Tommy's Margarita
Tequila, lime, and agave nectar—a clean, modern take on the Margarita without orange liqueur.
27%
ABV
168
Calories
Rocks
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
Optional: salt half the rim
Garnish with lime wheel
Glassware
Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Fresh lime wheel
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use 100% agave tequila—the drink is built to showcase it
Adjust sweetness based on your agave and lime quality
Skip the salt rim to let the agave shine
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Tommy's Margarita.
Mezcal Tommy's
A modern classic that elevates its parent cocktail, the Tommy's Margarita, into a more complex and contemplative experience by substituting mezcal for tequila.
Spicy Tommy's
The Tommy's Margarita with a kick—blanco tequila, fresh lime, agave nectar, and muddled jalapeño for clean heat.
Pineapple Tommy's
A tropical Tommy’s riff—blanco tequila with fresh pineapple and lime, lightly sweetened with agave for sunny, fruit‑forward balance.
Other Variations
3:2:1 Ratio
Adjusts to 3 parts tequila, 2 parts lime, 1 part agave for more tartness.
Changes
Añejo Tommy's
Swaps in aged tequila for vanilla and oak tones.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Julio Bermejo developed this stripped-down Margarita at his family's San Francisco restaurant, Tommy's, in the late 1980s. By replacing orange liqueur with agave syrup and insisting on fresh lime and 100% agave tequila, Bermejo shifted attention to the spirit's purity and helped spark a global tequila renaissance. The drink became a bartender's handshake and was eventually recognized by the IBA as a modern classic.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Pineapple Tommy's
A tropical Tommy’s riff—blanco tequila with fresh pineapple and lime, lightly sweetened with agave for sunny, fruit‑forward balance.
Spicy Tommy's
The Tommy's Margarita with a kick—blanco tequila, fresh lime, agave nectar, and muddled jalapeño for clean heat.
Spicy Cucumber Cooler
A modern classic embodying the garden-to-glass movement, featuring the dynamic interplay between cooling cucumber and piquant jalapeño heat in a refreshingly complex tequila cocktail.