Perfectly Balanced Margarita
A perfectly balanced, "slushy" style Margarita cocktail. The flavours are in such perfect balance that you'd almost swear they were layered in the glass. The lime juice and ice cool the front of the tongue while the orange notes dance at the back of your mouth. Very easy to sip on, especially on warm summer evenings before dinner. And it's only 1/3 alcohol (by volume): the other 2/3 of the drink is lime juice and ice. If you've suffered poorly-made margaritas at bars or from a mix, this from-scratch recipe is a whole different drink.
Instructions
- Juice the limes to get 1/2 cup (4 oz / 125 ml) of lime juice. Tip: turn the squeezed lime halves inside out to get more juice.
- Taking an already-squeezed lime half, use it to moisten the rims of four martini-style glasses (or any glass.) Twirl the rims of the glasses in some salt on a plate. Set the glasses aside.
- Put the lime juice in a blender jug; add the 1/2 cup (4 oz / 125 ml) of triple sec and 1/2 cup (4 oz / 125 ml) of tequila.
- You can prepare this part several hours in advance; just cover well. (Tip: consider doubling the quantities so you are ready for a second round.)
- Prepare and add the shaved ice. Blend for about 30 seconds. Pour into prepared glasses and serve.
Notes
Easily doubled, tripled, etc. For a gang, it's best to make a doubling or tripling of the base ingredient mixture (juice, triple sec, tequilla) somewhat in advance. 1 1/2 cups of shaved ice weighs 5 oz / 140g. Try to use Key Limes (aka Mexican Limes.) Those are the small limes, not the big ones. Three of those (turned inside out for a second squeeze) will give you exactly 1/2 cup (4 oz / 125 ml) of lime juice. Kosher salt works best. It sticks well without being too dense, provides a satisfying crunch, and doesn't have the chemical burn of iodine in it. But use any uniodized salt you wish. Not everyone likes the salt rims, but of those who don't, more seem to come around to a salt like Kosher. Use any brand of triple sec you wish; experiment. Use any brand or colour of tequila you wish.
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