Cinco de Mayo may seem a little distant — we still have to make it through Chicago’s fickle spring weather — but we’re planning ahead. Map out your Cinco de Mayo margarita crawl, or try a couple test runs before the big day. Blended or on the rocks, sugar or salt on the rim, top-shelf mezcals and tequilas — we’ve hit all the highlights with these eight delicious cocktails. 

Antique Taco - Bridgeport

Photo courtesy of Antique Taco

Antique Taco is all about beautiful presentation, a wide open dining space with rustic wood flooring, and, of course, artfully plated tacos. But we’re here for the margarita, and the house special doesn’t disappoint. The rosemary margarita, served in a mason jar, is made with rosemary simple syrup, lime juice, orange juice, and tequila. It’s garnished with a spring of fresh rosemary and served on the rocks. Get this mouthwatering margarita at Antique Taco’s Bridgeport location. 

Café Con Leche - Logan Square

Photo courtesy of Café Con Leche

Café Con Leche in Logan Square does breakfast, lunch, dinner, and irresistible margaritas. The house margarita combines Lunazul tequila and orange liqueur with the restaurant’s own citrus mix. It comes on the rocks with your choice of sugar or salt on the rim. Good news for anyone who falls in love with these margaritas, happy hour runs every Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy $5 margaritas and $20 pitchers.

Cesar’s -  Lakeview / Boystown

Photo courtesy of Cesar’s

Cesar’s entire reputation is built on its sizeable killer margaritas. Fans of fruity margaritas will love the flavor selection that includes orange passion, mango, peach, guava, watermelon, banana, lime, raspberry, strawberry, tamarind, and peach. Be prepared for a strong drink when you order one of these. If you happen to be a tequila connoisseur, you can order a drink with Herradura Double Barrel Reposado Tequila. Cesar’s has two locations: one in Lakeview and one in Boystown.

Flaco’s Tacos - Edgewater

Photo courtesy of Flaco’s Tacos

Flaco’s Tacos is a casual eatery with locations in Edgewater as well as on Printer’s Row and the Magnificent Mile. Flaco’s whips up its margaritas in a machine, and these blended drinks are the boozy slushie of your dreams. Traditionalists will appreciate the lime margarita with salt on the rim, but you can mix it up with a swirl of mango, peach, wildberry, or strawberry flavoring. Stop by on Monday for $3 margaritas and the on-special chicken flautas. 

La Vaca Margarita Bar - Pilsen

Photo courtesy of La Vaca Margarita Bar

La Vaca Margarita Bar in Pilsen makes margaritas to your specifications: blended or on the rocks, sugar or salt on the rim. If you want to try something a little different, order a glass or a pitcher of the blackberry margarita. This drink is just the right blend of tart and sweet. Don’t let the smooth flavor deceive you; these drinks pack quite a punch.

Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar - Bridgeport

Photo courtesy of Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar

The Morgan Street Margarita is a mainstay on the house cocktail menu at Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar. Take a step away from the sweet and fruity with this smoky and spicy margarita made with mezcal, tequila, lime juice, and spicy syrup. The drink comes served on the rocks at this Bridgeport bar. Bonus, this margarita, and any other house cocktail, is just $10. 

Taco Joint - River North / Lincoln Park

Photo courtesy of Taco Joint

Taco Joint puts together a menu inspired by Mexican street food. You can choose from dishes like street corn, tamales, and (obviously) tacos. Plus, all of the salsa is made from scratch. The house-made margaritas come in a lot of different flavors, but we’d recommend trying the Black ‘N’ Green Margarita. Sip on Negra Modelo Beer poured over the blended TJ Margarita made with El Jimador Tequila Blanco, orange liqueur, and a salted rim. Taco Joint has spots in River North and Lincoln Park, as well as a Streeterville location opening soon. 

Takito Kitchen - Wicker Park

Photo courtesy of Takito Kitchen

Takito Kitchen in Wicker Park has a solid stable of margaritas to catch your eye. Try something refreshing with the cucumber margarita. This cool drink is made with Combier, Corazon Blanco Tequila, agave, fresh cucumber, and fresh lime. If you like a smoky margarita, just ask to add a mezcal float. You can also treat yourself to a big margarita — just ask to double any margarita on the menu.