While the Presidente always shakes the rhythm to a flavorful sip, Chili’s understands that margaritas can be transformed into many flavors. As many people have come to discover, the Margarita of the Month shows how that classic sour cocktail adapts to holidays, themes, and a variety of other ideas. With the new Chili’s Radical ‘Rita, that sip of 90s nostalgia rings a bell with flavor and a compelling visual.
The classic phrase, what is old is new again, applies time and again. People see it in fashion, music, and even food. From that ice box cake that grandma made to breaking out the neon colors and leg warmers, people often look back to get some inspiration for the here and now.
The 90s are having a moment across food and beverage genres. It is more than that Cosmo at brunch or the affinity for a favorite boy band. That sense of nostalgia creates a craving, and Chili’s is shaking up a new taste that satisfies.
As Jesse Johnson, Vice President of Marketing at Chili’s "At Chili’s, we are constantly challenging ourselves to push creative boundaries – whether that’s in the kitchen, in an advertising campaign, or in this case, behind the bar. We’ve taken a very on-trend flavor in Dragonfruit and are presenting it in a way our guests have never seen before through our $6 Margarita of the Month program - complete with a totally fresh ‘90s -style ad campaign.”
The Chili’s Radical ‘Rita captures that “max” moment. Although Tiffani Thiessen might have been sipping milkshakes at the diner, this time around she joins Chili’s to shake up a more potent potable.
Thiessen said,” Everyone knows me from my days on America’s favorite ‘90s sitcom, but what they might not know is that I also love a great margarita – and some of my favorite early memories with my husband were made at Chili’s. Chili’s really knows how to tap into the spirit of such an iconic decade - one I’m especially fond of - with their Radical ‘Rita.”
While the 90s style campaign is fun, the Radical ‘Rita adapts another cocktail trend to a larger scale audience. It is more than just a vibrant flavor and color. It captures the “play with your food” moment.
The layered margarita, made with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Monin Dragonfruit, a float of Blue Curaçao, House-Made Sour, can be swirled to create a whole new colorful sipper. With a twist of the swizzle stick, the blues and pinks turn into purple. It might not be as dramatic as some gin cocktails or something from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but it is fun to play.
Beyond the vibrant color changing visual, the flavor is delicious. Combining dragonfruit, Blue Caracao, and the classic Chili’s House-Made Sour hits the right balance of sweet and sour. It is not necessarily a total radical departure from the classic flavor, but it is enough of a twist that people will take notice.
In this case, Mr. Belding is saying “Go to Chili’s” and sip on the Radical ‘Rita. No need to put on that high school cheerleading outfit to be excited for this new cocktail. Everyone is good at sipping this new Chili’s margarita.