Skinnygirl Margarita

Skinnygirl Margarita is a canned, pre-mixed tequila margarita from the Skinnygirl brand, listed under New York, and it comes in at 9.95% ABV. That's a little stronger than most hard seltzers and in line with other ready-to-drink cocktails. The distributor positions it as a lighter take on the classic, with tequila as the base and agave as the sweetener in place of a heavy sugar-syrup mix. Expect the flavor profile to follow that outline: lime-forward and tart, with a soft agave sweetness and a dry, clean finish rather than the syrupy sweetness of a bottled party mix. The brand's exact recipe and calorie count aren't given here, so check the can for those figures. The can needs no bartending, no shaker and no extra ingredients. Everything a margarita needs is already inside, so there's no lime to squeeze, no triple sec to measure and no sour mix to buy. Chill it thoroughly before opening. A margarita-style drink tastes best cold, and warmth tends to push the sweetness forward and flatten the citrus. A few hours in the fridge, or about 30 minutes in an ice bath, gets it to the right temperature. For serving, you can drink it straight from the can, which suits coolers, tailgates, patios and beach bags. To pour it, use a rocks glass or a short highball over fresh ice. A wedge of lime on the rim adds aroma, and a salted or Tajín-dusted rim adds contrast if you prefer a more savory edge. Pour over plenty of ice. Ice that's too small melts quickly and thins a drink that already sits at moderate strength. The tart-and-salty profile suits the foods margaritas have long been paired with. Tacos al pastor, carnitas, grilled shrimp, fish tacos, chips with guacamole or salsa, and nachos all work, as do quesadillas and anything with chili heat that the lime can offset. It's also an easy choice for a grill-out where you don't want to stock a full bar. One can, a glass of ice and a lime wedge make a complete serve, and a few chilled cans in a cooler cover a group without anyone mixing a round.