Michael Carlisi, bar manager of Barrio, discusses the appeal of Ghirardelli Square in the summer and the inspiration behind this seasonal take on the classic agave margarita, made using Milagro tequila.
The recipe:
.5 oz orange accented agave
1 oz lime
2 oz Milagro tequila
3 oz fresh cold pressed pineapple juice
Shake well and serve over ice with a chili salt rim.
Ghirardelli Square in the summer and the inspiration behind this seasonal take on the classic agave margarita, made using Milagro tequila.
About Barrio:
Barrio is an agave bar and Latin kitchen located in Ghirardelli Square. It offers a spectacular view of the Bay, whether from the dining room, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, or the large, colorful patio space.
Carlisi says the view was one of the main inspirations in creating this summer margarita recipe – not just the scenery itself, but the way it makes people want to linger. Unlike many bars, Barrio is open all day, and Carlisi says it’s a point of pride that many patrons choose to take their time once they settle on the deck, enjoying the scenery over the course of an afternoon. With that in mind, he wanted to create something light, juicy, and refreshing, meant for sipping in the sunshine, throughout the day.
He recommends pairing this fresh, fruity take on the classic margarita with something salty and a little bit greasy, like Barrio’s beef birria tacos.
About Milagro:
Milagro is a 100% blue agave tequila known for its smoothness and bright, fresh taste. It’s made using a combination of both traditional and innovative methods. First, agave pinas are slow-roasted in traditional brick ovens, which brings out their natural fresh flavor. Then the fermented juice is distilled twice. Unlike most tequila companies, Milagro is made using two kinds of still, each of which bring out different qualities. This double distillation is what makes it exceptionally smooth.
According to Carlisi, that smoothness makes Milagro the perfect tequila to complement the sort of natural flavors he gravitates to in developing new recipes for the Barrio drink menu. He says the clean, fresh aftertaste really allows the seasonal ingredients to shine through.
In many ways, Milagro’s approach to distilling mirrors what he strives for in creating drinks for Barrio: raising the bar on the quality and execution of a classic, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. He says that his most universally-beloved recipes are those that take a simple, familiar concept and elevate it with fresh, in-season ingredients.
More recipes:
For a classic margarita, try Milagro’s signature Freshest Margarita.
- 2 parts Milagro silver
- 1 part fresh lime juice
- ¾ part agave nectar (or simple syrup)