Posted 28 December 2012 - 02:29
First one on the list:
The Best Damn Margarita.... Ever!
Use the 4/3/2 (oz) ratio: 4 parts fresh squeezed lime juice, 3 parts Simple Syrup (sugar water), 2 parts Tequila (no need to use the Top Shelf stuff when making mixed drinks, save that for sipping over ice) (Margaritavile (Jimmy Buffet), Pepe Lopez, Jose Cuervo works fine)
but don't use the bottom shelf stuff.
Simple Syrup: 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, Heat on low-mid heat, stir until sugar is dissolved, Remove from heat, or reduce to make it more concentrated.
Juice the limes (for 4oz juice it takes about 1 1/2-2 limes), add 3oz Simple Syrup and 2oz Tequila and a handful of ice into a Shaker glass. Shake it HARD for about 30 seconds, with a strainer (or not, depends on if you like lime pulp). Pour into a rocks glass with a salted rim, with these, the salt makes a huge difference, helps cut the tartness. Makes 1 serving.
I knew cooking with fresh herbs/spices made a huge difference Vs the bottled stuff, but never really thought enough to apply it to drinks. I had the wife and my mom try them, They also said it was one of the best 'ritas they'd ever had. I even did a blind taste (yes with actual blindfolds, they both knew what I was making and I wanted a honest answer) test using Daily's mix. Handmade won out: had more lime smell/taste, and more of a general balance of salty/sweet/tart.
Yes, it's alot of work, but it's cheaper and tastes FAR better than the mixer they sell for 3x the price. For the lazy people, Rose's Lime Juice would probably work in a pinch though.