Serrano Margarita at the Inn at Loretto, Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm very particular about my cocktails. While I'll try anything once, I have two go-to drinks: dirty vodka martinis and margaritas. A good margarita to me means fresh lime juice, a minimal amount of added sugar, and a smooth tequila. In Chicago, I like the Hilbilly Margarita at Grange Hall Burger Bar, which is freshened with cucumber and ginger. In New York, though not exactly my kind of restaurant scene, I love the Cleaver Margarita at Pounds and Ounces where roasted lime adds a smoky note. As good as they are, they don't hold a candle to my favorite tequila concoction, the Serrano Margarita at the Inn and Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, NM. Bright and tart, and just strong enough to cap my order at one, it has a slight hint of spice that kicks in at the finish. Candlelight, the scent from the outdoor wood burning fireplace, and the sounds of a classical guitarist rounded out the margarita experience on the patio.