I am embarking on a quest to create the perfect margarita. I bought a book
full of recipes that claimed to be experts on the subject. I followed
their directions and created a throat-burning, acidic horror. I could have
done better with lime KoolAid and some cheap rot-gut! All I managed to
learn from that book was how to read a tequila bottle label, which is
helpful, but not what I was expecting for the price.
So, any Margarita experts have any tips for me? I need to redeem myself in
my husband's eyes as master bartender after last weekend's fiasco.
____________________ "You can tell by the scars on my arms and the cracks in my hips and the
dents in my car and the blisters on my lips that I'm not the carefullest of
girls." - Dresden Dolls, "Girl Anachronism"
Starlight
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 618 Registered: 27/9/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 13/9/2005 at 04:40 PM
The Margarita is one of my favorite drinks...if not my very favorite drink.
When I make them at home, I tend to go for the frozen strawberry
variety.
Here's the basic recipe I like:
1 cup of ice
2 oz Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila (bottle says: Premium-Jose Cuervo Especial
Oro)
1 oz DeKuyper Triple Sec
3 1/2 oz Daily's Strawberry Daiquiri/Margarita Mix
(Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until all ice is crushed. Serve
in a tumbler with a straw or other glass of your choice. Recipe above makes
one serving. Duplicate ingredients for number of servings desired. My
blender holds enough for about two to three servings at a time to allow for
the ice to move around in the blender properly.)
Here's the modified recipe for other times:
1 cup of ice
2 oz Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila (bottle says: Premium-Jose Cuervo Especial
Oro)
2 oz DeKuyper Triple Sec
3 1/2 oz Daily's Strawberry Daiquiri/Margarita Mix
1 tbsp Rose's Grenadine
1 tbsp Rose's Lime Juice
(Follow directions above for basic recipe for mixing directions and
servings. Glass rim can be coated with either salt or sugar and glass can
be garnished with a lime and/or strawberry slice.)
Good luck and happy drinking.
____________________ "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never
tried before." ~Mae West
Schizo
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 897 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 13/9/2005 at 05:35 PM
Yeah, I've got the Margarita mix kind down. Damn they're yummy! But my
ego says "you must make your own from SCRATCH to be a TRUE Margarita
goddess."
Incedentally, I usually use Jose Cuervo Especial, also. A good quality,
low price tequila, although it is a mixto (not 100% agave). For special
occasions, I break out the Jose Cuervo Tradicional, which is a 100% agave
tequila, lightly aged ("reposado"). Very good stuff, and still fairly
reasonably priced.
Can you tell I read my Margarita book very thoroughly?
They also recommend Cointreau in place of Triple Sec for a higher quality
drink, but think that Grand Marnier can be a little overpowering for a
Margarita, unless you really want the flavor of orange liqueur to come
through strongly.
I used to just do a quick 1 part tequila to 3 parts mix, with no liqueur at
all. The book called for an alarming nearly 2 parts alcohol to 1 part
straight lime juice, which was just AWFUL!!! Although it gave an amazing
buzz very quickly, it also gave my husband a stomach ache, and was not at
all what I look for in a Margarita. I like my Margarita to go down smooth
and refreshing, with just enough kick to make you want to say "yum" and
"wow" at the same time. You shouldn't have to brace yourself to take a
sip.
Anyone have any info. on how to do a Margarita without using pre-made mix?
I'd kind of like to make a bit of a ritual of it, right down to squeezing
my own fresh lime juice. What should the ratio be for tequila to liqueur
to juice? Do I use straight juice, or make a sort of limeade? Would sugar
be a desecration, or is it a necessary ingredient?
I intend to do a certain amount of my own experimentation, but since even
the cheap tequila can get pricey in large quantities, I would really like
some basis to start from.
Damn - talking about Margaritas is making me thirsty!
____________________ "You can tell by the scars on my arms and the cracks in my hips and the
dents in my car and the blisters on my lips that I'm not the carefullest
of
girls." - Dresden Dolls, "Girl Anachronism"
I'm sorry baby, I like margaritas as much as anybody, but NOTHING, and I
mean NOTHING beats a rum float. Parrot Bay coconut rum, cream soda, vegan
ice cream. Best of luck in your quest to become margarita goddess. The
Rum goddess saves you a seat! (right next to me of course, so we can gossip
and trade drinks).
Ever had butter pecan ice cream with a wee piss o rum (silor jerry!) on top
and then covered in butterscotch schnapps? WHy yes, I think I WILL die in
my sleep of pure bliss....
____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas.
Merry_Widow
Fanatic
Posts: 598 Registered: 24/8/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 15/9/2005 at 12:22 AM
Dear. God. Bettie. I'ma have to use my typing money and get some rum float
supplies.
As for margaritas, all I know is that my dad makes them, and either put it
directly into my hand, or leave it somewhere where I will find it. It's
like have a little Tequila Fairy fluttering around spreading good wishes.
But I will definitely ask around., see if anyone has any tips or
suggestions. Kudos to you for your efforts in Becoming a TRUE Margarita
Goddess. (I shall refrain from any porcelain throne/alter jokes at this
time.)
____________________ Okay, dazzle me.
Schizo
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 897 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 15/9/2005 at 02:35 AM
Mmmmm... Bettie, I'll have to try your suggestion! Rum is actually a form
of booze I haven't sampled yet (although I love rum balls!) But it's
definitely on my list of things to try - such a nice, piratical sounding
drink!
I've been practicing making lemonade (for the neigborhood kids who come
over to play with Riley), and I've been paying attention to the way a glass
of that stuff goes down. I'm not caring for the high sugar content - tends
to turn the stomach at the end of the glass. Need to either cut down the
amount, or find another form of sweetening, I think.
And Merry, speaking of the porcelain throne - they say that 100% agave
tequila won't give you a hangover, but they lie. Although it was mild for
the amount I drank the evening of the Margaritas from hell. Although I
THOUGHT of making an offering to the sewer gods, I was able to refrain.
*Note to self - when a recipe instructs you to use twice the alcohol in a
drink you're used to, RUN!!!
____________________ "You can tell by the scars on my arms and the cracks in my hips and
the
/>
dents in my car and the blisters on my lips that I'm not the carefullest
of