Classic Margarita
...and some not so classic twists
The origins of the margarita are disputed but three names are often mentioned: Carlos “Danny” Herrera, who is believed to have invented the margarita at his restaurant near Tijuana, Francisco “Pancho” Morales, a barman at Tommy’s Place Bar in Juárez and more romantically Daniel “Danny” Negrete is said to have created the drink in 1936 when he was the manager of Garci Crespo Hotel in Puebla, Mexico. It is suggested that his girlfriend was named Margarita, who liked salt in her drinks.
Whatever the history there is no doubt that this tequila sour – made with just three ingredients – deserves its place in the list of classic cocktails.
It always includes three ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. The specific ratios can vary, as can the addition of salt and sugar. There is no rule on what type of tequila to use. But if you use a higher-end tequila like a Reposado or Añejo, you’ll obtain a smoother drink.
It’s very easy to make and has many variations including the famous Frozen.
Classic Margarita
Ingredients
50 ml Good Quality Tequila
20 ml Triple Sec
15 ml Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
Method
Put all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake well to chill.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass (Martini style) rimmed with salt.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
How to make a delicious salt rim
Ingredients
Zest of 1 Lime, finely grated
2 Tablespoons of salt
2 Tablespoons of Caster or Granulated Sugar
Method
Combine the lime zest, salt, and sugar in a small blender.
Blitz until combined and very finely chopped.
Take 1 tablespoon of the mixture and place on a medium sized plate.
Run a lime wedge around the rim of your cocktail glasses and press the rims into the lime, salt and sugar mixture to coat the edge.
Apple Cider Margarita
Nothing like a Margarita really, but a lovely winter drink, nonetheless.
Ingredients
120ml Silver Tequila
500ml Apple Cider
65ml fresh lime or lemon juice
Cinnamon
Sugar
Salt
Cinnamon stick to garnish
Method
Combine Tequila, Cider and lime juice in a large jug full of ice.
Chill mixture by stirring and the seive to remove ice.
Dip rim of glass in lime juice and cover in sugar cinnamon and salt (See below)
Serve with a Cinnamon stick to garnish
Sugar, Cinnamon and Salt rim
Ingredients
Lime Juice
2 Tablespoons of Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons of salt
2 Tablespoons of CasterSugar
Method
Combine the Cinnamon, salt, and sugar in a small blender.
Blitz until combined
Take 1 tablespoon of the mixture and place on a medium sized plate.
Dip cocktail glasses into lime juice and press the rim into the Cinnamon, salt and sugar mixture to coat the edge.
Soho House Picante
Not exactly a Margarita but close and it’s fantastic.
Courtesy of Soho House
Ingredients
50ml Reposado Tequila
20ml Agave Nectar
25ml fresh lime juice
Chilli pepper (about ¼ inch wide)
10 coriander (cilantro) leaves with stem
Method
Cut the small piece of chilli and press it with a muddler in a cocktail shaker tin.
Hand-clap the coriander to awaken the aromas and drop in.
Add the rest of the ingredients, then shake and fine strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
Cut off the top end of the chilli pepper and place – stem upwards – in the drink to garnish.
Ultimate Margarita
A classic Margarita is made the addition of Triple Sec (Cointreau) but some prefer it without the citrus tang and instead replace the Triple Sec with Agave nectar.
Frozen Margarita
To make a frozen Margarita simply add a cup full of ice to a blender, then add in your standard ingredients (Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice) and blitz. Simple
Passion Fruit Margarita
Passion fruit adds a tangy twist to this drink. Scoop out the flesh of half a passion fruit and add it to a cocktail shaker containing your Tequila, Triple Sec and Lime Juice. Add some ice and shake well – strain into a cocktail glass
Interesting Facts
Both tequila and mezcal are made from the core of the agave plant.
Tequila is produced by steaming the agave inside ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots.
Mezcal is cooked inside earth pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.
Chilli Infused Margarita
For more of a hit why not try your hand at infusing your tequila with chillies. You could be as restrained or as bold as you dare with a wide range of fresh chillies available.. Simply split your chosen chilli lengthwise and let it steep in a few measures of Tequila. The longer it steeps the stronger the taste.
Then simply use instead of regular tequila.
Mezcal Margarita
Mezcal makes for a smoky twist on the margarita – just swap the tequila for mezcal
