Margaritaville – Get Ready for Summer with these Beauties!

Let’s get one thing straight…as much as I love making all manner of cocktails, my true confession is that I just plain LOVE margaritas. For me, the whole cocktail making thing started with this one; this one very special margarita. Although it might use what one would consider pretty standard ingredients; it is the quality of those ingredients that makes all the difference. Up the quality of what you put into your cocktails and you’ll notice a discernible difference in the end result. I’m not advocating the most expensive tequila but I won’t make a margarita with anything less than a reposada tequila. Give your tequila some age and it lessens the harsh bite…that’s ALL good right?

Still, even if you insist on using that cheap tequila you and your buds scored last week; I think the true mark of a champion margarita is the citrus. Don’t you dare pick up that bottle of pre-made mix! Have you ever noticed a difference between lemonade made with real lemons and that made with a powder? See? So can you imagine the difference if you substitute pre-made with the real deal in this cocktail? Big difference. HUGE even. And really…how hard is it to squeeze some limes and lemons (yes, for this original it takes both!). Last but not least? Buy some orange liqueur. No, cheap Triple Sec does not qualify. Look at the ingredients and see why. Orange flavoring and sugar water do not cut it so I suggest Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Citronge; all reasonably priced and all made with the real essence of orange.

Margarita madness ensues with the advent of spring and can include a bevy of drinks with any number of fresh ingredients. Fruits, citrus and herbs all come together to create something beautiful and tasty. I listed all of my margaritas recently in a post on National Margarita Day but some favorites bear mentioning again; mostly because I don’t get how National Margarita Day can be in February. They are a summer drink if ever I had one…and now is the time to plan ahead!

Blood Orange Margarita

Second only to the original; I LOVE this Blood Orange Marg. Not just a pretty face; it’s so damn tasty!

Jalapeno MargaritaI used Jalapeno tequila too…so perfect.

Margarita Watermelon

You have to try this; so easy, so fun and SO good!

How about some more from friends all over the web? I thought you would say yes!

And really…what’s the point of all this goodness without some food?

Black Bean Nachos from Aggies Kitchen (Photo by Aggies Kitchen)