Customer Reviews

The Great Margarita Book

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This book has very good chapters regarding the origins of the margarita and about the different types of tequila. But, as far as margarita recipes... well... it's the same recipe over and over substituting different brands of tequila and orange liqueur. The proportions of tequila to liqueur to lemon (or lime) juice are itentical for each "recipe."

But, I must give some credit to the author... he does clearly state on page 30: "Although the mixing procedure is essentially the same for each margarita, the tequila and orange liqueur--or combination of the two--change from recipe to recipe." But, with that said, the whole book could have been reduced to a one-page chart with all of the tequilas listed on the page with "best mixed with" liqueur type listed next to it. Instead, we are treated to a whole book with identical "recipes" where the quantities remain the same, only the tequila brand names and liqueur brand names change.

Regarding the different types of tequila, the author likes to use the example of maple syrup. You have different grades of syrup that all taste different, then there's the syrups that are mixed with corn syrup. True, this is a good analogy for how different tequilas are made (100% agave vs. mixtos), but I think this analogy best fits the recipes in this book! For example, this book is similar to that of a pancake book that lists the same pancake recipe over and over, only the reader is instructed to use a different type of maple syrup for each "recipe." Yup, that's how this book reads!

I have a very good margarita recipe at home, it calls for the use of tequila, sweet & sour mix, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, and fresh orange juice. It makes an excellent margarita! But, there's nothing like it in this book... just the same basic recipe over-and-over-and-over again.

There are other books that are better at explaining how tequila is made and the differences between the brands... I would recommend buying those books to learn about tequila. Once you have a solid underatanding of tequila, then search the Internet and try various recipes.

If you want to learn about some different brands of tequila, this is okay, but you can get more and better information for free online. The margarita recipes are virtually identical. It's unbelievable that they have them printed over and over again, page after page, just with a different brand of tequila.

Ten Speed Press has added another spectacular edition to its fine series of books with this marvelous masterpiece on Margaritas! Al Lucero has definitely done his homework on this book and it shows with extreme detail and explanations of both recipes and the vast amount of Tequilas he speaks of and shows. The quality of paper and the way the pictures (in color) depict the different Tequilas, and the delectable looking Margaritas, will make your mouth water! I followed the simple directions to Mr Lucero's recipes and found Myself in Heaven! The Margaritas are delicious! If you love Margaritas - and you want high quality content, this book is a must!

Having tried many "authentic" margaritas, Maria's is truly the pinnacle. Don't buy this book if you are trying to duplicate a Chile's "premium" frozen margarita. If you go to Maria's and ask for a frozen margarita, they just might throw you out of the place. True the three ingredients are almost always 100% agave tequila, triple-sec (Bols, Cointreau, & Grand Marnier), and lemon juice (for its year-round consistency) or lime juice, but they have matched different tequilas to go with different triple-secs. Throw away all your preconceptions of what a margarita should tastle like, and really try one of these great recipes. Better yet hit Marias's in Santa Fe for a couple of their super premium margaritas. Enjoy!

This is yet another in the line of "The Great" series by TenSpeed Press. Here Al Lucero of Maria's Restaurant in Sante Fe provides all of his research into margaritas.

What those who have rated this as worthless do not realize or are interested in, is the fact that Maria's has experimented with each tequilla to realize if Cointreau or Grand Mariner goes best. Besides is tried and true recipe and instructions for perfect margaritas. Real margaritas are not the fluffed up fruity flavors that describe something more from the carnival than an authentic Mexican cocktail.

Included is interesting tidbits about the history of the drink as well as other tequilla based drinks as well. Love the info on how tequilla is achieved and the various tequilla producing regions as well as the classifications of these. Check out the line of tequilla of Casta which also has its own glassmaking facility. The bottles are truly collectors material. Magnificent and the margaritas are terrific as well.

This book was just what I needed. I own a Liquor store in southern oregon and was looking for some kind of book with the background and information about Tequila. A very informitive book with the background of the best tequilas. I have since stoked the store with most of those referenced in the book. Friends and I have a joyeous time using the recepies in the book. If you are looking for a great margarita then this is the book for you.

This book has everything you need to know about Margaritas. It gives you the history, explains different tequilas, and has enough recipes to keep you busy for quite some time. We especially like that the recipes were created for specific tequilas (the pictures of the bottles will be handy for your next trip to the liquor store). These are recipes for real Margaritas! The only complaint is that the tall, skinny book design makes it difficult to keep open. But as with so many other Ten Speed Press offerings, it's fun and useful!

OK. I bought this book originally from a store at the Dallas airport. I had no idea it was available online. This book is for the TRUE Margarita Fan. Ya, there are recpies that seem to repeat themselves...but the information on tequila making, Margarita history and ratings of premium tequila selections make it all worth it. I prefer to use limes not lemons like they call for. It is just all that much better.

If you are interested in true 100% Agave Tequila (the only way to go) and Margarita information BUY THIS BOOK! It also makes a great gift! I have included it in many Margarita Gift Baskets I have made.

It is well worth it's cheap price! I am enjoying a Margarita as I write this! Cheers! Salud!

The negative reviewers here don't understand how a real margarita is made or should taste. They probably think the sweet, syrupy crap served in most restaurants is what they should taste like. If you like your margaritas made with strawberries, pomegranate, etc. then this book is not for you. However, if you want to learn about Tequila, margarita history, and how to make the REAL thing, this is your book. As a bonus you get some really good recipes for Mexican food.

I totally disagree about the negative reviews of this book - In its purest form a margarita is simply three ingredients (4 if you include the ice and 5 with the salt) and the authors variations to me are from someone who is skilled in bringing the purist from to the art of an original margarita. Being a displaced Texan I have strived to find the ultimate margarita and in my research which was helped a great deal by this book is to share with my friends the perfect margarita. The idea of using pre made sweet mixes is an absolute turn off and just a cheap way of selling the customer a drink. If you want a recipe book with a bunch of silly variations including various fruit then this book (and its not a margarita) is not it but if you want to strive to make the simplest purest margarita in it's true form this book is it. The subtleties in the various ways that each tequila tastes individually and in it's mix with making a margarita is incredible. I for one had too many cheap margaritas until I was suggested by a waitress to try upscale tequila - In a word - incredible - the difference that one tequila to another is the difference that wine snobs take note over various wines. There is a difference!! I challenge anyone to do a taste test with friends - make the margarita the right way and make it with a margarita mix in a bottle. I guarantee if you do it right the original version will win smiles and everyone will swear off the mixes. Quit being duped and quit serving margarita mixes.