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Best Places For Tequila In Orange County

margarita 610 header
(credit: istockphoto)

You either love it or hate it. There is rarely and in between with tequila. If you love it though, celebrate National Tequila Day! From Margaritas to other mixed concoctions and tequila shots, Orange County offers a myriad of great spots for this Mexican libation.

el matador
(credit: Lauren B./Yelp)

El Matador
1768 Newport Blvd
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 645-0324
www.elmatadorcostamesa.com

Featuring a happy hour and taco Tuesday, you know El Matador must be the real deal. This Costa Mesa Mexican restaurant offers a huge list of tequilas to choose from including ones that are Reposado, Anejo and Blanco. With a delicious menu featuring top authentic Mexican food such as quesidillas, enchiladas, sopes, tostadas and more, you can be sure that you'll be able to wash down your favorite food with any type of tequila under the moon. Try out a specialty margarita or a shot of your favorite tequila!

agave kitchen bar margarita
(credit: Catherine N./Yelp)

Agaves Kitchen and Tequila
200 Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-7700
www.agavesbar.com

Although Agaves Kitchen and Tequila is technically in LA County, its a close enough drive to areas of Orange County, and their selection of tequila, margaritas and delicious food was just too good to pass up on our best of list. Chef Abel Hernandez creates a modern Mexican menu here with tasty food where guests enjoy the authenticity of his cuisine along with over 120 fine tequilas and agave spirits to choose from. They even have their own house made infused tequila. With an impressive collection of tequilas, the restaurant/bar features a bottle display that will really add to your night. Try out one of their spicy mango margaritas, which is one of their favorites, or let the bartender you want a cadillac margarita with your favorite tequila. Whatever you want, you can be certain Agaves Kitchen and Tequila will fulfill your tequila needs.

SOL Cocina
(credit: Jeanine K./Yelp)

SOL Cocina
251 E Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 675-9800
www.solcocina.com

SOL Cocina Mexican Restaurant in Newport Beach is not your normal or ordinary Mexican cuisine. With traditional Baja cuisine created with a modern interpretation, the food is absolutely delectable and tasty. Along with your food, make sure to take our tip and order up a large selection of tequila inspired cocktails including margaritas like their Cadillac Margarita with SOL's house made sour mix with Partida Balnco, orange juice and Grand Marnier, the Grande Clase Azul Margarita, which is SOL's ultimate margarita, shaken tableside. Made with Clase Azul reposado with fresh lime juice, agave nectar and Cointreau, it's a must to order. They also offer fruitier margaritas like the Watermelon Margarita, made with muddled fresh watermelon, Corralejo Blanco and fresh lime juice. Or, try the Mango con Chile Frozen Margarita which is prepared with mango puree, in a chile-salted glass, and garnished with a dried mango chile slice. The possibilities are literally endless here.

Red O
(credit: Veronica C./Yelp)

Red O
143 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 718-0300
www.redorestaurant.com

With its counterpart in Los Angeles, Red O, by master chef Rick Bayless offers authentic Mexican food with a huge selection of fine tequilas to drink straight up or mixed in deliciously created cocktails. Favorite margaritas here include the Red O Margarita with Cabo​ Wabo Blanco Tequila, Jdk & Sons O3 Orange Liqueur, house-made limonada and is served over ice with salt rim, as well as their Old Fashioned margarita, with Casa​ Noble Reposado Tequila, Clement Creole Shrubb, raw sugar, bitters and is served over ice. You'll be surprised by the vast amount of other options too, so if those don't meet your tequila requirements, know there are plenty of other variations to choose from!

carmelita's margarita tequila
(credit: Allison L./Yelp)

Carmelita's
31441 Santa Margarita Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688
(949) 709-7600
www.carmelitaskitchen.com

With it's main location in Rancho Santa Margarita, Carmelita's is one of Orange County's best Mexican restaurants serving tequila-infused cocktails. Try out one of their grilled pineapple margaritas (a local fave) which is freshly muddled with agave, jalapeños and lime, or a strawberry jalapeño margarita which is delicious. Other cocktails include their Cilantro Cucumber margarita, as well as the fresh grapefruit, and Resposado margarita.

What are your favorite places for tequila in OC? Share in the comments below!
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