Who makes the best margaritas in Southeast Texas?

Bartender Jessica Graham at Starvin Marvin's on 11th Street makes a Marvarita, which is a margarita made with St. Germain Liqueur and Patron Silver Tequila on April 24, 2012. She starts by capping the glass with a layer of salt. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise less Bartender Jessica Graham at Starvin Marvin's on 11th Street makes a Marvarita, which is a margarita made with St. Germain Liqueur and Patron Silver Tequila on April 24, 2012. She starts by capping the glass ... more Photo: Dave Ryan Photo: Dave Ryan Image 1 of / 58 Caption Close Who makes the best margaritas in Southeast Texas? 1 / 58 Back to Gallery

If Southeast Texas had its own drink, there's no question about what it would be: the margarita.

The sheer scope of our local Tex-Mex food offerings alone is enough to make margaritas an oft-consumed libation, but when you factor in our patio-perfect weather and ample sunshine, it's no surprise that in this town, the margarita is king.

And you've got quite the royal family to choose from. Your options go far beyond frozen or rocks, salt or no salt, top shelf or house. From frozen margs swirled with sangria to the elderflower liquor-infused Marv-arita to amaretto-fueled Italian versions, you can drink a couple local margs a day and still taste only the tip of the iceberg. Trust me on that one.

How can you know your 'rita is worth its weight in rim salt? Well, let's break it down a little.

At its most basic level, a margarita is just three ingredients: tequila, triple sec (a clear, orange-flavored liqueur) and lime juice. Most 'ritas in town, mind you, are doctored up with additional ingredients like sugar, fruit-flavored liqueurs or sour mix, but those three are key.

The most important ingredient, naturally, is the tequila - it needs to be 100 percent agave and nothing less will do. And since margaritas are meant to be a refreshing cocktail, we tend to favor lighter tequilas.

As for the triple sec, there are a lot of options and they're all quite sweet. We prefer not to skimp in this department, lest our 'rita ends up tasting like sugary, over-processed junk food - and for Pete's sake, skip that disgusting blue stuff. We prefer higher-end triple secs like Cointreau or Grand Marnier, so look for those name-drops when you're scanning the margarita menu.

And when it comes to the lime juice, fresh-squeezed is ideal but not often available, especially with most local bars and restaurants offering their own twist on this popular cocktail.

So how to choose the 'rita for you when you're swimming in options? Above all else, it depends on your budget, but once you're familiar with the ingredients, it'll be easier to choose a margarita that's just the right balance of sweet and tart for your tastes.

Or you can take advice from my friend Larry, who sums up my margarita philosophy quite succinctly:

"Get top shelf on the rocks," he said. "It's an adult beverage, not a Slushie."

With that said, I did some taste-testing and found a few of my favorite margaritas in town, each offering its own twist. I wish I could say I made these selections after tasting every margarita in Southeast Texas, but frankly, I'd have met my maker if I tried.

'Rita responsibly, guys.

Cafe Del Rio's 3-G Margarita

Where: 2830 I-10 E., Beaumont

We surely can't turn down anything called "The Cognac of margaritas," and so whenever we hit up Cafe Del Rio for some live music on their patio, we grab a 3-G Margarita, made with Tres Generaciones Ultra Premium Tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice and a touch of sugar.

That's not their only specialty 'rita - try the Midori 'Rita, the Platinum (made with Patron, naturally) or the Georgia Peach Margarita, made with peach schnapps, triple sec and tequila.

La Cantina's Gringo Rita

Where: 2050 I-10 S. and 4555 Dowlen Road, Beaumont; 7960 Memorial Blvd., Port Arthur

When it comes to margaritas, La Cantina is not messing around - the entire back page of this Tex-Mex eatery's menu is devoted to margaritas like the Cadillac (made with 1800 Tequila and Midori melon liqueur), the Italian 'Rita (a frozen margarita swirled with amaretto liqueur) or fruit-flavored 'ritas ranging from peach to mango to pineapple or banana.

But the margarita I fell in love with is one of the best I've had in this town: The deliciously citrusy and fresh-tasting $10 Gringo 'Rita, made with Don Julio 1942 tequila. This further proves my assertion that when it comes to margaritas, it's all about that tequila, baby.

If you're going to grab a margarita from this eatery, we suggest doing it on a Thursday, when Margarita Madness takes over and you can grab a 'rita on the cheap.

Luke's Rita

Where: 2325 Calder Ave., Beaumont

Served in a tumbler with optional salt-on-rim, this light, low-key 'rita with an almost lemonade flair to it is completely refreshing and perfect for sipping on Luke's patio, which is fast becoming one of the most popular outdoor spots in town.

Pop over to Luke's on Cinco de Mayo for one of their $5 specials: Corona-ritas, Luke's 'Ritas, Mexican beer with a shot of tequila and taco baskets.

Starvin Marvin's Marv-arita

Where: 2310 N. 11th St., Beaumont

Coming to you in a big ol' frosty mug, this crisp, tangy beast is a 'rita with a twist - it's made with Patron, Patron Citron and St. Germain, a liqueur made with fresh wild elderflower picked in the foothills of the Alps.

This was one of our favorite margaritas, particularly when sipped on the breezy patio while enjoying a little swamp pop and their Wednesday night margarita special, which gets you $2 off each frosty mug of tastiness.

Goodfella's Italian 'Rita

Where: 3350 Dowlen Road, Beaumont

This isn't exactly a margarita kind of place, but if you're having a fancy night with a fancy date and find yourself in need, I dig their Italian 'Rita because it's made with Patron, amaretto and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Top that off with a sugar-coated rim and you've got yourself just the drink for Goodfella's patio.

El Potrillo's Coconut Margarita

Where: 5920 U.S. 69, Beaumont

El Potrillo offers the mother of all local 'rita specials: $1.99 margs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and each week, they choose a margarita that's on special for $2.99. In fact, this place - and its sister restaurant, 10 de Mayo on College - has so many margarita specials that I can't even keep them all straight for you.

The day I went, the frozen coconut 'rita was on special, and while I'm not usually big on frozen margs, this one was like a beach in a glass - refreshing and fruity. They offer just about every flavor of margarita you can imagine, and with some of the cheapest margs in town, it's no surprise that readers consistently cite this eatery as a margarita-drinker's must.

beth@thecat5.com @BeaumontBeth on Facebook, Twitter & FoursquareRecommended margarita-ing

We asked our fans on Facebook to tell us about their favorite margaritas in town. Here's what you had to say - and by the way, if you haven't liked us on Facebook yet, do that at Facebook.com/TheCatFive. Cheers!

Lauren M.: "Cafe Del Rio! 3G Rita goes hard"

Kemi L.: "Guadalajara top shelf rita!"

Laura J.: "Fuzzy's. The Blue Moon Beerita."

Kathy C.: "Ten de mayo, get it with grand marnier"

Mike M.: "the bartenders at Thirsty's know how to get down with margaritas for sure!"

Frankie R.: "Madison's also does a REAL margarita for $2 on Wednesday night during BINGO!"

Calyn M.: "The skinny margaritas at Pappadeauxs are lovely too, & they will only cost you half your retirement & your first born child."

Josh L.: "Mine is the Iguana Margarita at La Cantina"

Lindsay S.: "I do enjoy the frozen ritas at La Cantina with the tiny Corona nestled down into it. Cuts the sweet, and creates a slushy goodness."

Joshua M.: "Saltgrass has awesome strawberry twist ritas that r awesome and during happy hour they r only $3"

Sarah V.: "The italian rita at la cantina."

Erica A.: "Cafe del rio. Del rio swirl yummy."