The Spirit World

We arrive in Cabo San Lucas to a downpour. It’s already dark, being 4 hours later than we expected due to the storm. But, as we walk into the Twin Dolphin, we are greeted with warm smiles and margaritas, and the world is right again. There is just something about those margaritas.

Later, we found out the secret… Damiana, the golden ambrosia, tamer of tequila, Buddhi-bellied fertility goddess of the Baja. Damiana is an herbal-based liquor made from a plant native to Central and South America. Traditionally, the leaves were dried and made into a tea, with a flavor similar to chamomile. When the liquor is added to a margarita, in place of the Grand Marnier or Cointreau, the whole drink transforms to a mellow nectar that goes down preposterously smoothly. One might argue far too smoothly.

Purists might argue that with this substitution, it’s no longer a real margarita. But the origins of the traditional margarita are still somewhat disputed, and Hussong’s Cantina (the most famous bar you may have never heard of) in Ensenada still claims it was the first… and includes Damiana as one of the original ingredients.

So, maybe it’s the original margarita or maybe it isn’t. Really, who cares, when it’s this good?

Damiana maybe hard to find at the local liquor store though, so we always make it a point to grab a bottle or two from the duty free stores when we are in the Baja. If you don’t have a trip in your immediate future though, check out the list of retailers on the Damiana.net site.

Twin Dolphin Margarita
1 part fresh lime juice
1 part white tequila
1 part Damiana
Simple syrup, to taste

Serve over crushed or cubed ice.