Post Meridiem Margarita

This Margarita from POST MERIDIEM comes in a can at 27.5% ABV, a figure well above the 5 to 13 percent most canned cocktails carry. That puts it closer to a bottled, spirit-forward margarita than to a light spritzer. It is a pre-mixed lime-and-agave-style sour, labeled from Georgia, and it is ready to pour as soon as it is cold. Expect the tart citrus and sweetness that define a margarita, with the strength of the spirit more evident than in a low-proof can. Because of that strength, temperature matters more than usual. Chill the can thoroughly, ideally for several hours in the fridge or a long stretch in an ice bath, so the cocktail pours cold and slightly viscous instead of hot and sharp. Pour it over fresh ice in a rocks glass and let it sit a minute or two. The ice dilution is helpful here, since it softens the alcohol and lets the lime come forward. A salted or sugared rim is a simple addition if you want one, though nothing else is needed: no shaker, no juice, no extra spirit. Drinking straight from the can is also workable when the can is very cold, but a glass over ice suits a drink at this strength better. The classic margarita pairings apply. Styles like this usually work well with salty, spicy, and fried food: tacos al pastor, carnitas, fish tacos with a squeeze of lime, chips with guacamole or salsa, queso, shrimp, grilled chicken, and anything with chili heat. The acidity cuts through rich, fatty dishes, while the sweetness tempers spice. It also suits moments where you want a finished cocktail without the setup. It fits a patio gathering, a cookout, a taco night, or a bag for a cooler or picnic. A single can holds a small, strong serving rather than a full-size pour, so it is easy to share or to drink slowly over ice.