Click to enlarge: Mr. Bad Juan
Hey Gringo, looking to tie one on during the holidays? Then take a sip of a true Food Adventure in a glass. Oh yes, the legendary Bad Juan margarita served exclusively at Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantinas around town. Whether on the rocks or frozen, salt or no-salt, every Daytonian has a “Bad Juan” story about themselves or a friend. The Food Adventures Crew are no different. We have had to push stumbling pals into backseats of cars, or help lift some hotties into the back of an SUV after a couple of these drinks. We have felt the wrath of Juan ourselves, having numb lips and the buzz that suddenly creeps up on you with this devilish drink.
Let’s be candid, Bad Juans are a Dayton icon. This badass drink even has its own website, badjuan.com. Here is some more on the man, the myth, the legend.. BAD JUAN !
HERE’S THE SKINNY:
— Since 1981, Bad Juans have been served frozen or on the rocks. They also come in a few flavor variations, but the original Bad Juan remains the most popular.
Elsa’s has various locations in Centerville, Kettering and Dayton
— Rumors have swirled about the ingredients. People have been trying to figure out the recipe for years. Food Adventures believes they have some inside scoop on the recipe, and although we can’t post it here, we can give you some info. Our inside source tells us that the Bad Juan is made up of only 3 secret ingredients: Triple Sec, Tequila and Lime Juice. We cannot tell you the brands used or the amounts. We can, however, confirm that Mountain Dew is NOT an ingredient, so lets finally put that rumor to bed.
— We believe the secret to the great taste is not only in the ingredients, but in the preparation. The Bad Juan’s are constantly mixed in those plastic, see-through drink machines you are used to seeing at convenient stores or food counters. The thorough mixing of ingredients in these machines blend the drink into that perfect drunken mixture.
— Elsa’s does limit the amount of Bad Juans that a customer can consume (usually 2 or 3 depending on your server). However, urban legends and tall tales have surfaced about people drinking a couple mini pitchers of Bad Juans, or somehow downing a half dozen of them unbeknownst to their waiter or waitress.
— You can even buy them by the bottle in liquor stores from as far away as Covington, Kentucky’s famous Party Source store. The bottled drink is 21 percent alcohol, or 42 proof. We believe that the in-house version mixed at the restaurants is a little higher than that. Heidelberg Distributors stats confirm that Bad Juans hold the all-time distributor record for the fastest selling new product.
Blue Juan – Tasty Twist on an Iconic Drink
MUST DRINKS:
— BAD JUAN on THE ROCKS: Simple, pure and lethal. This is for the heavy hitters who like to get down to business and gulp ’em down. They are however served with a tiny straw and a lime wedge for those who like to sip these slowly and savor the experience.
— FROZEN BAD JUAN: The chilled, traditional version of the legend are just as strong as the ones on the rocks. Served with a lime, it is curiously tasty when the mixture begins to melt. If you drink these too fast, beware of ‘brain freeze’ or a condition known as drunky pants.
— STRAWBERRY FROZEN BAD JUAN: Not big on tequila or margaritas? This flavored Bad Juan masks the alcohol taste, and is probably our favorite version of the iconic drink. Give it a try, we bet you like it! It is also available on the rocks for you purists.
Strawberry Frozen Bad Juan – Delicious !
— BLUE JUAN: This holiday season is a good time to give one of these a try. You may have a blue Christmas without it. It has a great taste and is available on the rocks only.
Honorable Mention: The Raspberry Bad Juan, the Watermelon Bad Juan and the calorie conscious “Skinny Juan”
Miami Valley residents have long debated whether Bad Juans are better frozen or on the rocks. For the most part, guys tend to have them on the rocks, while girls seem to prefer the frozen margaritas. But we say…. hell, try them all and get a designated driver.
DO YOU HAVE A GOD BAD JUAN STORY?? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW! Have an opinion on Bad Juan? Be heard and post it below !
After more than 30 years Elsa’s is still having fun, and this drink is “Still the Juan.”
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Don’t forget to browse our photo album below for some incredible pics of Dayton’s legendary drink !
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One of my funnier Bad Juan stories. I was @ Elsa’s on Linden enjoying a Bad Juan and the girl next to me tells the guy she is with that she is going to go smoke. She goes outside and the girl I’m meeting comes in and says there is a girl out front sitting in the snow smoking a cigarette.she asked her if she needed help and the girl says no I just needed to sit down. A couple of minutes later the girl comes back in and continues her conversation like it was just an ordinary day.lol
We used to go to Elsa’s frequently many years ago when we lived in OH. We got to know the staff well and the recipe was divulged – it is equal parts gold tequila, triple sec and Rose’s lime juice – make in a pitcher, stir well and serve over lot’s of ice! We vouch for the accuracy of this recipe having had our share at Elsa’s and at home!
That’s incorrect Carol, on all counts. I’ve been making them for years at home. Can’t give it up though, sry.
Really MT?
That is what we were told by a waitress who waited on us alot! But that was a long time ago – maybe the recipe changed?
The long standing manager (33 years) John Michael Carr (same name as my husband) used to sell us gallon jugs of them for $40 in the parking lot! Great guy – may he rest in peace.
MT – now you have me curious as to the recipe you have?!