“Would you like salt?” Is a standard question your server will ask after ordering a classic margarita.
That’s because salt and margaritas are a tried-and-true combination that date back to the drink’s reported 1930s origins where salt was used to enhance the natural flavors of the tequila. As the nature of evolution goes, however, there’s been plenty of riffs on margarita rims since then — from sweet to smoky to spicy.
Part of the rimmed variations are due to the ever-increasing experimentation among bartenders but also, cocktail salts are an underrated, convenient garnish. For the average home-bartender, it’s not always easy to keep garnishes of fresh fruit and produce on hand; preserved cocktail salts are a long-lasting embellishment for not only margaritas but also a variety of drinks.
From traditional cocktail salt to fruit-infused spices and chef-favorite seasonings that double as dependable blends to rim margaritas, here are five brands to keep on hand to seamlessly elevate your margarita’s presentation and flavor.
The Spice House Raspberry Margarita Salt
Produced in small batches, The Spice House’s newest release is the perfect way to switch up your classic savory rim with fruit-infused flavor. The salt features a blend of raspberry powder, sugar, mild chiles, and sea salt for a balanced “sweet-heat” that complements a variety of cocktails from a classic lime margarita to a raspberry margarita or if you’re ready to branch out to another famed tequila cocktail, try it on the rim of a paloma.
Tajín Clásico
One of today’s most prominently used seasonings to rim a spicy margarita began as a humble seasoning to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables in Mexico in 1985. After the brand underwent a redesign in 2000, Tajín started being exported around the globe and its tangy profile of mild chili peppers, lime and salt was appreciated for its use in cocktails. Though other flavors have come to market since gaining popularity, the Clásico seasoning is undeniably a favorite for spicy margaritas.
Bitterman Salt Co. Campfire Smoked Salt
If you like a hint of smoke in your margarita, try garnishing your glass with this smoked sea salt (and if you prefer it even smokier, consider swapping the tequila for mezcal). This fine grained sea salt is harvested from the coast of Maine, ground up by hand then cold-smoked with apple wood for a subtle, bacon-style flavor.
Burlap & Barrel Golden Crystal Turbinado Sugar
This crystal turbinado sugar from the island of Barbados is actually a bar cart staple as it not only adds a touch of sweetness to a citrus-forward margarita but also is perfect for use in cocktails that call for raw sugar. Produced from single origin, unrefined sugar cane, the turbinado crystals offer honey-like flavor that’s not overly candied but rather a balanced profile that emphasizes the naturally sweet undertones of the agave.
The Spice Lab Hawaiian Black Lava Salt
Even if you’re a traditionalist and enjoy the savory kick salt adds to your margarita, you know that not just any table salt will work for a rim; you need a salt that isn’t too coarse, will adhere to the glass and dissolve slightly on the palate. This fine grain Hawaiian lava salt enriched with activated charcoal offers all those qualities while also adding a stark contrast of black to the traditional pastel lime of a classic margarita. The lava salt is available in varying packages from a 4.3 oz French glass jar to a five-pound pouch, which makes storage convenient.