I tried a $100 margarita, and it's ruined all other cocktails for me

Over the last two years, I've been sharing the cocktails I've whipped up at home to help get you through the pandemic (and all those Zooms). But now much of the world has opened up, it's time for us to go behind the bar — and really have some fun.

This week our journey begins at Providence, a two-star Michelin restaurant in Los Angeles with a $100 margarita on its menu.

No, that's not a typo.

So, what makes The $100 Margarita so special and is it really worth that hefty price tag? Well, there's only one way to find out.

Providence is one of just 16 restaurants in California with two Michelin stars, an honor it's held onto over the last decade.

The restaurant is run by Michael Cimarusti, a James Beard award-winning chef who has made it his mission to bring sustainable seafood to the world of fine-dining.

In addition to winning plenty of praise and culinary accolades, Providence has become a dining destination for Hollywood stars. And while the restaurant won't spill the names of its most famous guests, fans have spotted the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West walking through its doors.

Stodel — the bar director at Providence — has an evolving menu of luxurious cocktails that still honor the restaurant's sustainable ethos. He breathes new life into leftover kitchen ingredients, transforming them into unique infusions and garnishes. One chef's scraps is another bartender's treasure.

But Stodel also wants to bring plenty of fun to his bar, which is why he recently launched a tableside cocktail program that features one-of-a-kind drinks — including The $100 Margarita.

As he whipped up the bright-green drink, Stodel explained how his cocktail incorporates the leftover shells of snap peas that get shucked for a dish on Chef Michael's menu.

The shells had since been seasoned with citrus and sugar and mixed with gin and mead, a wine made from honey. The $18 drink — appropriately called primavera — was deliciously fresh and subtle, immediately reminding me of spring.

Sitting at the center of The $100 Margarita is a shimmering diamond-shaped ice cube, which Stodel expertly carves by hand in front of his guests. When I asked why Stodel chose to make a diamond the centerpiece of Providence's $100 margarita, he explained that the purpose of his tableside cocktail program was to bring exclusive ingredients to diners in a way they had never experienced.

"We wanted to go to the table and be closer to people and break that barrier after COVID because we'd all been isolated for so long," Stodel said. "And introduce them to high-quality spirits that maybe they've never had before. That was the idea behind it. Let's make the best version of classic cocktails that we can, let's make the best version of a margarita that we can."

"And where else in town can you get a piece of ice shaped like a diamond?" he added. "If someone is going to spend more money on a cocktail, let's give them something to remember — like a gem."

Providence's dining room really took my breath away.

From the chandelier that drapes across the ceiling to the soothing blue hues on the walls, everything felt so serene and calm.

Stodel began by rubbing a freshly-cut lime over the rim of my glass, which he then dipped into a plate of glistening molten salt.

He asked if I preferred my margaritas sweet, dry, or in the middle, explaining that this would determine how much agave he puts in the cocktail (it's always gotta be sweet for me).

Stodel then poured fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker, along with the agave syrup and some fresh strawberries.

Providence's $100 Margarita features Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire, a French cognac blended with orange liqueur, and Casa Dragones, a premium Mexican tequila brand founded by Bertha González Nieves — who Stodel told me was the first woman to be certified as "Maestra Tequilera" by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila.

"What makes this tequila so unique is that it's made in very small batches," Stodel said. "It uses innovative techniques to make a really bright, beautiful tequila. It's a blanco that's been expertly blended, and it's just really delicious."

While Casa Dragones is labeled a "sipping tequila," Stodel believes there's a place for premium spirits in the world of cocktails.

"When you use good ingredients, you get excellent results," he said. "Some people would never encounter these spirits were there not this special experience that we're creating. It's time to throw caution to the wind and enjoy life."

"We need some jewelry," Stodel said as he began expertly carving the big block of ice with a knife. "We're going to cut a nice piece of ice, just for you."

In just a matter of seconds, the block had transformed into a beautiful, sparkling diamond.

Stodel delicately placed a few edible alyssum flowers — which are grown and picked from Providence's rooftop garden — right on top of the diamond ice cube. It brought the eye right to the top of the diamond, making everything feel all the more luxurious. My cocktail was ready.

"You've probably heard of a Cadillac margarita," Stodel said as he slid the drink to me. "This is more of a Ferrari margarita."

The gorgeous peach color completely took me by surprise with its bright and lush hue. I wrote in my notes that it was one of the most gorgeous colors I'd ever seen in a cocktail — miles away from the artificial neon shades so frequently associated with cheap margaritas.

Providence's $100 Margarita immediately transported me to that feeling you get when a relaxing vacation is about to begin and the only things on your to-do list are eat, drink, and swim.

The margarita truly tastes like a holiday in a cocktail glass. It was refreshing and light, almost reminding me of watermelon. There's a subtle sweetness from the strawberries and orange liqueur, but a smooth brightness from the tequila that made each sip go down like juice. Even the molten salt that I licked from the rim felt more luxurious.

"I wish margaritas tasted like this every day," I told Stodel, savoring every last drop.

It's been so long since we've had the chance to witness firsthand the love that chefs and bartenders infuse into their creations. And Stodel's passion is clear from the moment he steps behind his cart to whip up The $100 Margarita.

There are plenty of restaurants creating uber-expensive dishes and drinks in the hopes of going viral or getting Instagram clicks, but Providence's $100 Margarita isn't a gimmick. In fact, it's the most delicious cocktail I've ever had — and it's hard to put a price tag on that.

What will the next bar bring to our Happy Hour series? Guess you better stick around and see!