Chillin' in Margaritaville

By Don Anderson, Richard Franco and Jeremy Zona

Oppressive. Scorching. Stifling. These are some of the words used to describe summer in downtown Phoenix. People have a variety of ways to beat the heat, from swimming pools to air conditioning to standing in front of an open refrigerator.

But for adults, one of the popular ways to cool off in the summer is with an ice cold drink.

“We recommend our hand-made margaritas,” said Chris Mirza, general manager of Mi Amigos Mexican Grill. “We use all top-shelf tequilas for it. It’s called a Cadillac Margarita. It’s fresh and it’s handmade. It’s excellent.”

Mirza has managed the restaurant for 17 years and in that time has seen thousands of customers pony up to the bar to slake their thirst on blistering summer days.

“Margaritas are one of our customers favorite ways to live with the heat,” said Juana Soto, a bartender at Mi Amigos. “I have been making margaritas for several years. It is one of my best drinks.” Soto smiles as she takes the ingredients for her margarita: 1800 Tequila, Gran Mariner, sweet and sour and triple sec. Stir the ingredients in a chilled glass rimmed with salt and enjoy.

Margaritas are one way that Shannon McShea-Johansson of Danville, Pennsylvania, used to beat the Phoenix heat. She and her family were waiting for the Diamondbacks game to start.

“Well, I’ve done two things so far,” McShea-Johansson said. “I’ve had a couple of margaritas and we were at the botanical gardens this morning.”

Though they may not be for everyone, Margaritas are a sure way to cut through the cruel Arizona summer heat.

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Juana Soto is pleased with her "Cadillac Margarita," a specialty at Mi Amigos Mexican Grill.  (Photo by Don Anderson)

Margaritas, like this one from Mi Amigos Mexican Grill, are a popular way to cool off. (Photo by Don Anderson)

Shannon McShea-Johansson discusses ways she cools off in the Arizona summer.  (Photo by Don Anderson)