The Importance Of Cheap Tequila In Ina Garten's Margarita

If Ina Garten, celebrity chef and host of Food Network's "Barefoot Contessa," can't whip up a perfect margarita, no one else can. While Garten has openly declared her love for whiskey sours in numerous interviews, you wouldn't have known it if you were to taste the margarita she's able to whip up. Despite notably lacking any common sweetener like agave juice, Garten's tailored frozen margarita recipe is incredibly tasty.

She revealed all the juicy secrets to a good margarita in an episode of "The Barefoot Contessa," like how using a blend of lime and lemon juice can greatly improve the final flavor of the drink by improving the depth of flavor. But the grandest revelation was about the alcohol base itself: Rather than pricey high-end tequilas, Garten mentioned that you'd have a much better glass if you were to blend your frozen margarita alongside the cheap stuff.

"The curious thing about margaritas, I found, is that they don't come out very good if you use really good tequila," she explained. "You know, that dark golden tequila? You have to use inexpensive tequila — and then they come out great." So what is it about cheaper tequila that makes Garten's margaritas so special?

The price tag of a bottle of tequila often reflects the aging process it goes through. These high-end types of tequilas, known as añejo or reposado (depending on how long they're aged,) are aged in oak barrels. Over the course of years, they develop rich, amber colors and very complex flavors courtesy of the barrels. These characteristics make them perfect for sipping neat or crafting certain cocktails like a Tequila Manhattan. But for margaritas, the nuanced flavors of aged tequilas can clash with the drink's signature bright, citrusy notes and muddle the drink.

This is where cheaper, unaged tequilas shine. Often labeled as "Blanco" or "silver," these tequilas boast a straightforward agave flavor that perfectly complements the lime and lemon in a margarita. The result? It's a clean, refreshing cocktail that allows the fruity flavors to take center stage. Plus, by opting for a more affordable tequila, you can splurge on high-quality fresh citrus and top-notch Triple Sec — things that'll actually make your margarita tastier! If you want an extra Garten-esque twist, though, look into infusing some jalapeño pepper, too!