Some internet trends take a little longer to make their way to the area than others, but Tacos Rock in Gulf Breeze is leading the way locally with its viral soft-serve margaritas.
The TikTok treat captures the essence of a fruity margarita, fused with the rich, creamy consistency of soft-serve ice cream, served swirled to nostalgic perfection.
After viewing an online video of the famed treat, the Tacos Rock team was determined to recreate it for the restaurant, drawing in many new customers eager to try it.
“It’s not like your typical frozen margarita,” said Hector Chavez Jr., whose family owns the restaurant at 913 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Unit 20.
While reminiscent of a bowl of ice cream, these treats pack a punch. They are blended with tequila and feature fruit flavors, Chamoy drizzle, a spiced Tajín rim and a fresh fruit garnish.
“It’s strong. People love it,” Chavez Jr. added.
You start with a shovel-like spoon, scooping up bites of the creamy custard mixture, then switch to a straw as it begins to melt.
Tacos Rock began selling the treats in May and has since created quite a loyal following, racking up thousands of views on its social media videos.
“We actually have a lot of views right now on them, and a lot of people have been discovering us this way because of the soft-serve margaritas, which is really great because my parents have been in business for about 10 years now, almost 10 years, but my family has been in the industry since 1997. My grandfather opened Taco Rock (29) on Highway 29,” Chavez Jr. said. “I think the soft-serve margaritas have been helping us a lot, finding new customers. We’re really grateful for it.”
What flavors does Tacos Rock offer?
Tacos Rock regularly offers pineapple, strawberry and swirl (a mix of mango and strawberry), according to Chavez Jr. However, the restaurant is planning to offer different flavors every few months. Despite how trends come and go, the soft-serve margaritas are here to stay.
What comes inside Tacos Rock’s soft-serve margarita?
The Tacos Rock version of the soft-serve margarita blends tequila and fruit purees. While it has the texture of soft serve, no ice cream or custard is used to make the treat.
How have soft-serve margaritas picked up steam in the United States
The latest soft-serve margarita obsession took off after videos of the drinks went viral, including clips of treats from La Playa Mexican Restaurant & Mariscos in Cleveland, Ohio. People started uploading videos of their treats, showing colorful soft-serve twists on ice cream and alcoholic mixtures in giant margarita glasses, and getting hundreds of thousands of likes.
Social media hunts for soft-serve margaritas
Videos of the soft-serve margaritas have gained traction on social media. Beyond videos of people filming themselves trying the trendy treat, videos asking where to find the soft serve in cities across the United States are popping up on social media, racking up thousands of views and comments as people try to find the answer.
Social media users have put out calls on platforms in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, and more, most lamenting the distance to a soft-serve margarita.
How to make a soft serve margarita at home
Some soft-serve margarita fans are opting to make the treat at home using ice cream or a churning machine that gets cold enough to achieve the same effect.
One soft serve margarita recipe posted by Ninja Kitchen, which also created the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker, calls for ingredients like lime juice, orange liqueur, tequila and a sweetener of the user’s choice. After blending those ingredients together with ice until the mixture is smooth, users can pour it into a Ninja CREAMi and it will mix it on its own to make soft serve.
Other posts on social media include similar recipes that also use sugar, heavy cream, salt, whole milk, lime zest and water, with those ingredients also needing to be mixed and run through an ice cream maker to achieve the soft serve texture and consistency.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Viral soft serve margaritas arrive in Gulf Breeze
Reporting by Brittany Misencik and Kate Perez, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brittany Misencik and Kate Perez, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
