The Only Margarita Mix I'll Buy Is From Trader Joe's

We all know the best recommendations come from trusted confidants. Road tested and preapproved, this info is immediately stored for future use. Even better? Recommendations for generic products that compete with (or even outperform) pricier versions. So when my friend Heidi served up one of the most well-balanced margaritas I’ve had in a while, I needed the scoop. Was it homemade or from a mix?

Turns out I had Trader Joe’s to thank. One of my favorite stores came through once more, this time in the form of a 32-ounce jug of Organic Margarita Mix. It boasts a small ingredients list, including organic lime juice, organic agave syrup, and, very importantly, sea salt. And at the time of this writing, it costs just $3.99. According to Heidi, this shelf-stable TJ’s mix is near-identical to a brand that she had previously enjoyed, one that’s at least double in price (if you can even find it in stores).

TJ’s recommends a 2:1 ratio of margarita mix to your favorite tequila (I love a tequila blanco like Lalo). I personally find this a bit too sweet and instead find that a 1:1 ratio on the rocks is great for a robust margarita. Top with a splash of seltzer or club soda and you have a margarita spritz. Just give it a stir and grab yourself a straw. Zingy and refreshing, it’s perfect for slow-sipping by the pool. To that end, the tangy base is also great with no tequila at all—just bubbly water and lots of ice make for a NA quencher.

Will anything beat a homemade margarita made with fresh lime juice? Probably not. But for large gatherings this summer, when I don’t want to be stuck squeezing limes all day, I’m buying this product in bulk while it’s still around.

To go with that marg