Margarita Origins, Tequila vs. Mezcal, and a Chilli-Ginger Syrup Twist

Kev recounts discovering a chilli and ginger margarita about eight years ago in a Worcester, UK restaurant whose manager later emailed cocktail recipes, and uses it to introduce this week’s drink: the margarita. They trace its roots to Northern Mexico around US Prohibition and explain the “daisy cocktail” template of spirit, citrus, and sweetener, noting margarita means daisy in Spanish. The episode compares tequila (steamed blue agave from regulated Mexican regions) with mezcal (any Mexican agave, often roasted underground for smokiness) and suggests splitting tequila with mezcal for a smoky margarita. They cover limes and Triple Sec, then give a classic ratio (2 tequila : 1 lime : 1 Triple Sec) and instructions to shake on ice and strain. Finally, they show how to make chilli-ginger syrup (sugar, water, ginger, chilli flakes) and suggest a chilli-salt rim, teasing next week’s trip to Italy for a “Negroni” origin story.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:28 Margarita Origin Story

01:15 Tequila vs Mezcal

02:02 Lime and Triple Sec

02:58 How to Mix It

03:21 Chilli Ginger Syrup

04:30 Chilli Salt Rim

04:45 Serve and Next Week

Kocktail Kev Music is called Velvet shadows full version by Kaazoom on Pixabay

The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’

Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay