A margarita is a classic tequila-based cocktail that is popular at Mexican restaurants, bars, and parties. Margaritas come in a variety of sizes, from small 8 oz drinks to extra-large 32 oz margaritas designed to share. But what exactly constitutes a “large” margarita? There is no official standard drink size, so a large margarita can vary quite a bit from place to place. In this article, we’ll take a look at common margarita sizes to help determine what a large margarita typically looks like.
Typical Margarita Glass Sizes
Margaritas are traditionally served in specific margarita glasses. These glasses come in standard sizes, which gives us a starting point for evaluating margarita sizes. Here are some of the most common margarita glass sizes:
| Glass Size | Ounces |
|---|---|
| Small | 8-10 oz |
| Medium | 12 oz |
| Large | 16-18 oz |
| Extra Large | 22-32 oz |
As you can see, margarita glasses tend to range from 8 ounces on the small end up to 32 ounces for extra-large shared margaritas. The large size, according to typical margarita glass measurements, is 16-18 ounces.
Standard Restaurant & Bar Margarita Sizes
Beyond the standard margarita glass sizes, we can also look at how most restaurants and bars menu and serve margaritas. This gives us insight into what they consider a “regular” vs. “large” margarita. Here are some common margarita sizes you’ll see on menus:
Regular/Standard: 12-14 ounces
Large: 16-20 ounces
Extra Large: 22-32 ounces
Again, we see that a “large” margarita at most places falls into the 16-20 ounce range, taking it up a notch from their regular 12-14 oz margaritas. Anything over 20 ounces tends to be considered extra large or a double.
Total Ounces of Alcohol
Another way to look at margarita sizes is by calculating the total ounces of tequila or alcohol in the drink. Here’s a breakdown:
| Margarita Size | Alcohol Ounces* |
|---|---|
| 12 oz Regular | Around 1.5 oz |
| 16 oz Large | Around 2 oz |
| 20 oz Extra Large | Around 2.5 oz |
\*Using typical margarita recipes with 1 oz alcohol per 6-8 oz drink.
A regular 12 oz margarita contains around 1.5 oz of tequila. When you move up to a 16 oz large size, you get a full 2 ounces of alcohol. The bigger 20 oz extra large has 2.5 oz or more. So the “large” 16 oz option represents a sizable jump in total alcohol compared to a standard margarita.
Subjective Definitions
Beyond the numbers, “large” can also be a subjective term based on individual perceptions. Here are some factors that influence how large a drink seems:
– Glass shape – A wide 22 oz glass may not look as tall as a narrow 18 oz glass, so it appears smaller.
– Experience level – A 12 oz drink may seem large to a new drinker versus experienced drinkers who are used to bigger pours.
– Pace – A margarita sipped over an hour won’t seem as big as one consumed quickly in 20 minutes.
– Food – More food in your stomach makes a drink feel smaller.
So the same 16 oz margarita may be considered a normal drink with a big meal over time, or a huge liquor bomb on an empty stomach. Perspective plays a role in subjective drink size definitions.
Specialty Oversized Margaritas
Beyond the regular menu options, some restaurants and bars offer specialty extra-large margaritas meant for sharing. Here are a few over-the-top options:
| Oversized Margarita | Size |
|---|---|
| Cowboy Rita at Concrete Cowboy | 60 oz |
| Margarita Tower at Red Lobster | 80 oz |
| Pitcher Rita at Chevy’s | 128 oz |
These massive margaritas live up to their names and really push the boundaries of “large.” They range from 60 ounces up to a full gallon, made for sharing between 4+ people. They may not represent the typical “large” but provide examples of extreme margarita sizes.
Optimal Large Margarita Size
So what’s the perfect size for a large margarita? Given all the factors we’ve covered, here is an ideal size range:
16-20 ounces
This provides a noticeable step up from a regular 12 oz margarita, while still being manageable for one person. It fits well within the standard definition of a “large” drink size. And it will deliver around 2-2.5 ounces of alcohol, resulting in a solid buzz without going overboard. If you want a big margarita that you can comfortably finish yourself, aim for the 16-20 oz sweet spot.
Conclusions
To summarize key points:
– Margarita glasses range from 8 oz small to 32 oz extra-large sizes, with 16-18 oz being a typical “large” glass.
– On most menus, a “large” margarita is 16-20 oz, compared to 12-14 oz regular size.
– A 16 oz large margarita has about 2 oz of alcohol, a significant jump from 1.5 oz in a standard drink.
– Subjective perceptions of size depend on individual experience, pace of drinking, and other factors.
– Some specialty margaritas push boundaries with 60-128 oz sizes made for sharing.
– The ideal sweet spot for most large margaritas is 16-20 ounces – noticeably bigger than regular size but still manageable.
So in most cases, you can expect a large restaurant or bar margarita to clock in around 16-20 fluid ounces. Bigger than a regular margarita but smaller than an ultra-gigantic sharable one. Sip responsibly and enjoy!