a very good margarita
Honey is not the traditional choice for a simple syrup in this drink, but I think the subtle flavor is much more additive than plain sugar. Plus, it requires no heat to dissolve or the inevitable cooling period, which I find annoying as it slows down the margarita drinking process. Because honey is a background player, use a lighter variety like wildflower or alfalfa if possible. Fresh squeezed juice is key for a good margarita so please, put those little green squeeze bottles away.
yield 4 margaritas
riffing
add 16 dashes of orange bitters or 1/4 cup orange liqueur
halve the lime juice and add 1/3 cup grapefruit, cara cara or blood orange juice
swap tajin chili seasoning for salt on the rim
top off each glass with topo chico mineral water or seltzer for a spritzy margarita
shake the margarita mix with a halved and crushed jalapeno for a little heat (strain it out)
1/4 ts kosher salt, plus more for serving
4 thick-sliced lime wheels for serving
2 oz (1/4 cup) light-colored honey
4 oz (1/2 cup) fresh lime juice (4-5 limes)
8 oz (1 cup) tequila blanco or mezcal
recipe prep
Place some kosher salt on a small plate. Rub the rim of a glass with a lime wheel (save it for serving!) and dip it in the salt. Repeat with remaining glasses. Fill cups with ice.
Combine honey, 2 ounces (1/4 cup) water, lime juice, tequila and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (3/4 teaspoon if you aren’t salting the glass rims) in a mason jar or cocktail shaker. Shake until honey is fully dissolved - you may have to give it a little stir with a spoon if its really stuck to the bottom.
Add some ice to the jar, close it and shake for about 20 seconds. Strain into glasses with a small sieve or slotted spoon.
Garnish with lime wheels.
do it ahead make the drink mixture 30 minutes or up to a few hours ahead and skip the ice-shaking. Just chill the jar of margs in the fridge until it’s time to drink and salt the rims when you’re ready.
This is very helpful if, like me, you do not have an ice maker or unlimited ice trays!
Don’t do this like, a day ahead because the citric acid will break down leaving you with a less zingy cocktail.
just for one 1 T honey, 1 T water, 1 oz (2 T) lime juice, 2 oz (1/4 cup) tequila or mezcal, the tiniest pinch of kosher salt in the mix if you are salting the glass rim (otherwise, a little less than 1/4 teaspoon)
