Everyone loves a great margarita! It’s been popular in the U.S. since the early 50’s, and there are a lot of opinions on what makes a great margarita.
A classic ‘rita is typically made with tequila, fresh lime, a touch of simple syrup or agave nectar, and triple sec or orange liqueur. Let’s review our options.
The Tequila choices are vast:
• Silver is ideal for a fresh, bright margarita or made with fresh fruits.
• Reposado is aged a minimum of 2 months – 12 months in wooden casks. This light aging process rounds out a few of the rough edges found in many unaged tequilas.
• Añejo is aged more than 1 year and wonderfully smooth. It’s best for sipping on their own, but use it in a margarita if you like or add it as a float for depth of flavor.
Margarita MUSTS include starting with a good tequila, using FRESH SQUEEZED lime juice, orange liqueur (triple sec, Grand Marnier, or Cointreau) or a squeeze of orange works great too. Now sweeten to taste with a touch simple syrup or agave nectar.
Some like salt rims; some do not. I’m 50/50 and like a half rim of salt (my preference being kosher). And of course, there are the “add-ins,” a splash of cranberry juice, pomegranate, fresh berries … the possibilities are endless!
Here is a basic margarita recipe you can get creative with:
Basic Margarita Recipe
Makes 1 cocktail
1 1/2 – 2 oz tequila of your choice
3/4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 – 3/4 oz simple syrup or agave nectar (thinned out a bit)
1/4 oz orange liqueur (triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier)
Build drink in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, cap and shake.
Pour into a glass, garnish with a lime wheel, and enjoy!
Looking to try something new? Shake up my recipe for Poppy’s Margarita – found in my Sips & Apps cookbook. Spicy cocktails are hot! The counterbalance of sweet, sour, spice, and salt achieves a mouthwatering result.
Cheers to a great margarita!
–Kathy
Poppy’s Margarita
Makes 1 drink
Kosher salt for rimming glass (optional)
Lime wedge
1 1/2 ounces Sauza gold tequila
1 1/2 ounces Spicy Chipotle-Lime Sour
1/4 ounce triple sec or other orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
For garnishing
Lime wheel with a straw inserted through the middle
If desired, rim an old-fashioned glass with kosher salt, and set aside.
Squeeze the lime wedge into a cocktail shaker and drop in. Fill the shaker with ice. Measure in the tequila, sour, and triple sec, if using. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into an old-fashioned or tall glass. Garnish as desired.
Spicy Chipotle-Lime Sour
Makes 3 cups, enough for about 16 drinks
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice
In a small saucepan, combine the chile powder, sugar, and water and bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Mix in the lime juice.
Transfer to a pretty bottle. Chill before using. The sour will keep for up to 2 weeks, refrigerated.
Recipe from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps
