When choosing a margarita recipe from the options available at Costco, one may choose to use their pre-mixed margaritas or their margarita mix with one of various different tequila selections. Which, however, is the best value? The following calculations may provide a useful guide for frugal inebriation. (Self-mix is per directions @ 4oz margarita mix per 1.5oz tequila. Prices are as observed at Costco, Southwest Denver location.)
| Product | Price | $/oz | $/Drink | Alcohol %/vol | Alcohol oz/Drink | Alcohol $/Oz |
| 1.75L Margarita with "Gold" Tequila 12.9% alc | $9.99 | $0.17 | $0.93 | 12.9% | 0.71 | $1.31 |
| 1.75L Cuervo Gold 40% alc | $24.99 | $0.42 | $0.87 | 10.91% | 0.60 | $1.45 |
| 1.75L Kirkland Silver Tequila 40% alc | $18.99 | $0.32 | $0.72 | 10.91% | 0.60 | $1.20 |
| 1.0L Kirkland Anejo Gold Tequila 40% alc | $21.99 | $0.65 | $1.21 | 10.91% | 0.60 | $2.02 |
| 3.5L Kirkland Margarita Mix | $6.99 | $0.06 |
As we can see from the table, pure economy may lead one to choose self-mixing with Kirkland "Silver" tequila. This provides a margarita that costs $0.72, or $1.20 per ounce of pure alcohol.
Interestingly, the best choice involving "gold" tequila would be the pre-mixed option, at $0.93/margarita, but $1.31 per ounce of pure alcohol consumed (what's drinking for, anyway?)
If, however, one wishes to still drink "gold" tequila, but wishes a lower price per margarita, rather than lower price per ounce of alcohol consumed, the best option may be to use Cuervo Gold tequila, at a price of $0.87 per margarita, though that will cost $1.45 per ounce of pure alcohol consumed.
Finally, if one wishes to savor the most luxurious experience, damn the price, one may wish to consume the option including Costco's Kirkland Anejo Gold Tequila, at a cost of $1.21 per drink, and a whopping $2.02 per ounce of pure alcohol consumed.
Copious amounts of tequila were consumed during the process of collecting and processing these valuable data points. I hope they prove useful for your margarita consumption endeavors.
Sincerely,
What's the frequency, Kenneth?
Author
