for extra sweetness, muddle a few more raspberries in the bottom of the glass before serving.

for extra sweetness, muddle a few more raspberries in the bottom of the glass before serving.

Cilantro & Raspberry Margarita

  • 2 oz tequila
  • .5 oz grand marnier 
  • .5 oz fresh lime juice
  • .5 tsp agave nectar
  • dash of tabasco
  • handful of fresh raspberries (reserve a few for garnish)
  • small bunch of fresh cilantro

muddle raspberries, 2 sprigs of cilantro, agave, and lime juice in the bottom of the shaker. add ice, tequila, grand mariner, and tabasco. strain into prepared glass; garnish with remaining raspberries, and plenty of cilantro.

serves 1

 

Garden Snake Bite

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 persian or english cucumber, skin removed
  • .75 oz fresh lime juice
  • .75 oz elderflower liquor, infused with fresh jalapeño*

muddle fresh cucumber and lime juice together in the bottom of the cocktail shaker. add infused elderflower liquor, tequila, and ice. shake & strain. 

garnish with paper-thin slices of fresh cucumber, and a slice of jalapeño, with the seeds removed.

 

 

serves 1

perfect for hot summer evenings.

perfect for hot summer evenings.

*for the infused elderflower liquor: slice 1 small jalapeño, reserving a slice for the garnish. add jalapeño, seeds and all, to the elderflower liquor. let stand at least five minutes. for extra heat, allow the infusion to set longer.

 
the use of two different  types of hot peppers lends a more complex flavor to this drink.

the use of two different  types of hot peppers lends a more complex flavor to this drink.

Spicy Watermelon Margarita

  • 2 oz tequila
  • .5 oz triple sec 
  • .5 oz fresh lime juice
  • .75 oz jalapeño-infused simple syrup*
  • 3-4 slices of fresh poblano pepper
  • watermelon 

in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup of watermelon with the poblano pepper slices. add ice, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and spicy syrup. shake & pour into a highball glass, garnish with a slice of fresh lime.

for larger batches, add all ingredients (minus the ice) to a blender & pulse until smooth; pour over ice.

 

serves 1

*for spicy jalapeño-infused simple syrup, add equal parts water & sugar to a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling to dissolve the sugar. add slices of jalapeños & some seeds for extra heat. simmer until reduced; strain out the seeds and slices before using or storing.

 
just add a hot summer night and a front porch.

just add a hot summer night and a front porch.

Peach & Elderflower Margarita

  • 2 oz tequila
  • .5 oz elderflower liquor
  • .5 oz lime
  • 1-2 oz fresh peach nectar*
  • old bay seasoning
  • granulated or turbinado sugar

prepare highball glass: run a wedge of lime around the outside of the glass to wet the rim. on a small saucer, combine sugar and old bay seasoning, roughly 2 part seasoning to 1 part sugar  (for more of a kick, reduce the amount of sugar). dip moistened rim in the prepared mixture, swirling to coat. add ice; set aside.

in a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, elderflower liquor, and lime juice. shake & strain into prepared glass. top with 1-2 oz fresh peach nectar.

serves 1

*peach nectar may be purchased, but you can also juice a fresh peach right into the shaker, or muddle a peach in the bottom of the shaker, and strain before serving.

 

Orange & Prickly Pear Margarita

  • 2 oz tequila
  • .5 oz grand marnier 
  • splash of elderflower liqueur
  • .5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 3-4 oz prickly pear & orange san pellegrino
  • dash of cayenne
  • spicy sugar rim (optional; not pictured)*

prepare glass with sugared rim, if using. set aside.

in a cocktail shaker with ice, vigorously shake tequila, grand mariner, elderflower liqueur, lime, and cayenne. strain into prepared glass; top with 3-4 oz of prickly pear & orange pellegrino** and garnish with a wheel of fresh lime.

serves 1

*for optional spicy sugar rim: add cayenne pepper, chili powder, and granulated or turbinado sugar to a small saucer. alter ratios to taste. swirl with the back of a spoon to combine. any excess can be stored for future use.

**in lieu, you can you make your own prickly pear & orange syrup (infusing a simple syrup with both, then straining and cooling), and top with sparkling water. 

 

Passion Fruit Margarita

  • 2 oz tequila
  • .5 oz triple sec 
  • .5 oz fresh lime juice
  • .75 oz passion fruit syrup*
  • spicy sugar, for rim**

prepare highball glass: run a wedge of lime around the outside of the glass to wet the rim. dip the moistened rim in the spicy sugar mixture, swirling to coat. add ice; set aside.

in a cocktail shaker with ice, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and passion fruit syrup. shake & strain into prepared glass. garnish with a slice of fresh lime.

 

serves 1

for a less potent option, this margarita can be topped with an ounce or two of fresh passion fruit juice.

for a less potent option, this margarita can be topped with an ounce or two of fresh passion fruit juice.

*for the passion fruit syrup, reduce passion fruit juice over medium heat until volume is reduced by about half. for a sweeter drink, reduce further until syrupy. 

**for spicy sugar rim: add  cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, chili powder, and granulated or turbinado sugar to a small saucer. alter ratios to taste. swirl with the back of a spoon to combine. any excess can be stored for future use. 

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still thirsty?

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