Few things resemble relaxation like a margarita. I don’t know this for a fact but I think it’s safe to say a margarita is one of the most ordered drinks while on vacation or at a mexican restaurant. However, what about those times when you just feel like treating yourself to this delightful drink at the end of the day? It is easy to settle for the margarita mixer available at any liquor/convenience store, though in my mind it’s all crap. Crap flavor, crap for your body, and crap for the next morning when your body holds a grudge against your decisions. I am also a proponent of sticking it to the traditional-ish method, with just a couple of shortcuts.
A perfect margarita in my mind is acidic, but not to the point where my heart burns, and it should be on the rocks, not too sweet, and with a salted rim. I came up with this recipe on Cinco de Mayo – cliché I know.
What you’ll need:
- 1 lime per drink, maybe more if it isn’t a very juicy lime
- 2 shots of tequila, my favorite kind of quality, reasonably priced reposado tequila is Camarena
- 1 shot of grapefruit juice, my favorite brand for this is Trader Joe’s Rio Red Grapefruit Juice, it’s a bit more sweet than other grapefruit juices which off-sets the acidity of the lime and the tequila kick.
- Tajin, to rim the glass. This is one of the key ingredients. If you’ve never had Tajin before, it’s a tangy lime salt that is heavily used in Mexico – it’s addicting.
Tips
- Measurement is key – use a shot glass
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, make one out of two different size cups – it works just fine.
- 1 shot is 1.25 - 1.50 oz.
A perfect margarita in my mind is acidic, but not to the point where my heart burns, and it should be on the rocks, not too sweet, and with a salted rim. I came up with this recipe on Cinco de Mayo – cliché I know.
What you’ll need:
- 1 lime per drink, maybe more if it isn’t a very juicy lime
- 2 shots of tequila, my favorite kind of quality, reasonably priced reposado tequila is Camarena
- 1 shot of grapefruit juice, my favorite brand for this is Trader Joe’s Rio Red Grapefruit Juice, it’s a bit more sweet than other grapefruit juices which off-sets the acidity of the lime and the tequila kick.
- Tajin, to rim the glass. This is one of the key ingredients. If you’ve never had Tajin before, it’s a tangy lime salt that is heavily used in Mexico – it’s addicting.
Tips
- Measurement is key – use a shot glass
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, make one out of two different size cups – it works just fine.
- 1 shot is 1.25 - 1.50 oz.
- Fill your cocktail shaker (whatever it may be) up with ice, enough so it fills the cup you will be serving the drink in.
- Squeeze every drop juice out of lime into the base cup of your shaker.
- Measure out 2 shots of tequila and 1 shot of grapefruit juice and pour into your shaker.
- While the contents cool in the shaker, take the edge of a lime and rim the serving cup
- Pour a bit of tajin (or salt) in a dish, then dip the rim of the cup in the Tajin until the entire rim is coated.
- Top the cocktail shaker and lightly shake, you don’t want to break the ice in the process but you want to make sure the drink is well shaken.
- Then pop the top off of the shaker, pour the margarita into your salted cup and take a sip to make sure the proportions are right.
- Enjoy only if you are 21 years or older & do NOT drink and drive.