The Perfect Margarita
Lime, tequila, and agave. The search for perfection in Los Cabos.
The perfect margarita is simple: fresh lime juice, quality tequila, and agave nectar. No frozen slushies, no sugary mixes, no neon colors. Just three ingredients, perfectly balanced, served on the rocks with a proper salt rim.
Sure, there are places in Cabo that make big party margaritas. But we've always been on the search for the perfect margarita — the kind that respects the craft, uses premium ingredients, and lets the tequila shine. Each spot is rated on a 0-10 scale for quality, but remember: some margaritas score high for what they represent, not just how they taste.
The Office on the Beach
Cabo Esteban's Favorite Margarita Spot
Right on Medano Beach, The Office has been pouring legendary margaritas since 1977. Their classic margarita is textbook perfect — fresh-squeezed lime juice, quality blanco tequila, and just enough agave to balance the tartness. No shortcuts, no mixes, just the real deal. The beachfront setting with your toes in the sand makes it even better.
The Perfect Order: Classic Margarita on the rocks, salt rim, with their house blanco
Vibe: Casual beachfront, perfect for day drinking
Price Range: $8-12 per margarita
"I've tried margaritas all over Cabo, and The Office still makes my favorite. They don't try to reinvent the wheel — just fresh lime, good tequila, and agave. That's it. That's the perfect margarita. Go during happy hour for the best deal." — Cabo Esteban
Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Bar
The bar at Waldorf Astoria Pedregal serves one of the most refined margaritas in Cabo. They use ultra-premium tequilas, hand-squeezed lime juice, and organic agave nectar. The attention to detail is impeccable — from the perfectly chilled glass to the precise 2:1:1 ratio. The dramatic cliffside setting carved into the rocks adds to the experience, but the margarita stands on its own merit.
The Perfect Order: Classic Margarita with Casa Dragones Blanco or Don Julio 1942
Vibe: Ultra-luxury, dramatic setting, special occasion
Price Range: $22-35 per margarita (premium tequila)
Edith's
This upscale Cabo institution takes the classic margarita seriously. They use ultra-premium tequilas (think Clase Azul, Don Julio 1942) and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Their tableside margarita service lets you watch them build it from scratch — tequila, lime, agave, ice. Nothing else. It's a masterclass in simplicity done right.
The Perfect Order: Classic Margarita with Clase Azul Reposado
Vibe: Upscale, romantic, special occasion
Price Range: $18-30 per margarita (premium tequila)
Cabo Cantaritos
This is where you find the freshest margarita in Cabo — period. Cabo Cantaritos serves their legendary margaritas in traditional clay cantaritos (mugs) that have been keeping drinks cold for generations. They squeeze fresh limes, grapefruit, and orange right in front of you, add quality tequila and agave, then pour it all into the iconic clay mug. These aren't your dainty cocktail-glass margaritas — these are GIANT, authentic, and bursting with fresh citrus. The clay keeps everything ice cold while adding a subtle earthy flavor that you can't get anywhere else.
The Perfect Order: Traditional Cantarito with fresh citrus blend in the classic clay mug
Vibe: Authentic, local favorite, casual and fun, Instagram-worthy
Price Range: $10-14 per cantarito (generous size)
"You haven't had a real margarita in Cabo until you've had a cantarito. Watching them squeeze all that fresh citrus right into the clay mug — that's the freshest drink you'll find. Plus, these things are huge. One cantarito lasts you all afternoon." — Local Recommendation
Flora Farms
This farm-to-table gem in San José del Cabo respects the classic margarita formula while using the freshest possible ingredients. Their limes are picked at peak ripeness, and they use organic agave nectar. The result is a margarita that tastes clean, bright, and perfectly balanced. The beautiful garden setting is a bonus.
The Perfect Order: Classic Margarita with their house organic agave
Vibe: Rustic-chic, farm setting, Instagram-worthy
Price Range: $12-18 per margarita
The Airport Margarita
Personal Favorite — Not for Quality, for What It Signifies
Let's be honest: the margarita at Cabo airport isn't going to win any awards for quality. It's probably made with a mix, the tequila is mid-tier at best, and the lime juice might be from a bottle. But none of that matters. This is your first vacation margarita. You just landed in paradise, you're still in your travel clothes, and you're about to start your Cabo adventure. That first sip? Pure magic. Quality rating: 7.2. Experience rating: 10/10.
The Order: Whatever they're pouring — you're on vacation now
Vibe: Pure excitement, vacation mode activated
Price Range: $10-14 (airport prices)
"Every Cabo trip starts with an airport margarita. Is it the best margarita in Cabo? Absolutely not. Is it the most important margarita in Cabo? Absolutely yes. It's the taste of vacation beginning." — Cabo Esteban
The Perfect Margarita: What to Look For
- •Fresh lime juice only: If they're using a mix or bottled lime juice, walk away. The perfect margarita starts with fresh-squeezed limes.
- •Quality tequila matters: Blanco (silver) tequila is traditional, but a good reposado works too. Skip the gold/mixto tequilas — they're not 100% agave.
- •Agave nectar, not simple syrup: The sweetener should be agave nectar to complement the tequila. Simple syrup is a shortcut.
- •On the rocks is the way: Frozen margaritas hide the quality of ingredients. On the rocks lets you taste everything.
- •The salt rim test: A proper salt rim should only cover half the glass so you can choose with each sip. Coarse salt, not table salt.