Margaritaville – Get Ready for Summer with these Beauties!
Let’s get one thing straight…as much as I love making all manner of cocktails, my true confession is that I just plain LOVE margaritas. For me, the whole cocktail making thing started with this one; this one very special margarita. Although it might use what one would consider pretty standard ingredients; it is the quality of those ingredients that makes all the difference. Up the quality of what you put into your cocktails and you’ll notice a discernible difference in the end result. I’m not advocating the most expensive tequila but I won’t make a margarita with anything less than a reposada tequila. Give your tequila some age and it lessens the harsh bite…that’s ALL good right?
Still, even if you insist on using that cheap tequila you and your buds scored last week; I think the true mark of a champion margarita is the citrus. Don’t you dare pick up that bottle of pre-made mix! Have you ever noticed a difference between lemonade made with real lemons and that made with a powder? See? So can you imagine the difference if you substitute pre-made with the real deal in this cocktail? Big difference. HUGE even. And really…how hard is it to squeeze some limes and lemons (yes, for this original it takes both!). Last but not least? Buy some orange liqueur. No, cheap Triple Sec does not qualify. Look at the ingredients and see why. Orange flavoring and sugar water do not cut it so I suggest Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Citronge; all reasonably priced and all made with the real essence of orange.
Margarita madness ensues with the advent of spring and can include a bevy of drinks with any number of fresh ingredients. Fruits, citrus and herbs all come together to create something beautiful and tasty. I listed all of my margaritas recently in a post on National Margarita Day but some favorites bear mentioning again; mostly because I don’t get how National Margarita Day can be in February. They are a summer drink if ever I had one…and now is the time to plan ahead!
Blood Orange Margarita
Second only to the original; I LOVE this Blood Orange Marg. Not just a pretty face; it’s so damn tasty!
Jalapeno MargaritaI used Jalapeno tequila too…so perfect.
Margarita Watermelon
You have to try this; so easy, so fun and SO good!
How about some more from friends all over the web? I thought you would say yes!
Roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita from How Sweet It Is (Photo by How Sweet It Is)
Fresh Cherry Margaritas from Tide and Thyme (Photo by Tide and Thyme)
Coconut and Lemongrass Margarita (Photo by Pineapple and Coconut)
Pomerita Slushie from Miss in the Kitchen (Photo by Miss in the Kitchen)
Pomelo Margarita from Confections of a Foodie Bride (Photo by Confections of a Foodie Bride)
And really…what’s the point of all this goodness without some food?
Black Bean Nachos from Aggies Kitchen (Photo by Aggies Kitchen)
YUM!! Can’t wait to try these. They all look amazing!
Margaritas are my favorite & that jalapeño one is calling my name (5 more months till I can indulge!).
Fantastic roundup and thanks for including my favorite nachos 🙂
We’ll have to drink one in celebration in 5 months and not just because you can drink a margarita!
This is the best roundup ever! Margaritas are my favorite and I appreciate you including mine!
And I appreciate your letting me…I can’t wait to try it either; come on warm weather!!
It’s definitely not Spring here but I’m sure it’s not sinful to drink a margarita in the winter? I loved this post.
Do it!
I’ve tried almost all of the triple secs out there, including the expensive ones, and in my book Cointreau is the best one of all. (I like and use Grand Mariner too, but as a curacao.) Margaritas are such a fun drink! And so appropriate with Cinco de Mayo coming up! Fun post – thanks.
That’s my favorite orange liqueur too John…I usually have a couple on hand but it’s the one I personally prefer.
I love this! My girlfriends and I are going out tonight for margaritas because it’s been nearly 3 weeks since we all saw each other -spring break vaca- and nothing says girl time like a few margarita’s 🙂 Cheers!
Hope you had a great time!
What a great selection! I love Margaritas, I hope we will be able to have one together one day!
Me too Jayne…seems only fair if you ask me.
Everything looks wonderful, love margarita’s. What a beautiful lineup!! Hope you are all doing well!
Thank you Suzanne; sort of getting in a rhythm…which means a curve ball will be next right? I might NEED a margarita! 🙂
I’m making a mango margarita next week – I’ll share it then. All these look so tasty, Barb! 🙂
Perfect Addie…Mango Margarita – love the sound of that!
Barb, I had some neighbors over a few weeks ago and knew margaritas were the way to go. I first read a post of yours that suggested which types of liquor to use then I incorporated them into a Vitamix recipe from the cookbook that came with my blender. The recipe called for an orange, a lime and a lemon to be thrown in whole (but without seeds) and, along with a few other ingredients, it created a wonderful margarita. Bring on summer!
The addition of the orange is a surprise to some but why not…we’re adding orange liqueur and the fresh orange just gives it a bit of zing.
I have a recipe for a lemon drop martini that I LOVE that blends up lemons and a lime in my Blendtec but then strains out the peel and the pith. Does your recipe include straining out those solids or not?
B, yet another thing we have in common…an undying love for the Margarita. (It is my favorite cocktail of all time.) And, of course, we share the same sentiments in only using fresh squeezed citrus (never a mix) and at least a smooth reposado tequila. My passion for perfecting my favorite Marg (to include homemade sweet & sour mix and simple syrup) is what started my fascination and drive with mixology, too. It’s so much fun to concoct! Just invented a new Margarita and cannot wait to share it. I will be guest blogging and it will run on Friday, May 3rd…just in time for Cinco de Mayo. LOVE that holiday! Thanks for sharing your favorites! xo
I’m working on a new one for Cinco de Mayo too…will be fun to share with you!