We’ve had enough of wacky weather. We just want to capture summer in a glass—and drink it on the patio. A hint of lime. A salted rim. A tequila kick. Margaritas can melt all your troubles away. Every Monday in May we’ll narrow down our margarita bracket, and it’s your job to crown the champ. (Editor's note: Voting for this round has ended.) We'll reveal the margs that move on to the next round Monday.

(Don't see your top-ranking 'ritas in the competition? Click here to create your Playlist of your favorite spots for margaritas. We'll highlight our fave playlists each week.)

Tarascas International
The Macho Margarita, $18
Good luck standing up straight after downing the 45-and-a-half-ounce house margarita. (Tip: Sharing is caring.) Six shots of Montezuma Silver tequila and four and a half shots of triple sec really pack a punch!
vs.
El Nuevo Mexicano
La Nueva Margarita, $9
Ask for your Herradura Silver tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime juice ’rita served straight up; it’s shaken tableside. Or, add some sex appeal and order the X-Rated version, made with the eponymous fruit-fusion liqueur (also $9).


El Cid 2
Large house margarita, $8.75
You could get a small ($4.75), but why not order up a large and settle into a seat at this Logan Square institution’s back patio?
vs.
La Taberna Tapatia
House margarita, $6.50
If there are long lines across the street at El Tapatio, don’t fret—you don’t have to wait for one of their margaritas. A sibling of its bustling neighbor, this bar/restaurant uses the same classic recipe.


Zapatista
Margarita Zapatista, $8
It’s practically a sin to go out for Mexican food without ordering a margarita, so it’s no surprise restaurant-goers also line the bar for house margs at this South Loop spot with a sidewalk patio in the works.
vs.
Blue Agave
House margarita, $8.75
Overindulge on this party-in-a-glass and you might end up embarrassing yourself by drunk texting an ex. Not that we’d know. Just blame the "secret ingredients" added to this infamous 16-ouncer served on the rocks, frozen or flavored.


The Matchbox
House margarita, $7
Egg whites? Powdered sugar? Unusual ingredients, perhaps, but they’re part of the reason this margarita, served up in a martini glass, has legions of fans.
vs.
Salud Tequila Lounge
House margarita, $8
It’s rare to see a house margarita made with premium ingredients like fresh lime juice, 100-percent agave tequila and agave nectar, but that’s why we love this one. It’s probably why you do too.


Rank your ’ritas
We want to hear about your favorite spots for margaritas. Click here to create your own Playlist highlighting the ones that really get you going. We’ll run our favorite reader Playlists in print.

[ Karen Budell is the Metromix nightlife producer. Matt McGuire is the Metromix editor. ]
metromix@tribune.com