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Best Places For Margaritas In Orange County

margarita
(credit: Tarik Kaan Muslu/shutterstock)

Margaritas are some of the most delicious cocktails to order with your Mexican food. With so many versions of it - from spicy to fruity, sweet to strong - there is a margarita for everyone. The best ones are always made with top-notch tequilas and fresh ingredients. These are the best spots across Orange County to drink up some refreshing margaritas.

javier's cantina margarita
(Credit: Donna M./yelp)

Javier's Cantina
Crystal Cove Shopping Center
7832 Pacific Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92657
(949) 494-1239
www.javiers-cantina.com

With two locations in Orange County, including in Newport Beach, and in Irvine, Javier's is a local favorite for margaritas and more. They have a huge selection of fine tequilas at the bar and their margaritas are always flavorful and strong. Bite into tasty Mexican fare like their chicken mole poblano dish, burritos, nachos, tacos and ensaladas while you sip on a delicious Margarita.

coconut margarita el cholo
(credit: Michael H./yelp)

El Cholo
3520 E. Coast Hwy
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
(949) 777-6137
www.elcholo.com

With locations throughout Southern California, including Orange County and Los Angeles, El Cholo has become an institution in the area. Offering delicious and authentic Mexican fare, you can be assured that their margaritas are just as good as their food. In fact, there is a menu dedicated just for margaritas with a variety of options to choose from. From the Gran Tradicional with Cuervo Tradicional, Herradura Silver, and Contreau, to the El Cholo Margarita and the blended and delicious Coconut Margarita, El Cholo is a great place to stop by if you're looking to sip on a few margaritas.

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(credit: Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen)

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen
141 S Glassell St
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 633-3038
www.gabbipatrick.com

Located in Old Towne Orange, Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen is hang out that locals love. Incorporating seasonal produce into the food and drink menus, their most popular drink is the Jalapeno-Pepino Margarita, made with fresh jalapeño, cucumbers, fresh lime, corralejo blanco, agave nectar and Hawaiian red sea salt. Other favorites include their Skinny Organic Margarita with organiz Azunia blanco tequila, agave nectar and lime, as well as Gabbi's House Margarita.

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(Credit: Mora Creative Studio)

Mi Casa
296 E 17th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 645-7626
www.micasa1.com

Mi Casa's hand-crafted specialty margaritas use fresh seasonal fruit, 100 percent organic agave nectar and hand-squeezed lime juice. The house margaritas are made with a "secret margarita mix" consisting of simple, fresh ingredients with one-of-a-kind taste that locals have grown to love since 1972, when the first location opened. Make sure to try their Millionaire Margarita, with Maestro Dobel Diamante, and Grand Marnier house margarita mix. Visit their website for a full menu of their cocktails.

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(credit: Cha Cha Latin Kitchen)

Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen
110 W Birch St
Brea, CA 92820
(714) 255-1040
www.chachaslatinkitchen.com

Serving a classic margarita, Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen's version is delicious and allows you to also put your own stamp on the drink. Made with El Jimador 100% Blue Agave, Cointreau, fresh lime, and agave nectar, it's a refreshing take on the classic. And, you'll also enjoy their Cha Cha's Margarita with Elderflower liqueur, fresh lime and ruby red grapefruit juice! The restaurant, known for their open kitchen, brick wood-burning oven, and spacious patio is on the downtown promenade and offers fun, themed weekday events such as Tacos & Tequila Tuesday's, Enchilada Wednesday's and Tamale Thursday's. What's more is that on National Margarita Day, they often feature specials and discounted rates on their margaritas.

SOL Cocina - Blackberry & Ginger Margarita 5
(Credit: acuna-hansen)

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

SOL Cocina, in Newport Beach, has plenty of margaritas to choose from, while bringing a contemporary approach to traditional Mexican drinks. Using the freshest ingredients and tequilas for their cocktails, make sure to try the Grande Clase Azul Margarita, made with Clase Azul reposado with fresh lime juice, agave nectar and Cointreau, or their Pineapple Serrano Margarita, which is a balance of heat and sweet. Made with Partida Blanco, muddled pineapple, fresh lime juice and serrano chile, it's a must order. The fun doesn't stop there, though. This Newport Beach hangout offers plenty of other margarita options!

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(credit Alan De Herrera)

Matador Cantina
111 N Harbor Blvd
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 871-8226
www.thematador.com

Matador Cantina, located in the heart of Downtown Fullerton, has a full margarita cocktail menu to offer diners. Their signature one, called the Matador Margarita, is made with Arette Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, Gran Torres and house made sweet and house-made sweet & sour. Another crowd favorite is their Skinny Margarita, made with Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, agave nectar, and fresh squeezed lime juice. Matador Cantina features many other house specials though to choose from! Sip on a cocktail today while you dine on their delicious Mexican fare, including burritos, tacos, enchiladas and much more!

el matador
(credit: Lauren B./Yelp)

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

El Matador has consistently received great reviews and accolades for not only its food but of course the margaritas. The bar boasts over 170 different tequilas, so you should have no problem finding your favorite. From Resposado tequilas like El Major, Tres Rios and El Ultimo, to Anejo like 1800 Gran Reserve, and Blanco tequilas, the options are endless here. They offer margarita specials each month as well, including lighter margaritas for those who want to watch their waistlines while they order away.

Marian Bacol-Uba is a Marketing and Social Media consultant and a freelance food and travel writer/blogger.
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