Have a refreshing margarita to kick off the week and celebrate National Margarita Day. If there’s any time we need a good cocktail, it’s now. Some love the traditional tequila, lime juice and Cointreau or Triple Sec recipe, and some prefer the foofy fruit flavors. Read on for my favorite recipes. You don’t have to be a mixologist to make them.
Do you know where National Margarita Day originated? Todd McCalla, a commercial real estate industry executive made it up about a decade ago. He’s a margarita fan, but not of the low quality mixes and high-fructose corn syrup that end up in many of them. He also believes a margarita can brighten up this gray time of year. The day even has its own website. He also invented National Drink Wine Day, which I’m sad I missed celebrating last Thursday (Feb. 18).
Do you know where the margarita originated? One fun story has roots in my hometown. Some say wealthy Dallas socialite Margarita Sames first made the cocktail in 1948 for her friends at her Acapulco vacation home. The story says Tommy Hilton was a guest and added the drink to his hotel chain’s bar menu.
If you’ve read my two romantic suspense novels Becker Circle, and Dark Energy: Return to Becker Circle, you know Gillian, the heroine, tended bar in her neighborhood pub and worked her way to manager. These are tasty margarita recipes she might make at home or in the bar.
Addison’s college frozen Margarita
This recipe was my never-fail mix through my college and early working days. It’s not terribly expensive, is always tasty, and makes plenty to share. They are so smooth people who are not big margarita fans like this recipe.
6 oz frozen limeade mix
6 oz Squirt soda (Squirt is grapefruit-flavored. If unavailable in your area, use lemon-lime Slice or Sprite)
6 oz tequila (a mid-priced 100% Agave works)
Ice to fill blender
Pour first three ingredients in a blender. Fill the rest with ice. Blend until smooth when ice is no longer chunky. Dip glass rims in lime juice and sea salt. Garnish with a lime slice or wedge. Makes about six cocktails.
Margarita on the rocks
1 1/2 oz tequila (a mid-priced white tequila 100% Agave should work)
1/2 oz triple sec (Grand Marnier orange liqueur)
1 1/2 oz margarita mix (read the label for natural ingredients)
Juice from 1 lime wedge
Dip the glass rim in lime juice and sea salt. Pour over ice in a low ball glass, garnish with a lime slice and enjoy.
Fire up the blender and enjoy!
