Fresh Cherry Margaritas

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It’s no secret that I’ve been kind of a lush when it comes to margaritas, or most mixed drinks (or craft beer) in general. But these cherry margaritas? They’ll blow your mind. Even my best girlfriend, who had sworn she didn’t like margaritas, changed her tune after trying one of these. And, now whenever she comes to visit – I’d better make sure I have some cherries on hand. Not that I don’t have them on hand this time of year anyway… But, I always manage to squeeze some manual labor out of her and make her muddle.

The muddling of the cherries brings out all their sweet juicy goodness, a splash of maraschino cherry juice to replace the dab of simple syrup, then mix it with a basic margarita mix and you’re all set. Be ready to receive plenty of compliments on your mixology! I’m making a gallon-sized jug to take to a campout/party on “The Sandbar” this weekend. It’s this little stretch of beach at the inlet to ocean, only accessible by boat of course. It’s the local spot for fun in the sun, and you can bring your dog – which is a huge plus for us.

This is the second annual campout now, and quite a few old friends are going. While we get out for an occasional dinner without the boys – I’m ready to get my dancing shoes on. Or, off actually, as we’ll be dancing in the sand. Fun stuff. I have a feeling that with these margaritas to share, I’ll make a few new friends too! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Fresh Cherry Margaritas

20 fresh cherries, pitted
3 ounces silver tequila
2 ounces orange liquer
1 ounce marashino cherry juice
4 ounces margarita mix
ice
kosher salt/granulated sugar for rim
lime wedges for garnish

Rim 2 glasses with salt/sugar mixture. Fill glasses with ice and set aside.

In the larger part of a cocktail shaker, muddle the cherries to a pulp. Add tequila, orange liquer, marashino juice, margarita mix, and a couple of ice cubes. Shake vigerously for 30 seconds.

Strain into the ice filled glasses, and garnish with a lime wedge.

Source: adapted from Fine Cooking June/July 2001 via Annie’s Eats

DIY Margarita Mix

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Having this homemade mixer in the fridge has been trouble. It makes it entirely too easy to make a delicious, fresh margarita on a whim. And with these warm summer evenings we’ve been having, I’ve had more and more whims lately!

This recipes comes from the lovely Shawnda, then Queen of all things margarita. Thanks to her, I’ve spent a small fortune in tequila already this year. And, summer is still young! Bringing the mix together takes only a few minutes, and a batch will last in the fridge for about a week. So great to have on hand for impromptu drinks with neighbors, or a girls night. Couldn’t be easier either; lime juice, sugar, and water. You won’t be able to go back to that neon green stuff you buy in a bottle! Enjoy.

DIY Margarita Mix

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (8-12 limes)

For each margarita:
2 ounces homemade margarita mix
2 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce orange liqueur
1 tsp agave nectar (optional)
lime wedges/slices for garnish (optional)

To make the margarita mix; heat water and sugar in a small sauce pan until completely dissolved and the water is clear. Let cool. Pour into a pitcher with lime juice. Leftovers will keep 7-10 days in a jar in the fridge.

To make margaritas, combine 2 ounces mix, 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce orange liqueur, and a teaspoon of agave nectar if you like. Shake well, strain into ice filled margarita glass. Garnish with lime slices.

To make frozen margaritas, freeze the lime mix into ice cubes. Blend the ice cubes with chilled tequila and orange liqueur until uniformly slushy.

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Cantaloupe Margaritas

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Since these margaritas have entered my life, I’ve gone through a considerable amount more of tequila every week. My homegirl Shawnda had mentioned them to me in passing about a month ago, and I couldn’t wait to try them. Literally couldn’t wait either, I hounded her to give up the recipe early. Thankfully, she obliged and gave up the goods. Made a batch of them up that night, and voila! My new favorite summer drink.

I love a small sprinkling of salt on my chunks of cantaloupe anyways, and let me tell you – the salt rim is everything I’d hoped it would be. Even now, at 9 AM on a Monday, it’s making my mouth water. The color is just gorgeous too, a lovely sherbert colored orange. This recipe makes about 4 or 5 drinks, so it’s perfect for poolside or at a backyard BBQ…or, drinking all to yourself on a Friday night. These are so good, they had my homebrewing husband drinking them! And, he doesn’t do tequila. They’re that good, folks. I know it’s only Monday, but I’m already looking forward to next weekend and making up another batch of these perfect summer cocktails.

Cantaloupe Margaritas

For the homemade margarita mix:
4 oz lime juice
4 oz water
1/4 cup sugar

For the margarita:
1 lb cantaloupe wedges (1/2 a 3lb cantaloupe, seeds and skin removed)
4 oz orange liqueur
6 oz silver tequila
Salt, for rimming (optional)
Lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Add the lime juice to a pitcher.Over medium heat in a small sauce pan, heat sugar and water, stirring until clear. Remove from heat and add to the lime juice.

In a food processor or blender, process the cantaloupe for ~60 seconds until completely obliterated into a fine pulp (you might need to add a few pieces at a time if using a blender).

Pour pulp into a fine mesh strainer set over a large measuring cup or small bowl and strain, lightly pressing the solids until you get 1 cup of liquid.

Add cantaloupe juice to the pitcher, along with tequila and orange liqueur.

Serve in salt-rimmed glasses, over crushed ice.

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Watermelon Margaritas

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It’s no secret that I have a love for margaritas, in any incarnation. Here’s another one to add to the list! Watermelon margaritas. They’re a bit reminiscent of an agua fresca – the epitome of light, fruity freshness. But, you know, with tequila.

I added a splash of Triple Sec to the recipe, as I don’t feel right calling something a margarita without a) lime or b) Triple Sec. I loved the use of the orange simple syrup, it was delicious and added some complexity to the simple sweetness of the melon. With summer just around the corner, we’ll all have wedges of watermelon stashed away in our refrigerators and coolers. This is a fabulous and fun way to use it!

Watermelon Margaritas

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
3 wide strips orange zest
12 ounces watermelon cubes (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2/3 cup white or silver tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec
Lime wedges

In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, and orange zest to a boil over high. Reduce to a simmer and cook until sugar dissolves, 3 minutes. Let syrup cool in a bowl.

In a blender, puree watermelon cubes until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on solids, into a pitcher (you should have about 1 cup juice).

Stir in syrup, lime juice, tequila, and Triple Sec. Fill salt-rimmed glasses with ice, then pour margarita mixture over top. Garnish with lime wedges.

Source: adapted from Martha Stewart