The Del Charro margarita; photo by John Shabe

Margaritas were seemingly everywhere during a recent trip to Santa Fe, N.M. and environs –– and my wife and I did our best to try them all.

We stuck to the traditional recipe of  triple sec, lime and a little sugar. Frozen strawberry margaritas and their sickly sweet cousins are fare for Chili’s rather than the land of chiles and were not allowed. I took mine salted, the missus without.

Here’s our unscientific take on these lovely ‘Ritas, with points for flavor, ambiance and that otherworldly mystical quality that seems to steep many New Mexican locations.

The clubby Del Charro Saloon at the Inn of the Governors is about two blocks from Santa Fe’s Plaza. Settle into a leather wing chair near the fireplace and order one of the bar’s signature margaritas: Smooth, well-balanced, just enough lime, it was my favorite.

The best part? The bartender gives you the shaker along with your cocktail, so there’s easily enough for a refill and then some. A great drink and a great value for $9.50. ‘Rita Rating: Four shakes

Locals flock to Maria’s, a no-nonsense restaurant well out of Santa Fe’s tourist center for fantastic New Mexican-style comfort food. While you’re waiting for your table, order from Maria’s 100-margarita menu.

Touted as a “real margarita” made with “real tequila” and “real triple sec,” mine just didn’t do it for me. It tasted medicinal with too much bite. Rather than use lime, Maria’s makes its margaritas with lemon juice, which could have been the culprit. ‘Rita Rating: One shake

The Bell Tower bar; photo courtesy of La Fonda hotel

Five stories above Santa Fe’s Plaza, the Bell Tower Bar atop the historic La Fonda hotel delivers the best views in Santa Fe and one of the better margaritas around. People fill the Bell Tower’s roof deck every evening to watch the sun set, but why wait when you’re thirsty?

The Bell Tower’s margarita goes down nicely in the afternoon sun with the gratis bar kibble. You taste the tequila here, and for $10-a-’Rita, you’d better. If you miss The Bell Tower (it’s only open in the afternoons until sunset, April through October), you can score a margarita at the Fiesta Lounge in La Fonda’s lobby. ‘Rita Rating: Three shakes

Outside of Santa Fe, we continued our sipping tour, with a stop at The Adobe Bar at The Taos Inn. The Adobe Classic margarita, one of 14 choices, is made with Jose Cuervo Gold, but was just OK. It did get points for being the only version served in an iconic cobalt blue-rimmed glass. ‘Rita Rating: Two shakes

In San Antonio, N.M., a small town about three hours south of Santa Fe, we paired our margarita tastings with an exploration of another Southwestern staple: the green chili cheeseburger.

The Buckhorn Tavern scored in the food department, but its rival The Owl Bar had us at first sip: The taste was  multi-layered and flavorful, served in a no-nonsense, frosted highball. ‘Rita Rating: Two shakes

Finally, The Mine Shaft Tavern –– situated in Madrid (say it MAH-drid), a mining town-turned artist enclave on the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe –– offers a good base ‘Rita for just $3. But you probably would do better to upgrade to a premium one made with Sauza tequila and Cointreau.  ‘Rita Rating: Two shakes