Nothing screams Tucson louder than margaritas.
Heck, we'd go so far as to proclaim it the Old Pueblo's unofficial official cocktail. So naturally, it deserves a foodie event all its own.
Which is probably what the folks at Tucson Originals were thinking back in 2005 when they launched the inaugural World Margarita Championship.
OK, "world championship" might be a stretch given that the mixologists are mostly from Tucson and none had to apply for a visa to get here.
Saturday's 19th annual event at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, features three dozen Tucson restaurants and food purveyors competing to see who can create the best margarita and tastiest bite.
Chefs and mixologists in the competition, which for years has been a collaboration with Tucson Originals and Art State Arizona (formerly Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance), will vie for two audience-voted awards: People's Choice and Judge's Choice.
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This year's competition was moved to La Paloma from Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa to accommodate a larger crowd, said Arts State Arizona CEO and founder Kate Marquez.
"Last year we sold out," she said, noting that attendance for the 2025 event was almost back to pre-pandemic levels of 800-900.
Three dozen Tucson restaurants and food producers are competing in Saturday's World Margarita Championship.
This year, Marquez is anticipating 800 people will attend. VIP tickets ($100 apiece) were in short supply as of early this week, but general admission tickets ($80) were available through artstateaz.org/world-margarita-championship.
The World Margarita Championship isn't just about sipping margaritas and sampling fabulous bites. Marquez and her team have created an immersive cultural experience with live music and artisans showcasing their handcrafted jewelry and artworks from fused glass to ceramics and woodwork. Gourmet food vendors, chocolatiers and candle and textile makers add works inspired by the Southwest landscape and culture.
But most of the folks on Saturday will be far too focused on navigating the room to get as many bites and sips in before the voting begins.
In addition to margaritas, Tucson's award-winning boutique distillery Whiskey Del Bac will offer tastings and specialty pours throughout the event, which runs from 6-8:30 p.m. No one under 21 will be admitted.
This year's participants and some of their creations
Roasted Green Chile Butter is introducing its signature chile butter.
[POPPED] Artisan Popcorn presents an assortment of its artisan popcorn flavors.
The Roasted Chile, a distributor that specializes in Hatch green chile-inspired beverages and mixers, is creating a Hatch green chile margarita.
The Westin La Paloma is pairing its margarita made with Flor De Mezaica and Flor De Jamaica Le' Creme with queso birria.
El Cisne Restaurant is bringing its tropical and coastal influences from the Sea of Cortez to its mango ginger margarita paired with mango ginger ceviche.
Seis Kitchen sets the table with influences from six Mexican culinary regions in its Seis signature margarita.
Tortilleria Arevalo, a family-owned tortilla maker and mesquite foods producer, is serving chicken asada tacos and homemade chips and salsa.
Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is pairing its margarita salad made with cucumber, tomato foam and microgreens with its award-winning prickly pear BBQ pork sandwich.
About 800 people are expected to turn out for Saturday's 19th annual World Margarita Championship at Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa.
Sip Social Southern Arizona is showcasing its elevated mobile cocktails with its spicy pilantro margarita with hibiscus paloma.
Sonoran House Sam Hughes will present some of Chef Gabby Alba's Sonoran-inspired bites and cocktails.
Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar is pairing its Mangolicious Margarita with quesabirria tacos.
The Royal Room is going a little tropical with its coconut margarita and tuna poke tacos.
Sawmill Run Restaurant is pairing its Golden Ember and Soft Landing with elote cheesecake and citrus almond cake.
Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen Chef Jose Contreras is pairing his Chiltepina Margarita and Desert Mezquite Margarita with enchilada mole madre veggies and enchilada mole madre birria.
Humo Cocina Mexicana offers chicken enchilada verde with its La Niña cocktail.
Reforma Modern Mexican Mezcal + Tequila brings its Reforma Cooler with a roasted corn and nopales salad.
Bashful Bandit Barbecue is smoking corndogs and grilling angel food cake, served with smoked strawberry compote to pair with its refreshing Cerezita cherry limeade margarita.
El Corral Prime Rib House is doing what it does best: prime rib presented as a crostini, paired with a smokey pineapple sorbet-rita.
Bisbee Breakfast Club is shedding its bacon-and-eggs rep when it pairs the Italian classic panzanella salad with a cocktail it calls The Italian Affair.
Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery is serving an elote margarita with stuffed chilaquiles.
RoadHouse Cinemas complements its Desert Sky Margarita with a prickly pear pork belly tostada and RoadHouse's gourmet caramel popcorn.
Kingfisher Bar & Grill is serving its Mi Tio Borracho Margarita.
Tucson Chefs Catering is baking mesquite chocolate chip cookies to go with its magenta margarita.
Obon Sushi Bar Ramen is pouring An Evening in Tokyo.
Casa Asada Taqueria y Cerveceria is presenting its Margarita de Tamarindo.
Dante’s Kitchen & Cocktails is serving chef-driven tacos and handcrafted cocktails.
Tabu Restaurant Bar is creating a watermelon Sonoran margarita with fresh watermelon.
Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery is creating a fresh citrus and smoky bacanora margarita.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com. On Bluesky @Starburch
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
