Celebrate National Margarita Day :: Recipe Roundup
November 22nd marks National Margarita Day, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate Hump Day! This cocktail is made with triple sec, tequila and lime or lemon juice. and is often served with salt on the rim. (I prefer it without the salt!) There are different ways to serve the drink, shaken and poured over ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen), or without ice (straight up). Over the past few years the Margarita has enjoyed a new-found popularity with a variety of flavors, many quite sophisticated. Although traditionally these drinks come served in a margarita glass, as the cocktail becomes more sophisticated they are served in a wide variety of glass types. Serving them in Old Fashioneds or Double Old Fashioneds has become quite commonplace.
I have recently acquired a taste for this cocktail and have come to love those that aren't sickly sweet, with a kick and a bit of heat. I prefer mine with a slice or two of gently muddled jalapeno. Sometimes I'll add some freshly squeezed grapefruit of blood orange juice. As the drink gains popularity among mixologists, there are all sorts of alternate ways to craft these cocktails. Below are just a few ideas including how to set up your own Margarita Bar. Click on the credit links for the full recipes.
Maybe you'd like to have a Margarita Bar and invite your friends over to create their own. Below are some ideas and ingredients to get you started:
How to set up a Margarita Bar
To make a margarita bar you’ll need:
Glasses, an assortment of old fashioneds will do. Don't worry about them all matching. The fact that many of them differ is often part of the char.
Assorted juices in carafes such as blood orange, watermelon, grapefruit, pineapple, lemonade
Lots of Ice cubes
Fresh fruit for garnish including (but not limited to) limes, pineapple chunks, raspberries, watermelon
Simple syrup or Agave
Triple sec or Grand Marnier
A good tequila such as Don Julio - Talk to your liquor store about finding the best within your budget
Kosher salt for the rim of the glass, optional
Happy Margarita Day!