Photo: Patrón Tequila
The tangy lime and salty undertone of the classic Margarita is hard to beat. It’s a cocktail that often tops lists of popular drinks and even has a special day to celebrate its deliciousness—National Margarita Day, February 22. This “holiday” is a great excuse to not only whip up a batch of the classic tequila, lime and orange liqueur formula, but it’s also a fun time to mix it up and try new twists on the theme. To help us raise a glass to the occasion, the folks at Patrón Tequila and 1800 Tequila shared these recipes from classic Margaritas to those that include pineapple, watermelon juice or a dab of marmalade and options that turn up the heat with a splash of hot sauce and a chili pepper. And since the date falls on a Monday this year, we’ll want to start the celebration over the weekend. Cheers!
Patrón Classic Margarita
kosher salt (optional)
1½ ounces Patrón Silver Tequila
1 ounce Patrón Citrónge Orange
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
¼ ounce simple syrup
lime wedge, for garnish
Moisten half of the glass rim with lime or water and press into kosher salt, if desired. Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously with ice to chill. Strain onto fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Photo: Patrón Tequila
Azalea Margarita
1½ ounces Patrón Silver Tequila
½ ounce Patrón Citrónge Orange
1 ounce pineapple juice
½ ounce lime juice
½ ounce grenadine
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill. Strain into a rocks glass.
Photo: Patrón Tequila
Margarita Caliente
1½ ounces Patrón Silver Tequila
1 ounce Patrón Citrónge Orange
1 ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce passion fruit syrup
4 dashes Chipotle Tabasco
2 bar spoons orange marmalade
orange twist, for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to chill and texturize. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange twist.
Photo: Patrón Tequila
Margarita Amore
1½ ounces Patrón Reposado Tequila
½ ounce Patrón Citrónge Orange
1 ounce apple juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce Valentina-passion fruit syrup (see below)
fresh chili pepper, for garnish
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to chill. Strain into a chilled Margarita glass. Garnish with a small chili pepper.
For the Valentina-passion fruit syrup: Combine two parts passion fruit syrup to one part Valentina hot sauce and stir to combine. Store refrigerated.
Photo: 1800 Tequila
Summerita
2 ounces 1800 Silver Tequila
1 ounce watermelon juice
½ ounce lime juice
¼ ounce agave syrup
inch of cilantro
Champagne, to top
Add all ingredients except champagne to shaker. Shake hard for 15 seconds. Double strain into flute. Top with champagne.
Photo: 1800 Tequila
Cranberryrita
2 ounces 1800 Silver Tequila
1 ounce frozen cranberries, thawed
1 ounce rosemary simple syrup
1 ounce lime juice
Add 1800 Silver and thawed cranberries into a shaker. Muddle the cranberries until the tequila is pink. Add the simple syrup and lime juice to the shaker, then top with ice. Stir until cold, then strain into glasses rim with salt. Add additional frozen cranberries and rosemary as garnish.
Photo: 1800 Tequila
1800 Classic Margarita
2 ounces 1800 Silver Tequila
1 ounce lime juice
½ ounce agave syrup
½ ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice
Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake and strain into salted rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
