If you ever order a margarita in a bar or restaurant, chances are youre going to be asked two questions: frozen or on the rocks? Salt or no salt? While were not going to get into the whole debate about whether frozen margaritas are authentic or not (and staying far away from the whole issue of flavored margaritas), you should, unless youre on a strict low-sodium diet, always say yes when asked if you want a margarita with a salted rim.
Why should you do this? Because the salt is actually a fundamental, flavor-boosting part of this classic drink.
It adds a unique taste and rounds out the drinking experience on one’s palate. The salinity brightens the sweet and sour notes, making the drink enjoyable and balanced. But make sure to use it sparingly (as you would any seasonings) so that your drink isn’t overly salty.
What salt does for a margarita
While the origin story of the margarita cocktail is a bit unclear, its original ingredients have remained pretty consistent — tequila, orange liqueur, citrus juice (lemon or lime) and a salted rim (via Thrillist). Yes, the salted rim was part of the very first margarita recipes, and for a good reason — the sodium ion in the salt molecule has the effect of dampening bitter tastes. What this means for your margarita is that a salted rim helps to counteract any bitterness from the orange liqueur or the tequila, which, in turn, enhances both the drinks sweet and sour notes.
Whats more, the taste of salt somehow enhances our sense of smell, which makes the cocktail seem to have a more powerful taste. Salt also increases the flow of saliva, making the margarita quite literally mouthwatering. Mental Floss explains that salt even has the ability to soften the tequilas sometimes harsh bite — which means, if youre ordering a margarita made with bottom shelf tequila, you definitely shouldnt skip the salt.
How to salt your margarita rim
Although you can purchase fancy glass-rimming kits, The Cookful assures us that these really arent necessary. In order to salt a margarita rim properly, all youre really going to need is a dish, some salt, a lime, and a knife. Oh, and a glass, of course. A margarita glass if youve got one, or any cocktail glass or even a wine glass will do in a pinch.
Next, cut your lime into quarters, then take one of the quarters and cut a notch in the middle. Place the notched lime on the rim of the glass, and run it all the way around, making that rim nice and juicy. Then, pour some salt into the dish (which should have a larger diameter than the glass), and dip the glass into the salt. Twist it around until theres salt sticking to all of the lime juice, all around the rim of the glass.
If you prefer not to have any salt on the inside of your glass rim, you can use the above method, but make sure to dip your glass into the salt at an angle and roll it around so that only the outside rim touches the salt. And should you be making margaritas for a crowd, perhaps pre-salting the rims of a large number of glasses preparatory to pouring margaritas from a pitcher — well, in that case, you can skip the lime wedges and just juice a couple of limes to use for rim-dipping.
The Real Reason Why A Margarita Has A Salted Rim
FAQ
What is the point of a salt rim?
What is the salt on margaritas for?
Are you supposed to lick the salt rim of a margarita?
Can you have a margarita without salt?
How do you salt a Margarita rim?
In order to salt a margarita rim properly, all you’re really going to need is a dish, some salt, a lime, and a knife. Oh, and a glass, of course. A margarita glass if you’ve got one, or any cocktail glass or even a wine glass will do in a pinch. Next, cut your lime into quarters, then take one of the quarters and cut a notch in the middle.
What is a Margarita salt rim?
The margarita salt rim is an essential component to the classic margarita cocktail. It adds a unique flavor and texture to the drink, creating an enjoyable experience for all who partake. The traditional way to rim a margarita glass is to wet the rim of the glass with lime juice and then dip it into a plate of margarita salt.
Why do people put salt on Margarita rims?
People put salt on margarita rims for a few reasons. First, the salt enhances the flavor of the drink. The slight bit of saltiness helps to balance out and bring out the sweetness of the tequila and other flavors in the margarita. Second, it looks great! A rimmed glass with a bit of salt gies your cocktail an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
What is the best salt to rim a Margarita?
Because of its coarse texture and excellent ability to stick to things, the best salt to use to rim a margarita is good ol’ dependable kosher salt. Grab the smallest bowl you have that the top of your glass can fit into, then pour in a tablespoon or so of salt—no need to measure.