This Trudy’s Copycat Mexican Martini is a Tex-Mex take on the classic margarita on the rocks.
Austin has some amazing Tex-Mex restaurants, but one of my favorites is a place called Trudy’s Tex-Mex Restaurant and Bar (we just call it “Trudy’s”). My favorite food to order is their stuffed avocados (which I’ll have to copycat another day), but they are best known for their Mexican martinis (which most people shorten to “mexmarts”).
If you’ve never had the amazing joy of drinking one, a Mexican martini is a margarita on the rocks that has the addition of olive juice (like a dirty martini). It’s typically served in a salt-rimmed martini glass with a garnish of green olives and (the best part) a full shaker of mexmarts on the side.
Back when I lived in Austin, some friends and I had a standing Tuesday Trudy’s date for their “top shelf Tuesday” specials. We’d gather together to shoot the breeze on their patio and get our mexmart fix for the week with a nice discount on . Afterwards, we’d often head to the roller skating rink for adult skate night. Those Tuesdays were my favorite.
Sometimes I get homesick for those days, so I decided a while ago to duplicate their Mexican martini recipe. After a few trials (and a minor kitchen explosion when I made the mistake of putting Sprite in my cocktail shaker…) I landed on a recipe that’s pretty darn close and really hits the spot. It’s become my go-to for backyard parties, and It’s going to be perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday!
Trudy’s Copycat Mexican Martini
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5
Description
This Mexican Martini is a Tex-Mex take on the classic margarita on the rocks.
Ingredients
- 2 fluid oz tequila (I like Jose Cuervo 1800)
- 1 fluid oz gran marnier (or triple sec)
- 2 fluid oz sweet and sour mix (see recipe below)
- 1 fluid oz orange juice
- Juice of 1/2 lime (or 1/2 fluid oz)
- Splash of green olive juice (from a jar of olives)
- 6 green olives (for garnish)
- Margarita salt (optional to rim the glasses)
For homemade Sweet and Sour mix
- 1 part water
- 1 part sugar
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part lime juice
- (I typically use 3/4 cup each)
Instructions
For Sweet and Sour Mix
- Heat water until almost boiling on stove top or in microwave.
- Dissolve the sugar fully in the water.
- Add lemon and lime juice and refrigerate until cold.
- Can be stored sealed in the fridge for up to a month.
For the mexmart
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice and shake.
- Strain into two martini glasses rimmed with salt and garnished with a toothpick of stuffed olives. (Or keep the extra in the shaker all for yourself.)
Notes
- This is gluten-free.
- This is vegetarian/vegan as long as you use vegan spirits.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Looks so yummy! The only martinis I’ve had are ones with lots of olive juice because I’m not great with vodka straight up…but these look delicious!
I totally agree with you on the vodka! I think that’s why I like these so much. You can pretend you’re drinking a fancy martini, but you’re really just hiding your margarita habit. Haha.
I’m an Austin-ite transplanted to Lakewood, CO for about 3yrs now. I’m missing my Mex-martinis! I’m going to give this a go, sounds like you’ve nailed it…thanks for the trial and error work!
I hope you approve! Please come back and let me know what you think.
My husband said this was the best margarita he’s ever had! This recipe is so good! Thank you!
This tastes just like the ones at Trudy’s – so glad to have found this recipe for when I’m craving them!