Recipe Background
Fresh Squeezed Margarita: Captures the essence of summer with a beach breeze vibe.
It was the summer after college when I first tasted the magic of fresh squeezed margaritas. My cousin invited me to her bungalow on the beach—a small getaway for those who needed an escape from the corporate world we had all just entered. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the waves, and she decided it was time for me to learn the art of the perfectly crafted margarita.
With lime wedges in one hand and silver tequila in the other, she walked me through the process. As I rubbed the lime around the rim of my glass, I couldn't help but feel the weight of nostalgia, the sense of crafting something timeless. We dipped our rims into coarse salt, a motion that became a rhythm between us, a sisterhood of sorts. A splash of orange liqueur and fresh lime juice brought it all to life. "Always shake till it's frosty," she whispered with a grin, reminding me that the chill was essential to capturing the spirit of the beach breeze.
We gathered friends around a bonfire as we sipped the freshly strained drinks, gratitude filling the air along with the sound of the waves. That evening, I learned more than how to make a drink. I learned to embrace simplicity and savor moments that can only be captured with a sprinkle of lime and a dash of joy. A tip: use large chunks of ice to keep it cool longer, and enjoy the memories as much as the taste.
Ingredients
- lime wedges to taste
- coarse salt optional, to taste
- 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ice to taste
- simple syrup optional, to taste, store-bought or homemade
Directions
- Rub 1 of the lime wedges around the rim of the intended serving glass.
- Fill a shallow bowl or plate with the coarse salt.
- Dip the lime-coated rim into the salt until it is covered.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, the orange liqueur, the lime juice, and the ice. Cover and shake for about 10 seconds, until combined and frosty.
- Taste and stir in the desired amount of the simple syrup.
- Fill the prepared serving glass with more of the ice and strain the margarita mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with the lime wedges, serve, and enjoy!
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