Thursday, May 7, 2009

Margarita Perfecta

Cinco de Mayo is coming up and what better way to celebrate Mexico’s culture and heritage than mix up a batch of margs and get sloppy? But hold your horses there, Paco. Before we make the perfect margarita we must explore this green ambrosia in depth. What’s the difference between a good margarita and a great one? Frozen or on the rocks? Salt or not? A few pitchers of terrific margarita can elevate any ordinary party, bar night, or day at the beach to a night of mythic proportions and even get you laid. So pay attention and take notes. No siestas allowed!

A good margarita is balanced. Sweet, tangy and strong, the most famous tequila cocktail is supposed to mimic the way you take a tequila shot. And we know you’ve had your fair share of those. Lick the salt, down the shot, chase with lime. So a good margarita will have a lightly salted rim, a strong tequila flavor but also be sweet with a good kick from the lime. A good margarita should also be frozen. This elevates it to more than a cocktail. A frozen margarita is a party starter in a glass, so put away the martini shaker and pull out that big blender because you’re about to become the marg master.

You will need:

2 cups Reposado or Anjeo tequila

2 cups triple sec

2 cups fresh squeezed lime juice plus the zest of two limes

Quarter cup powdered sugar

Half a Tecate beer

A bunch of ice

Quarter cup sea salt

In your blender combine the tequila, triple sec, lime juice and zest, sugar and beer. Down the other half of the beer to get a little head start on everyone else. Fill the rest of the blender with ice and blend on medium speed until smooth. With one of your juiced limes, rub the rim of a few big, fishbowl style glasses and dip them in the salt spread out on a plate. Fill the glasses and garnish with a slice of lime.

Enjoy your new margaritas at a Cinco de Mayo party or all summer long on the beach, but keep these few things in mind. Reposado or Anejo tequilas are aged slightly improving their flavor. You’ll be able to tell if you skimp on this. Squeeze the lime juice fresh and brag about it a little while you tell everybody that, “The secret to a good margarita is the fresh squeezed lime juice,” when you’ll really know it’s the powdered sugar and beer that kick up the flavor and texture of your new party starter.

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