Red Lobster Dew Garita | Easy Mountain Dew Margarita

The first time I spotted Red Lobster’s vibrant green Dew Garita on their cocktail menu, I was skeptical. Mountain Dew in a margarita? It sounded like a college dorm room experiment gone wild. But curiosity got the better of me, and with one sip, I was utterly won over by this playful creation that somehow manages to be both whimsical and well-balanced.

After enjoying it during a night out with my husband, who insisted on trying a sip once they saw the eye-catching color, I decided to recreate it at home for our next gathering. The reaction was universal: raised eyebrows followed quickly by surprised smiles as everyone discovered this unconventional combination works beautifully.

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Why This Recipe Works

This unexpected cocktail succeeds because it cleverly balances sweet, sour, and pungent elements—the three pillars of any good mixed drink. The Midori (melon liqueur) provides a fruity sweetness that harmonizes surprisingly well with the citrus notes in Mountain Dew, while fresh lime juice and sour mix bring the necessary acidity to prevent the drink from becoming cloying. Despite its playful appearance, the tequila and triple sec create a solid foundation that reminds you this is still a proper margarita. The small amount of Mountain Dew adds just enough of its distinctive flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients, creating a refreshing and balanced cocktail rather than sickly sweet.

Ingredients

• Tequila – Forms the spirit base of this margarita (any variety works well)
• Midori – Provides the signature melon flavor and vibrant green color
• Sour mix – Delivers balanced sweetness and acidity
• Triple Sec – Adds orange flavor and additional sweetness
• Fresh lime juice – Contributes essential brightness and authentic margarita flavor
• Mountain Dew – Creates the signature twist that defines this unique cocktail
• Cocktail sugar – Adds sparkle and sweetness to the rimmed glass

How to make the Red Lobster Dew Garita

New to cocktails? No problem. This is easy.

1. Grab a margarita glass, rub a cut lime over the edge, and rim the glass with some cocktail sugar.
2. Grab a shaker, and pour in the tequila, Midori, sour mix, lime juice, and fill it with ice.
3. Shake for about 30 seconds, and pour this over ice in a margarita glass.
4. Add an ounce or two of Mountain Dew, and stir with a straw.

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