Having spent almost 12 years in southern California, I’ve had my fair share of Mexican food and became quite the margarita connoisseur. Since moving to Indianapolis, I’ve had to adopt the margarita as my signature summer cocktail because something about snow and margaritas doesn’t quite mix. As soon as the temperatures reach 60 degrees and there is the tiniest ray of sun, you’ll find me on the back patio with a margarita in hand. A good margarita lets the tequila flavor shine and has lots of fresh lime juice-no sickening sweet mixers for this gal! In my opinion, a good margarita should be three things- simple, clean, and refreshing. Worried margaritas are too indulgent for a regular cocktail? Don’t worry, I got you covered with a light margarita recipe that is equally as fabulous as the real thing!
Simple Margarita:
Ingredients:
3 ounces tequila (I prefer Casamigos or patron silver)
2 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice (must be fresh real lime juice!)
1 ounce orange liquor (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec)
1 ounce simple syrup (recipe below)
Coarse salt for the rim (I prefer Kosher)
Simple Syrup:
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
(Put the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Stir constantly. Extra syrup keeps in the fridge for several weeks)
Recipe:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then add the tequila, lime juice, orange liquor, and simple syrup. Shake until mixed and very cold. Put salt on a plate, rub the rim of the glass with a lime, and then lightly press the glass at a 45-degree angle into the salt. Fill the glass with ice and pour the drink over the ice.
Light Margarita
Ingredients:
3 ounces tequila (I prefer Casamigos or Patron Silver)
2-3 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice (must be fresh real lime juice!)
1 ounce of fresh-squeezed orange juice
1-2 ounces of lime-flavored soda water (less for a stronger flavor and more to add volume)
1-2 teaspoons of agave syrup
Coarse salt for the rim (I prefer Kosher)
Recipe:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup. Shake until mixed and very cold. Put salt on a plate, rub the rim of the glass with a lime, and then lightly press the glass at a 45-degree angle into the salt. Fill the glass with ice, pour the drink over the ice, and then lightly stir the soda water in.
