When Troy Guard opened Los Chingones in December of 2013, the Mexican-themed restaurant was a departure from TAG, the late-TAG Raw Bar (now Bubu), and TAG Burger Bar. We love the tacos, the upbeat Día de los Muertos vibe, and, as noted in our September review, the Silk Pajamas margarita.

In creating the cocktail, bar manager Nikki Guard was inspired by a cocktail she once sipped in Las Vegas. She also wanted to craft a traditional, sweet-and-sour margarita that didn’t induce that acidic, heartburn-feeling tequila lovers know all too well. Shaken egg whites soften the pucker factor and give the drink a silky texture. Another surprise: Gone is the typical limey-yellow color, instead orange juice renders the cocktail a soft orange hue. Stop by Los Chingones to try the margarita—make sure to pair it with the braised beef tongue taco or a side of chips and Guard’s guajillo salsa. Or, make the drink at home.


Note: The above graphic shows the generic ingredients used to make the cocktail. Below is the exact recipe that Los Chingones’ bartenders follow.

You’ll need:

1½ ounce Espolón Reposado Tequila

½ ounce Patrón Citronge

1½ ounce house-made sour mix

½ ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice

½ ounce fresh-squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice

1 ounce egg white

Directions: Put all ingredients in a shaker. Shake thoroughly, and pour into a glass. Serve with a lime wheel garnish.

Jerilyn Forsythe
Jerilyn Forsythe
Jerilyn Forsythe is a freelance writer and editor, and 5280's former digital associate editor. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter @jlforsyt.