The Perfect Margarita Recipe

There's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a nice cold margarita! So why am I talking about them on a cold September afternoon? Cause they're still just as good now, and I've been sipping on a great one for the last hour, so I feel like sharing!

History: There are many variations on where the cocktail actually came from. The most popular is that it was made for the actress Rita Heyworth, who's real name is Margarita Cansino. Before becoming famous, Rita was a dancer at a bar in Tijuana, and loved to drink Tequila. The bar owner told her that it wasn't ladylike to drink the liquor, so she asked the bartender to come up with a cocktail that she could drink. The ending result, the Margarita, is the most popular Tequila based cocktail in the world.

Here's how I make it.....

• 2 (2 oz) Shots Tequila
• 2 (2 oz) Shots Triple Sec
• 5 oz Simply Limeade
• Ice
• Cocktail Shaker
• Lime slices
• Course salt, Kosher, Sea Salt or Margarita Salt

OK, I know that the purists out there are going to shoot me for suggesting a limeade. Traditionally, this should be made with fresh squeezed limes instead, but I assure you, my method is closer to the real thing than all of those mixes out there people get instead. Plus, many bars mix simple syrup with their margaritas, to sweeten them a bit. The simply limeade is already sweetened, and prevents me from having to make a simple syrup, then let it cool before making the cocktail.

Making the Margarita is simple..... Mix the limeade, triple sec and tequila in the cocktail shaker, with about 3 or 4 cubes of ice. Shake vigorously.

You can serve blended with ice, but lately, I've just been serving it over the rocks. It tastes just as good, but less hassle.

Take a wedge of lime, and cut a slit in the middle. Put it on the edge of the glass, lightly squeeze, and rotate the glass around until the entire rim is coated with lime juice. Turn the glass over, and rotate on a shallow saucer of salt, thus coating the rim in salt. Flip the glass back over, fill half way with ice, and strain the cocktail into the glass.

Garnish with a wedge or wheel of lime on the rim.

Let me know what you think.

~Matt