Lime Time
Where to Find Sarasota’s Best Margaritas, Just in Time for Cinco De Mayo
A great margarita will never go out of style. Here are some of our favorites.

State Street Eating House + Cocktails' margarita.
Image: Chad Spencer
You could celebrate Cinco De Mayo without margaritas, we guess, but we're not sure why you'd want to. Here are some of favorites:
Circo
1435 Second St., Sarasota, (941) 253-0978
We know, we know. Why would a taco and bourbon joint have a worthy margarita for this list? Trust us—it does. Order one by the glass with several flavor options, or bring some friends and order a margarita jug.
El Melvin Cocina Mexicana
1355 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 366-1618
El Melvin's hot and spicy menu, prime location and bumping music add up to Cinco De Mayo perfection. Try the "Sarasota Sunset" margarita with orange agave nectar and passion fruit. The "El Diablo," mixed with red wine, is another nice option.
Jack Dusty
1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota, (941) 309-2266
Looking for a refreshing, delicate drink? The reddish-hued Italian liqueur Casoni makes Jack Dusty's marg pretty in pink—and lovely to drink.
Mi Pueblo
8405 Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, (941) 359-9303; 4436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 379-2880; 530 U.S. 41 Bypass, Venice, (941) 486-0005
You'll find 10—yes, 10!—margarita options at Mi Pueblo, from one with orange and cranberry juices to one with mint leaves and even one with powdered sugar.
Mr. Tequila
3969 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, (941) 312-5110; 491 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, (941) 751-9006
Grab a pitcher to share at this Mexican joint. From frozen to flavored to mixed with a splash of sweet sangria, Mr. Tequila has you covered.
The Old Salty Dog
1601B Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, (941) 388-4311; 5023 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota, (941) 349-0158; 1475 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, (941) 483-1000
Blue skies, sunshine, a salty breeze—we'd be hard-pressed to find a better place in Sarasota to kick back. And the Grand Marnier floater on this 'rita only adds to the bliss.
Reyna's Taqueria
935 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota, (941) 260-8343
This taqueria may only have one marg on the menu, but one is all it needs. No wonder "reyna" translates as "queen." The house-made lemon-lime margarita reigns in our book.
State Street Eating House + Cocktails
1533 State St., Sarasota, (941) 951-1533
Tequila that's barrel-aged in-house and mixed with fresh lime juice, Bauchant orange liqueur, a secret simple syrup recipe and fancy peach salt from Australia make State Street's margarita a winner.
The Grasshopper
7253 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 923-3688
They say never mix beer and liquor, but sometimes, you have to break the rules. Have some fun with the Coronarita, made with tequila and a seven-ounce cold Corona beer in the glass.
Wicked Cantina
1603 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 706-2395; 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach, (941) 281-2990
You're guaranteed a wicked time at this cantina, which serves nine different margaritas. Kick back with the "Sweet Heat," made with mango purée and muddled jalapeño, or the "Tiki," made with Don Julio Blanco tequila, triple sec and pineapple.