Making the Strongest Margarita in New Canaan With Tequila Mockingbird

It's quite literally the house that tequila built. With over 200 varieties of tequila and the strongest margaritas in town, Tequila Mockingbird has been a fixture of New Canaan for nearly 17 years.

Raised in Colorado and trained at a Mexico City culinary school, owner Paul Mauk says he's always had an appreciation for our neighbors south of the border.

Mauk's restaurant is adorned from floor to ceiling with traditional Mexican crafts and banners—the only thing missing is the Mariachi band. And while Tequila Mockingbird's atmosphere is colorful and festive, one thing they don't joke about is their margaritas.

"There's a restaurant in Oaxaca [Mexico] I used to go to and they would make very traditional margaritas with fresh lime juice... they're strong like a martini," said Mauk. "I decided maybe it'd be a good idea to try and make those in New Canaan."

Made with three parts high-end tequila, two parts Orange Curacao and two parts fresh-squeezed lime juice, the Original Margarita accounts for 90 percent of the alcoholic beverages served at Tequila Mockingbird. The drink is so popular, the restaurant goes through nearly 1,500 bottles of Don Julio tequila every year.

As if the high volume of margarita sales weren't enough to make Mauk's restaurant the local authority on tequila, two of his bartenders attended tequila school in Mexico where they learned everything there is to know about the nectar of the agave plant.   

"We're the real deal," said Mauk. "If you're interested in tequila, we can answer all your questions."