The Margarita Cocktail

THE MARGARITA

(Like a tequila based Sidecar)

Good evening again ladies and gentlemen! It's time for this week's cocktail!

The Margarita. This is the cocktail everyone's heard if not in the actual world, then in numerous movies to say the least. Essentially a Sidecar with tequila instead of brandy, I've always had a rather love-hate relationship regarding this drink. The love being, I mean, it's a Margarita. I've hardly ever made one in my life and it's one of those cocktails you just got to make or at least drink once in your life time.

The hate that the few time's I've made it, they've turned out crappy. Or maybe because I'm not the greatest fan of tequila, or the tequila brand I've used is poor (you wouldn't know how rare it is to find quality tequila in Finland) or that the frigging salt rim ruins everything for me.

I've decided to meet my demons by creating two variations of the classic Margarita; the one on the left is a home-based cocktail and the one on the right is the one (usually) served in Finland (alcohol-regulations).

First, the home based variation:

• 4.5 cl quality tequila (read this if you want to know more about tequilas)
• 2 cl triple sec (I used cointreau)
• 4.5 cl fresh sour mix (1:1 ratio fresh lime juice and simple syrup ie. ~2 cl both)

CHECK THE UPDATED VERSION FROM BELOW!

The second is the more common (Finnish) version:

• 2 cl blanco tequila
• 2 cl triple sec (usually cointreau though)
• 2 cl lime/lemon juice

Both recipes, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass or if at home, you can use a tumbler with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and of course if you prefer, the salt rim; I let the video do the talking for me (it's really educational as well!)

Since I'm more of the sugar-tooth type, I totally liked the home based more. I think the whole existence of that horrible salt rim has given me great traumas over the Margarita. Should I ever make a Margarita to my friends (at home)...I would totally go with the first version. Hands down. If you prefer a more zingy/sourer version, go with the second.

Here's a Margarita that I made today, a good ~2½ years later! I will still stress the fact when making these drinks (or ordering at a bar) that

• FORGET any pre-mix stuff! It is SHIT.
• Make sure the tequila is 100% de agave! Otherwise you are stuck with SHIT.
• The drink is as good as its worst ingredient!

When we have these on the table, here's a solid recipe, it's a bit tweaked since the first time I made it:

1. 6 cl 100% de agave blanco tequila
2. 2 cl cointreau
3. 2 cl fresh lime juice
4. (1 cl agave syrup)

Agave syrup rounds up the drink nicely + smoothens its. I used it in this version and I will say it worked just nicely! But it is up to you if you prefer a more zzziinggg in your Margarita!