Top Off Summer With Margaritas (Three Ways)
Photo by Taylor Simpson
by MADELINE FERGUSON
A margarita might be summer’s perfect cocktail. While it may not end up on New York Times’ drink of the summer list, it’s a classic that will never disappoint.
But if you think the margarita can’t be updated to be more trendy, you’re wrong. This article features three leveled-up margarita recipes.
But first, let’s talk about some things to make your classic margarita a show stopper. There are a few rules one must follow to make a superb margarita and the most important is ALWAYS SQUEEZE FRESH CITRUS. I cannot stress this enough, it will make all the difference in how your drink tastes.
Another tip I learned is to keep things simple and drop the triple sec (an orange-flavored liquor) instead along with your fresh lime juice squeeze and use the juice of half an orange. This step also helps eliminate the need to use a sweetener like simple syrup, unless you like them extra sweet, feel free to add sweetener to taste. Agave is my preferred method of sweetening a marg.
As we get into three different margarita recipes keep in mind that varying the type of salt you use on the rim can really change the entire experience. Any of the salt variations listed below can be used on a classic marg to change things up.
The Sweet Summertime Margarita (Watermelon Variation)
What you’ll need:
Watermelon
Limes
Silver Tequila
Coarse Sea Salt
Chile Powder
For this recipe, it is easiest to make a mix because it requires a blender.
First, blend up about half a watermelon and the juice of about six limes (depending on your taste for tart), and a splash of water. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
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Next, mix a little lime juice, salt and chili powder on a plate. Dip your glass in lime juice and then the salt mixture. Add a generous amount of ice to your glass.
Finally, assemble your drink. Add 1.5 oz of tequila and fill the glass the rest of the way with your watermelon mixture.
Enjoy!
The Spicy Marg
Limes
Jalapenos
Orange
Blanco Tequila
Tajin
Coconut Water
For one cocktail muddle half of a chopped jalapeno in an ounce of lime juice and ½ ounce of orange juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake shake shake.
Rim your glass with Tajin and lime juice. Fill with ice. Add 1.5 ounces of blanco tequila and strain your lime jalapeno mixture into the glass. Top any leftover space with coconut water (here’s my favorite). Enjoy!
If you prefer a sweeter drink, feel free to add agave to your liking.
Italian Margarita
LImes
Lemon
Blanco Tequila
Limoncello
Club soda
Coarse Sugar
For this one, you can do all the mixing in one glass. First, rim your glass with coarse sugar and fill with ice.
Add 1 ounce of blanco tequila, the juice of one fresh lime, the juice of half a lemon, 1 ounce of limoncello liqueur and top with club soda. Use simple syrup if you’d like a sweeter drink, but the limoncello is fairly sweet on its own.
I hope you enjoy this refreshing summer treat, I know I have been enjoying them in my backyard this HOT HOT summer.
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