Sips & Sights – Margarita Magic at El Tres

There’s something about sipping a cold, refreshing drink on a sunny patio that just feels like pure happiness. I’ve always believed that great drinks tell great stories about a place, a moment, or even a memory. So this summer, I’ve decided to take you along for the ride as I explore Thunder Bay’s vibrant beverage scene. From cocktails to mocktails, coffees to local brews, I’ll be tasting, toasting, and telling all in this brand-new column, Candi’s Sips & Sights.

My first stop? El Tres, right in the heart of downtown. Now let’s be honest, when someone says “margarita,” it’s easy to picture the overly sweet, slushy kind that comes out of a machine at an all-inclusive resort. But El Tres isn’t that kind of place. Their margarita is next level. It’s smooth, fresh, tangy, and served in a way that feels both classic and elevated.
The drink is a perfect blend of tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup — shaken, poured over ice, and finished with that all-important salted rim. It’s balanced. It’s bright. And on a hot Thunder Bay day, it’s basically liquid air conditioning. I swear I took my first sip and said out loud, “This is how summer should taste.” Of course, me being me, I had to dig into a little history, too. The margarita has several stories behind it, no one can quite agree on who actually invented it, but most say it came out of Mexico in the late 1930s or early ’40s. Some credit a bartender trying to impress a beautiful woman named Margarita. Others believe it was born when tequila lovers wanted a twist on the “Daisy,” an old-school cocktail with citrus and liqueur (and “daisy” in Spanish is… you guessed it — margarita). No matter where it started, the margarita has earned its reputation as a timeless, crowd-pleasing classic.

And El Tres? They’ve truly done it justice. The vibe of the restaurant itself helps, too — colorful, vibrant, and full of personality, it’s the kind of place where the drinks are just the beginning. Pair it with some tacos or chips and guac, and you’ve got yourself a perfect afternoon.

So whether you’re planning your next night out, a date night, or just want to treat yourself on a sunny day, do yourself a favor and order the margarita from El Tres. One sip, and you’ll know exactly why I picked this as my first feature.

I’ll be back next time with another local gem — a new drink, a new spot, and maybe a new story to tell. Until then… Sip well, live fully, and stay cool out there!