Any True Blood fans out there? It’s an HBO series set in the heart of Louisiana. A synthetic blood has been created, and vampires have been able to “come out of the coffin”, as it were, and live among us. Where there’s one, there is usually more, and lots of other supernatural characters have been introduced – werewolves, shape shifters, ancient fire gods. In a world full of junky, reality TV – it’s nice to have a television program that’s still scripted! This past Sunday was the Season 5 finale, and it didn’t disappoint.
My favorite character, Lafayette – who is a gay Voodoo priest/medium, in addition to a line cook, made some delectable looking Cajun Margaritas for the waitresses after their shift ended. I love margaritas, and I love the flavors and feelings that go along with anything Cajun. I couldn’t wait to make them! Most recipes I found online simply called for the addition of hot sauce to make it Cajun, but that just sounded lame. Then, I remembered the strawberry-infused vodka I had made earlier in the year. Why not do the same with chile peppers and tequila?
It’s an extra step that takes a day or so, but man oh man. It’s so amazing how liquor can leech all the qualities from something into itself. After only an overnight soaking of jalapenos and serranos in a Mason jar full of tequila, it had a lot of heat to it. We’ve made a Habenero IPA before, that we really liked. It’s so wild to take a drink, and feel the heat in your blood. This margarita gives it to you!
I’ve never been a blended marg gal, but I liked it here. Almost like a fire & ice thing going on. Jon and I both really enjoyed them, he drank virtually the whole pitcher. Which, isn’t like him – he’s a beer guy. So, if you’re looking for something a little bit different to go on this long weekend’s menu, add these to the menu. A little heat to close out this last week of summer!
Lafayette’s Cajun Margaritas
4 oz. chile-infused tequila (optional)
3 oz. orange liqueur
3 oz. margarita mix
1 tsp. hot sauce
2 cups ice
chile peppers and lime slices, for garnish
salt
For the chile-infused tequila:
5 jalapeno peppers, halved
5 serrano peppers, halved
1 cup tequila
For the tequila, combine all ingredients in a jar or bowl. Cover, and let sit at room temperature overnight – or up to a week. When ready to use, strain into bottle or jar and keep in a cool, dark place.
To make the margaritas, combine the chile-infused tequila, orange liqueur, margarita mix, hot sauce, and ice in a blender. Cover, and puree for 1 minute, until no chunks of ice remain.
Rim margarita glasses with salt, and fill glasses with blended margaritas. Garnish with lime slices and a whole chile pepper.
14 Comments
How fun, I love the chile infusion!
I love this! I was totally craving a margarita after I watched that episode. Definitely need to make these soon!
I love Lafayette and this drink! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this post. Immediately after I saw Lafayette bring out those margaritas I thought, ‘I hope someone has a recipe for those!’ and now I’ve found it. Awesome : D
Thank you so much, I have been searching since the episode aired! Loving True Blood’s Lafayette, your site and on Friday I’ll be loving Lafayette’s Cajun Margaritas! Again, Thank you.
thanks SO much for the recipe, been lookin for it ever since the first words of CAJUN and MARGARITA were put together <33 NOTHING gets any lovlier !! THANKS
really liked the drink. featured on Friday Five – http://chefpeterskitchen.blogspot.com/2012/09/friday-five.html
Thanks for posting this, I was wanting one since I saw the episode. I am making these for the Superbowl.
As I recall, Arlene commented that the Cajun Margarita “tastes like candy.” That would not be the case with all the spicy ingredients, I would think.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and insightful comment.
Lafayette garnished the drink with a Habenero pepper – which totally indicates spicyness to me. Tabasco was obviously added to the drink to give it that orange hue, was another clue to the hint of heat. There’s plenty of sugar in the margarita mix, and I assure you the drink is sweet too. Something can be sweet and spicy at the same time, you know.
Lots of people refer to things that the enjoy as “candy”, I don’t think she meant it literally. I think she meant it as it was delicious, and she could find herself drinking more than one!
I agree with you as well. I was kinda sad to see that it was mostly spicy. Margarita mix is still more sour than sweet, in my opinion, so I was hoping for something fruitier with just a little spice to it. This recipe would be really fun though. considering Cinco de Mayo is coming up. Gonna recommend it to some friends.
I am going to try this this weekend…how did you get it so peach colored? Other than the 1tsp of Tabasco?
Just the Tabasco, Juli. It doesn’t add much in the way of heat – so don’t be afraid to add more than 1 tsp if you’re down with that!
Wow! Made it! So hot!!! I have to keep adding ice. And sure enough the color is exactly like the picture. I even got the sonic ice. Man, just like you said it’s hot, sweet spicy and icy
ALL at once! I love it when a recipe works out just like you hope! Thank you. Awesome recipe! Tonight was a dry run for a Cajun themed party we’re hosting next sat. Definitely made the cut!