Devil’s Margarita

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Cocktail History

The Devil’s Margarita is a modern cocktail that was created sometime in the 1900s. The lesser known sibling of the New York Sour, the recipe starts with the Margarita template that’s made with tequila, citrus, and simple syrup, but it omits the orange liqueur and adds a fruity red wine float on top.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Tequila Añejo: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with fermented blue agave and yeast, which are distilled and then aged between one to three years to develop a smooth, oaky flavor.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water, which are heated into a syrup with a sweet flavor.

Red Wine: This is a type of wine made with red grapes and yeast, which are fermented with the grape skins to produce alcohol with a rich color and deep flavor.

Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 DeLeón Tequila Añejo
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Classic Pure Cane Gum Syrup
• 🔗 Jacobs Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a shallow, wide bowl that’s used for serving shaken cocktails and sparkling drinks without ice.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Golden bottom with an ombré effect that melds into the red wine float

• Aroma: Red wine and agave

• Taste: A smooth and balanced flavor that marries sweet tequila with dry notes of red wine and tangy citrus

• Finish: Tartness and lasting tannins from the wine

Kendall’s Take
“Red wine and citrus might not seem like the most obvious pairing for tequila like they are for whiskey in the New York Sour template, but this version proves how beautifully they can work together. The wine float in the Devil’s Margarita adds depth and a subtle richness that mingles surprisingly well with the bright lime backbone of the Margarita. It’s bold, dramatic, and a fun twist when you want something just a little different from the classic.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Liquor.com.