Do you prefer sweet or sour Margaritas? Salt or no salt on the glass? Ice or no ice? It is amazing how many margarita recipes there are for you to choose from and all the different ways to mix them. I love crushed ice in my drinks and use Vodka instead of Tequila or do not add any liquor at all. I know it sounds crazy but Tequila is not my friend and vodka works surprisingly well.
Below are two different recipes you can easily make at home. Recipe 1 is more sweet and Recipe 2 from Kellie Thorn has more lime and tequila. You can choose the one you will love the most. Or, you can make a batch of both especially if you are having people over. Your guests will thank you for it.
Taste of Atlanta rated Kellie Thorn, bar manager of Empire State South the best bartender in Atlanta for 2012. I figured it was a long shot that she would share her margarita recipe with me but she graciously agreed. I know you will be very excited to have her recipe too.
If you live in Atlanta, I highly recommend you go to Empire State South and enjoy the real thing sitting at the gorgeous bar. You can even play some bocci ball while sipping on a cocktail waiting for your table. The food is absolutely amazing. Try the Smoked Duck breast with english pea puree, farro, foraged mushroom, collards, and spring onions.
Since it is Cinco de Mayo, most people will be indulging in a margarita or two or three. Make it a good one and use top shelf, agave tequila. Your body will thank you for it the next day!
Orange juice sweetens the flavor as well as adds a pretty orange coloring to the margarita. Recipe 1 has plenty of orange juice and lime simple syrup. Add more lime if it is too sweet.
The key to making a good margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice that has sat for 4 hours so plan ahead. A study was done my some bartenders and they were shocked that almost everyone prefered the taste of the one that rested for 4 hours. They also found hand squeezed tasted better than a machine squeezing the limes. I cannot believe the tasters could tell the difference on how the citrus is squeezed.
Adding salt to your rim is so easy to do. Slice a lime, run the lime around the outside edge of the glass and then gently place the glass on a plate with about 1/4 cup of salt. Himalayan salt is naturally pink and looks beautiful on the glass. If you do not have Margarita Himalayan Pink salt, use a high quality sea salt. It does make a difference in how your drink tastes.
If you have an excellent Margarita recipe you would like to share, feel free to post it in the comment section. I think everyone will appreciate it!
Yesterday I served my margaritas at Atlanta MADE and loved seeing everyone try my sweet margaritas for the first time. Some really wanted a second since they rarely taste a margarita with freshly squeezed lime juice and homemade lime syrup. I was amazed at the amount of people who wanted to buy the lime simple syrup to make margaritas at home.
If you want to order some freshly made lime syrup or some freshly made salt, please email me. I only use spring water, organic cane sugar, and freshly grated organic lime zest. No preservatives or additives ever and the syrup is sold in a freezer safe mason jar to be able to enjoy all summer.
Thank you to all who came to support me yesterday. I agree the Himalayan Margarita salt makes a huge difference and perfectly compliments the fresh margaritas! All you need is this view and some of your best friends and the day would be absolutely perfect.
The Ultimate Cookbook Note: If you love margaritas, try tequila with this authentic, spicy chaser ? the preferred cocktail in Mexico. And please, make it rather than buy it.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
