Decades before Jimmy Buffett marketed beach-bum chic via
"Margaritaville" and endless tie-ins, there was ... the Margarita. After
Buffett's Jones Beach concert, or any night, Margaritas, with or without salt, are crowd-pleasers.
This versatile, summery tequila cocktail has numerous backstories, none certain.
The generally accepted ones have a Mexican restaurateur concocting the drink to satisfy a customer allergic to spirits other than tequila; or a bartender trying to re-create by memory a forgotten cocktail. Another has a Texas socialite mixing whatever bar ingredients she had.
And then there's the one about a guy smitten with Rita Hayworth, who was born Margarita Cansino.
Either way, it's one of the country's most popular cocktails, if not numero uno. Indeed, the first frozen Margarita machine is in the Smithsonian. Pick your version: straight up, on the rocks, frozen, fruity. Try one at these local spots - not while "nibblin' on spongecake."
Besito (2 locations)
402 New York Ave.
Huntington
631-549-0100
1516 Old Northern Blvd.
Roslyn
516-484-3001
The two branches of Besito prepare at least six types of Margaritas, with your preferred tequila. Have one while your waiter pounds away at custom-made guacamole. They range from $8 to $11.
Don Juan (2 locations)
535 Old Country Rd.
Westbury
516-333-1020
4899 Merrick Rd.
Massapequa Park
516-798-1172
