So, this is a bit of a spur of the moment post and I don’t have a picture quite yet.  I’ll have one by tonight and edit the post when I get it.  The other day one of my friends asked a general question and how to make a great margarita and I gave a super quick answer without thinking much about it.  The good news for him is that I’m going to stick with my original answer. Beyond using a good tequila of your choice, the most important part of a margarita is the simplicity of lime juice, sugar, salt, and ice.  Great…easy right?  Yep, not bad and there are a number of ways that you can combine said ingredients together to make a great margarita.  So, go ahead, ditch the neon green store bought mix and try making a healthier version at home…well, if not healthier, it certainly has less chemicals!

You may or may not be aware but limes are not great this year.  They weren’t great last year and were super expensive.  Luckily this year the price seems to have moderated but I still think the quality of the limes available isn’t quite up to par.  Maybe it’s me and I need to improve my picking method.  Whatever the reason, I decided to use both the juice and zest of the lime to really get a great lime flavor into the drink.  That way, even if the lime juice isn’t plentiful or quite as tasty as it might be, the lime flavor will still be there.

Simple syrup is simply equal parts sugar and water.  You bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring pretty often.  Once it begins to boil, turn the heat off and allow it to cool…you are done.  It can then be refrigerated and will last a couple of weeks and you can use it for a myriad of other cocktails, etc.  To make the syrup for the margarita, simply zest one lime into the pan of water and sugar and bring the whole thing to boil and allow to cool.  Once cool, you can either strain out the zest to have a clear syrup or leave it in.  I’d leave it in if I was just making these for Tara and I (which I happen to be doing so the end product will definitely contain the zest).

Once you get the syrup ready, then squeeze the juice of one lime into a cocktail mixer and then add an ounce of the lime simple syrup.  Add two ounces of tequila (I’m going with Patron Silver but use what you like or what you have…hopefully that’s one in the same).  Add a few ice cubes and stir to combine.  Rim a glass with kosher salt and then add the mixed margarita to the glass.  Enjoy!  There are a thousand variations on the fruit, flavor, etc. for margaritas but I really like this simple, traditionally flavored one.  Hope you do as well.

PS- you can do the same simple syrup with mint leaves and use it as a base for mint flavored ice creams, sodas, or even better…mint juleps, etc.