If you come with a crowd, Tuesdays offer discounted pitcher night, and on Thursdays you can get two for one (12 to 4 p.m., 6 to 10 p.m.). When you’re in the mood for one of the many flavored fruit options go for the recommend pomegranate on the rocks with a salted rim. It’s sizable and not too sweet. Settle in at the bar under the “Viva La Raza” banner or outside on their patio and listen to live salsa music every weekend, or come in for a sporadic bingo night with tequila shot prizes. Catch the next bingo game this Saturday, September 10th.  

For the best bang for your drunken buck, get sauced at (408 Fifth Avenue). This California-style Mexican restaurant is cheerfully outrageous and you can get a $4 margarita all day, all night, every day. They are available frozen or on the rocks. You should opt for the frozen lime New Orleans style-‘rita straight from the Slurpee machine.

Adding to the Big Easy feel, they come in frosty plastic cups, so you can walk the streets while sipping on some hard alcohol and no one needs to know. Unfortunately, the décor resembles an Ed Hardy T-shirt, but the collection of Classic Rock posters pasted to the walls give the Mexi-Cali restaurant a nostalgic feel.

Jimi Hendrix and Joan Baez concert posters, motorcycle detailed hammerhead sharks, and the STP bumper stickers make for excellent conversation starters or drinking game material. After a couple of green slushies you’ll be singing along to their soundtrack of hilariously random slow jams like Burt Bacharach’s “Too Late Baby” or “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”

And, dear reader, if tequila makes you do crazy things, like want to sing karaoke for neighbors and strangers and lushes alike then (499 Fifth Avenue) is your watering hole. Every Thursday is karaoke night and their Internet jukebox, contains a myriad of songs.

Everyday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. you can get a fresh fruit margarita (guava, mango, strawberry, lime or coconut) for $6 and on September 16th from 7 to 10 p.m. there will be free tequila, karaoke and a mariachi band in honor of Mexican Independence Day.

Manager Lori Birch is also a serious tequila connoisseur, and always has fifteen different types of that good old agave liquor. Birch suggests Casadores, which is less expensive than Patron and even tastier. It’s amazingly smooth and sip-able without salt or lime. It’s naturally salty it’s as easy to drink as a good cognac. With tequila this good, you don’t even need the rest.

“People order Patron because they know the brand,” Birch said. “It’s like wearing [Ralph Lauren] Polo because you know it, but put a unicorn on there and it’s the same damn thing.”