With July in full swing, and with the rising temperatures comes an increase in summer gatherings. If you are planning a menu for a backyard gathering, a margarita is a perfect drink for any party.
Since margaritas are a specialty cocktail, it’s fun to highlight the beverage with a high-quality margarita glass. The Dos Suenos hand-blown margarita glass has great visual appeal, volume and craftsmanship, but there are many glasses that will suit your party’s needs.
What to know before you buy margarita glasses for entertaining
How to make a margarita
Margarita flavors
There is some debate as to the origin of the margarita and how the margarita glass came to be associated with it. Whether the drink was first served in the late 1930s or 1940s in unclear, but the first documented margarita appeared in Esquire Magazine in 1953. An original iteration of the margarita had tequila, Cointreau and lime, while another early example of the margarita was made with tequila mixed with Triple Sec and lemon and served over shaved ice. In the 1970s, frozen margaritas became popular, and they remain a popular drink to this day.
Currently, spicy margaritas are on-trend, and menus around the country include favorites such as spicy strawberry margaritas, spicy blackberry margaritas, spicy mandarin margaritas and pineapple jalapeno margaritas.
Non-alcoholic margaritas
While margaritas generally are served with alcohol, you can make a mocktail version of the beverage, focusing on the lime flavor. It is always smart to include a non-alcoholic option at any gathering.
Foods to serve with a margarita
The margarita is typically seen as a summer drink, and great food pairings for a margarita include anything you would barbecue, like hamburgers, steak and chicken, or meats you would smoke, like ribs or brisket. Mexican food staples, like tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas and burritos, are also a standard choice to pair with the drink.
Margarita glass for entertaining features
Durability
Any glass with a stem is viewed as more fragile by consumers because of the top-heavy design. However, the design of the bowl and stouter stem of a margarita glass makes it quite durable. A solidly-built margarita glass will stand up to use and last for years with proper care. When you are shopping, find glasses that are insulated or double-walled and made with stronger materials.
That said, there are stemless margarita glasses if you’d prefer to serve your drink with a more stable base.
Aesthetic
The standard margarita glass is iconic because of its wide, short bowl and short stem. While many glasses are clear, you can choose a more aesthetically interesting glass that is hand-blown with bright, colorful accents.
Margarita glass for entertaining cost
The price of a margarita glass set will vary depending on how many glasses are included, the craftsmanship involved, the design, the aesthetic and durability of the glass. Our best margarita glass picks start at just under $40 and range to over $100 per set.
Margarita glass for entertaining FAQ
Are margarita glasses suitable for use in the dishwasher?
A. The manufacturer should indicate on the margarita glass set whether or not their glasses are dishwasher safe, but most glassware is safe for use in your dishwasher. Some dishwashers have clips on the upper rack to secure the stems of wine and margarita glasses, which will help prevent breaking.
What other bar tools will I need to make a margarita?
A. A classic shaker and drink strainer are recommended, but they are not absolutely necessary to make a great margarita. However, a high-quality blender is required for frozen margaritas.
Which margarita glasses for entertaining should I get?
Best of the best margarita glass for entertaining
Dos Suenos margarita glass: available at Amazon
Our take: These beautiful glasses are hand-blown with great skill. The aqua blue accents create a fun look for your next margarita glass set.
What we like: Thick and sturdy, these glasses can hold 14 ounces of fluid and are made of recycled materials. Each glass is ever-so-slightly unique which gives them an authentic feel. They are lead-free and very eye-catching.
What we dislike: They come at a higher price point due to their craftsmanship.
Best bang for your buck margarita glass for entertaining
Libbey margarita glass: available at Amazon
Our take: This smaller, sleeker margarita glass is highly affordable and dishwasher safe.
What we like: The rounded rim on the glass made it easy to garnish these glasses with salt. The Libbey margarita glass also comes with packaging that could be used for storage when not in use. They are uniform glasses that suit any decor and have a classic look.
What we dislike: Due to the size of the glass, they can only contain nine fluid ounces.
Honorable mention margarita glass for entertaining
Dragon Glassware margarita glass: available at Amazon
Our take: These stemless, double-walled, margarita glasses insulate your margarita keeping it nice and cold. They are unlikely to tip over or break, and they are suitable for regular use.
What we like: These glasses are an excellent choice for keeping your margarita cold, do not accumulate condensation, are ideal for frozen beverages and are freezer safe. They also make a great gift.
What we dislike: As they are double-walled, these glasses need to be washed by hand.
Ashley Britten is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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