Jimmy Buffett's Preferred Drink Was Much Simpler Than A Margarita

Jimmy Buffett, the patron saint of Parrotheads around the world, died in 2023, leaving behind a rich musical body of work that paid homage to the Key West lifestyle. Some of our favorite Buffett tunes are (quelle surprise!) the ones related to delicious food and drink, including "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Grapefruit — Juicy Fruit," and, arguably his magnum opus, "Margaritaville." A breezy tune about getting blitzed on tropical drinks by the beach while nursing a case of existential ennui, the song was not only a Billboard hit but also inspired a whole hospitality empire of hotels, cruises, and restaurants bearing the same name.

That's why it's downright shocking to learn that, towards the end of his life, Buffett was eschewing margaritas ... and not just because a "margarita burn" is a dangerous risk associated with imbibing on the beach. The fact was, Buffett told USA Today in 2020, that he'd lost his taste for the sugary nature of a typical marg. "Margaritas have gotten very sweet. I like real lime juice; I don't like a lot of sugar," he said. Furthermore, he'd cut back on the frequent boozy nights that he made famous in his songs. What was Buffett's quaff of choice, then? On weekends, when he chose to take a drink, Buffett liked a simple tequila and lime. This beverage takes two essential margarita ingredients and jettisons what may be considered filler, like simple syrup and fruity liquor.

A tequila and lime is just like it sounds: a high-quality tequila (here's our list of the best tequilas for mixing in cocktails) and some fresh-squeezed lime juice. The pedigree of the tequila matters, because it's the star of the drink and a rotgut brand is not going to taste as pleasant and smooth as a nicer one. Feeling adventurous? Add some seltzer or mineral water, and you have Ranch Water. With some mint and sugar on top of that, you have a mojitarita. Tequila and lime is a classic, elegant combination that lends itself well to playing around and seriously improving your mixology game through trial and error.

Of course, if you're a beach bum like Buffett who enjoys margaritas but dislikes the sugary aftertaste, there are some possible solutions that don't involve forgoing this popular drink altogether. Keep in mind that a margarita on the rocks usually tastes less headache-inducingly sweet than the frozen neon concoctions spinning in a dispenser at a beach bar. A hand-mixed margarita need not include the simple syrup or sweet and sour mix that makes a cocktail taste like liquid candy. Agave nectar is one substitute that can produce a milder sweet flavor, but you can actually forego the sweetener altogether. Ultimately, remember that, on hot summer days, you have options when it comes to seaside sips that would do Jimmy Buffett's memory proud. Just watch out for stray pop-tops and unexpected tattoos.