Carol’s Fresh Margarita

I blew out my flip flop,
Stepped on a pop top,
Cut my heel, had to cruise
on back home.
But there’s booze in the blender,
And soon it will
render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.

From “Margaritaville”  lyrics by Jimmy Buffet

I love a good margarita, even a marginal one.  Since the 80’s, I’ve experimented with all manner of recipes, including one that used an egg white (very frothy drink).  Everyone’s an afficianado.  Claims are made as to the best tequila to use (white, golden, black, agave, mezcal), if Cointreau or triple sec imparts the right taste, if simple syrup or any kind of sugar should be used, and whether anything with fruit is really a margarita at all.  Lime is the only thing everyone can agree on.

Classic margaritas don’t use fruit or sweetner–just triple sec, tequila, and lime.  When I was younger and drank tequila by the shot, I preferrred a non-sweet margarita. However, today, in my dotage, I find the classic margarita to be a bit bitter, so I add simple syrup.  I also add fruit, if the mood strikes me, which it does often.  A plain white tequila of good quality (like Cuervo Silver) is adequate and doesn’t compete for attention.  As for Cointreau vs. triple sec.  Either is fine.  I generally use triple sec because Cointreau is mucho expensive.  The following recipe is simple and satisfies my taste for liquid cactus.

Carol’s Fresh Margarita  (Makes about 2 drinks, give or take)

Ice

2 oz. white tequila

1-2 oz. triple sec

1/2-1 oz. simple syrup, depending on the sweetness level you prefer (1 cup sugar dissolved into 1 cup boiling water–then chill)

3/4 – 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

On the rocks:  Add ingredients to shaker full of ice, shake vigorously, and pour into rock glass (or jelly jar).

Frozen (Blended):  Fill blender half to 2/3 full of ice.  Add ingredients.  Blend until smooth.  If you think you need more ice, you probably do.  Add more and blend again.

Variations:  Add 1 oz. of Amaretto to make an Italian Margarita.  Cut out the simple syrup, as the Amaretto is very sweet.

(for the blender ,only).  Add 6 large strawberries, or 1 cut up mango, or 2-3 kiwis, or 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries, or other fruit.  Blend until smooth.  Add more ice and blend again, if necessary.