Spicy Margaritas

I had the best spicy margarita yesterday and decided it needed to be something I learned how to master for taco nights at home with friends.  I really love a great margarita, the tang, the salty + the sweet, I think it is just so delicious.  We eat a lot of Mexican food at home with tacos, bowls, and fajitas and I do love pairing a Mexican evening with a great margarita.  I mastered the regular margarita in 2020 and now I am ready to tackle the spicy one. 

What was different about this one was the mix of fresh jalapenos and cilantro.  I know cilantro can be disliked by many but I will tell you I completely embrace it.  I love it in all things and having it in my margarita was amazing.  Obviously you can leave it out if it's not your thing.  I also loved that the drink was big on flavor and not just strong.  I was able to enjoy it without it kicking my butt if you know what I mean.  I am more about the flavor and the experience than it just altering my state, which I did not need. 

I am going to make this two ways, one with a shortcut and one without depending on which you prefer.  I will tell you I had to try a few recipes to get it the way I wanted, but sometimes taste testing things is really fun and this lunch today was very, very fun. 😉

Oh, and what better way to celebrate 2.22.22 than spicy margaritas for Taco Tuesday??

The goal here was flavor over potency ... so add more tequila as you desire after trying it! I think it's perfect!

Spicy Cilantro Margarita ... 

2 oz. tequila (I use Casamigas)

1 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec
1 oz. lime juice

1/2 oz. Agave (or more to taste)
1 fresh jalapeno 

1 bunch of cilantro

Tajin to garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.

Add two jalapeño coins (seeds removed if you don't want it too spicy)to a shaker and a pinch of cilantro and gently muddle. Add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and agave syrup, and shake it like it's your full time job.  You will find the shaker becomes very cold and this is when it is ready to pour.  

Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with thinly sliced jalapeños and a tiny pinch of cilantro and finish with a shake of tajin.

Do you love and use GrisGris Cocktail Magic mixers?  You are in for a treat if you do!!

GrisGrisRita ... 

2oz. tequila

1/2 oz Gris Gris cocktail magic (I would use the Jalapeno Hex)

1/2 oz triple sec

1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice

In a cocktail shaker, add ice and all four ingredients and shake well.  Re-rim glass with salt if desired and pour contents with ice into glass. Garnish with a slice of fresh jalapeno and a pinch of lime zest. 

Happy 2.22.22