Pickle juice, hot honey and Yorkshire rhubarb aren’t the first ingredients that come to mind when you think of a classic Margarita. But for Margarita Month (yes, this February!), Wahaca is deliberately steering away from the plain Janes of the cocktail world – introducing two limited-edition cocktails that take the familiar tequila-lime recipe in two very different directions.
Running nationwide until the 24th of March, the celebration sees the much-loved Mexican restaurant chain add two new serves to its drinks list. One is a savoury pairing of umami and heat, the other a clash of sweet and sour (we’re talking rhubarb, indeed).
Here’s all about these new cocktails, plus how Wahaca is celebrating Margarita Month this year:
Hot Honey & Pickle Margarita
The Hot Honey & Pickle Margarita (£10.95) is the more daring of the duo. A savoury-sweet combination that sounds unusual on paper but is surprisingly balanced, it blends Dr Sting’s hot honey (created by best-selling food writer Ben Lippett)with pickle juice, Gran Centenario tequila, jalapeño and fresh lime.
Served on the rocks and finished with a Tajín-spiced rim and a gherkin garnish, it delivers a beautifully layered profile: smoky warmth from the tequila, a slow-building, pleasant heat from the honey and jalapeño, and a sharp, briny edge from the pickle juice. It’s not for the timid palate. But if you’ve worked your way through enough classic Margaritas, this is the moment to graduate to something with a bit more attitude and depth.
The Rhubarbarita
If you’d rather skip the heat and go for something a little more fruit-led, you can try the Rhubarbarita (£9.95) instead, which launched earlier this year. With rhubarb season in full swing, freshly juiced Yorkshire rhubarb is shaken with Gran Centenario tequila to create a cocktail that balances tartness with a gentle sweetness. The finishing touch – a rim dusted in crushed Rhubarb & Custard sweets – adds just the hint of texture and sweetness you need to soften the sharpness of the fruit. Still very much a Margarita but brighter and sharper than the classic.
Roll a Lime
Alongside the limited-edition drinks, Wahaca is also introducing an in-restaurant game throughout the month titled ‘Roll A Lime’. Guests can ask their server to “roll a lime” (green dice, not an actual lime) and if the dice lands on the lime symbol, the entire table wins a complimentary round of Margaritas. You can choose from classic, picante or non-alcoholic options – for up to six adult guests per table. Low effort and high reward – hard to say no to that.
Commenting on Margarita Month, Wahaca co-founder Mark Selby says:
“Margaritas are one of the most marvellously Mexican drinks there are – vibrant, sociable and endlessly adaptable. Our classic Margaritas remain at the heart of our drinks menu but Margarita Month gives us the chance to have some fun with flavour, champion quality ingredients and celebrate a cocktail that’s always at the focal point of good times around the table.”
The classic Margarita isn’t going anywhere – it’s the matriarch, after all. But you can now find its two eccentric relatives across Wahaca nationwide until the 24th of March. Walk-ins available depending on location, but we recommend booking in advance (especially for weekends). Book a table here.
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