Santiago's Shows How to Make a Perfect Maragrita Today

If you were doing a little drinking last Saturday at about 3 p.m., you weren't the only one.

Over at , a group of dedicated margarita-makers in training were squeezing limes, licking salt and finding out just how the bar staff at Santiago’s makes such killer Margaritas.

"Fresh limes, that's the key," Nikki Zimmerman told me when I arrived. "Softer, smoother limes make a better margarita."

This and other helpful tips were revealed at the seminar—part of Santiago's events for . Led by Santiago's bartender Serafin Jimenez, drinkers learned what makes a good tequila (and what makes a great tequila), how to pick limes, and the importance of using fresh ingredients. 

Wish you had been able to make it last week? Well, you're in luck. Santiago’s hosts their class again today at 3 p.m. Entrance is $20 a person and includes two margaritas (I saw some shots out there too).

Santiago's (Perfect) Margarita Recipe:

• 1 shot of fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 shot fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 shot of Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• 1/2 tbsp of Agave Nectar (you can use sugar too, but this has less calories)
• 1 shot of tequila (Santiago’s used Cabo, but you can pick your favorite)

*Tip: 1 shot of juice from a full lemon or lime.

Shake over ice, and then serve over ice. Chips and fresh pico de gallo on the side helps too!

Drink and Read:

If you're looking for more drinking fun, talk to Nikki Zimmerman over at the about her Bar Noir series, which brings drinking and book discussion together (finally).