Laura B
07-13-2001, 04:09 PM
I found this on the Cook's Illustrated website.
Put away that blender. For the ultimate margarita, mix premium tequila with fresh juice and zest, and shake it yourself.
Problem: The typical margarita tends to be a slushy, headache-inducing concoction made with little more than ice, tequila, and artificially flavored corn syrup.
Goal: A balanced blend of fresh citrus flavors and tequila.
Solution: Use the correct proportions (equal parts juice, orange liqueur, and tequila) for the best balance; the right alcohol (Triple Sec and a resposado tequila, made from 100 percent blue agave) for a mellow, delicate flavor; and the best citrus mix (lemon and lime zest steeped in their juices) for deep, refreshing citrus flavor. Add a bit of sugar and a pinch of salt and you have a perfect summer cocktail.
THE BEST FRESH MARGARITAS
Makes about 1 quart, serving 4 to 6
The longer the zest and juice mixture is allowed to steep, the more developed the citrus flavors in the finished margaritas. We recommend steeping for the full 24 hours, although the margaritas will still be great if the mixture is steeped only for the minimum 4 hours. If you’re in a rush and need to serve margaritas immediately, omit the zest and skip the steeping process altogether.
4 teaspoons grated zest plus ½ cup juice from
2 to 3 medium limes
4 teaspoons grated zest plus ½ cup juice from
2 to 3 medium lemons
¼ cup superfine sugar
Pinch salt
2 cups crushed ice
1 cup 100 percent agave tequila, preferably
reposado
1 cup Triple Sec
1. Combine lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, sugar, and salt in large liquid measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors meld, 4 to 24 hours.
2. Divide 1 cup crushed ice between 4 or 6 margarita or double old-fashioned glasses. Strain juice mixture into 1-quart pitcher or cocktail shaker. Add tequila, Triple Sec, and remaining crushed ice; stir or shake until thoroughly combined and chilled, 20 to 60 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses; serve immediately.
FRESH PINEAPPLE MARGARITAS
The pineapple flavor in this variation makes the zest and steeping process in the recipe above unnecessary.
Peel and core 1 small ripe pineapple (about 3½ pounds); cut half the pineapple into rough 2-inch chunks (reserve remaining half for another use). Puree in workbowl of food processor fitted with steel blade until smooth and foamy, about 1 minute. Follow recipe for the Best Fresh Margaritas, omitting zest and steeping process, reducing lemon and lime juices to ¼ cup each, and adding ½ cup pureed pineapple to juice mixture.
FRESH RASPBERRY MARGARITAS
For strawberry margaritas, substitute an equal amount of hulled strawberries for the raspberries.
Follow recipe for the Best Fresh Margaritas, omitting zest and steeping process and pureeing 1 cup fresh raspberries, lime and lemon juices, sugar, and salt in workbowl of food processor fitted with steel blade until smooth. Strain mixture into pitcher or cocktail shaker; continue with recipe, reducing Triple Sec to ½ cup and adding ½ cup Chambord (or desired raspberry liqueur) to juice and tequila mixture in pitcher.
July, 2000
Put away that blender. For the ultimate margarita, mix premium tequila with fresh juice and zest, and shake it yourself.
Problem: The typical margarita tends to be a slushy, headache-inducing concoction made with little more than ice, tequila, and artificially flavored corn syrup.
Goal: A balanced blend of fresh citrus flavors and tequila.
Solution: Use the correct proportions (equal parts juice, orange liqueur, and tequila) for the best balance; the right alcohol (Triple Sec and a resposado tequila, made from 100 percent blue agave) for a mellow, delicate flavor; and the best citrus mix (lemon and lime zest steeped in their juices) for deep, refreshing citrus flavor. Add a bit of sugar and a pinch of salt and you have a perfect summer cocktail.
THE BEST FRESH MARGARITAS
Makes about 1 quart, serving 4 to 6
The longer the zest and juice mixture is allowed to steep, the more developed the citrus flavors in the finished margaritas. We recommend steeping for the full 24 hours, although the margaritas will still be great if the mixture is steeped only for the minimum 4 hours. If you’re in a rush and need to serve margaritas immediately, omit the zest and skip the steeping process altogether.
4 teaspoons grated zest plus ½ cup juice from
2 to 3 medium limes
4 teaspoons grated zest plus ½ cup juice from
2 to 3 medium lemons
¼ cup superfine sugar
Pinch salt
2 cups crushed ice
1 cup 100 percent agave tequila, preferably
reposado
1 cup Triple Sec
1. Combine lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, sugar, and salt in large liquid measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors meld, 4 to 24 hours.
2. Divide 1 cup crushed ice between 4 or 6 margarita or double old-fashioned glasses. Strain juice mixture into 1-quart pitcher or cocktail shaker. Add tequila, Triple Sec, and remaining crushed ice; stir or shake until thoroughly combined and chilled, 20 to 60 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses; serve immediately.
FRESH PINEAPPLE MARGARITAS
The pineapple flavor in this variation makes the zest and steeping process in the recipe above unnecessary.
Peel and core 1 small ripe pineapple (about 3½ pounds); cut half the pineapple into rough 2-inch chunks (reserve remaining half for another use). Puree in workbowl of food processor fitted with steel blade until smooth and foamy, about 1 minute. Follow recipe for the Best Fresh Margaritas, omitting zest and steeping process, reducing lemon and lime juices to ¼ cup each, and adding ½ cup pureed pineapple to juice mixture.
FRESH RASPBERRY MARGARITAS
For strawberry margaritas, substitute an equal amount of hulled strawberries for the raspberries.
Follow recipe for the Best Fresh Margaritas, omitting zest and steeping process and pureeing 1 cup fresh raspberries, lime and lemon juices, sugar, and salt in workbowl of food processor fitted with steel blade until smooth. Strain mixture into pitcher or cocktail shaker; continue with recipe, reducing Triple Sec to ½ cup and adding ½ cup Chambord (or desired raspberry liqueur) to juice and tequila mixture in pitcher.
July, 2000