Margarita
No one cocktail was so humiliated during the dark days of cocktails and no cocktail can have as much of an elevation in the resurgence of cocktails as the Margarita. A classic Margarita is like great Italian cooking, combine a few quality ingredients in the proper proportions and you create something that is more than the sum of its parts. That is very bold for both chef and bartender because there is nowhere to hide if you make a mistake. I grew up in the dark days of bartending when a margarita was a four count of tequila with a 2 count of triple sec and add ice and whatever mix was cheapest from the distributor that week and shake. The result was a foaming, nuclear colored concoction that would give heart palpitations from the salt and induce diabetic commas from the sugar. Of course I exaggerate but this version goes back to the balance of sweet, sour, and the peppery agave character of the tequila all in harmony. If you don’t believe me, then ask my good friend Sterling Archer.
Ingredients
2 oz Tequila (I prefer Herradura Silver)
1 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz Lime Juice
Garnish
Lime wedge
kosher salt
Glassware
5 oz cocktail glass or Old Fashioned glass
Assembly
With a wedge of lime moisten the rim of the glass and crust in kosher salt in a shallow dish. In a shaker combine ice, with lime juice, tequila and Cointreau. Stir vigorously until chilled. Either strain into a cocktail glass or pour contents into an old fashioned glass.
Suggestions
You can add in foaming products to give the look of a 1970’s mix based margarita but I say leave it alone. For a different take use half lemon juice and half lime juice.
Cointreau vs. Triple Sec
Let me start off by saying that Cointreau is delicious and should always be used as a first option. That being said it can be tempting when making large quantities to go with a lesser priced product like a $4.99 handle of some generic Triple Sec. If you do go with triple sec try to find Marie Brizard brand that has balance and is less sweet than most I have tried. I have some other options for you. CURAÇAO OF CURAÇAO by the Senior Family is the only real Curaçao liqueur made. While more flavored like Grand Marnier, it will add a new twist to your margarita while saving some money and still serving a fantastic liqueur. Another similar option would be Mandarine Napoléon. Again more Grand Marnier like but you get real Mandarine and real cognac in your glass for about 30% less than Cointreau.