Our house has become somewhat famous for the margaritas that happen here. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, jug of margarita mix combined with cheap tequila kind of drinks. I’m talking about fresh ingredients at their peak, lots of fresh squeezed citrus, and high quality tequila – the good stuff! They’re fabulous and a little dangerous. In a good way of course.
My husband has become quite the bartender over the years and I have become completely and thoroughly spoiled by his barkeep skills. It’s a rare occasion that I get a drink anywhere that I feel is on par with his creations which is why I enlisted him as my expert consultant when I came up with this tasty margarita.
To create fresh, seedless blackberry puree, process a container of fresh blackberries in a blender until smooth and then pour the puree into a wire mesh colander over a small bowl. Use a spoon to push the liquid through the mesh, leaving the seeds behind.
For a pretty (and tasty) touch, combine some sugar and lemon zest for the rim of your glasses. Just run a cut lemon around the rim of the glass to moisten it and roll the edge of the glass around in the sugar/zest mixture.
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE BLACKBERRY PUREE:
• 1-1/2 to 2 cups fresh blackberries rinsed and drained
• 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
FOR THE MARGARITA:
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 lemons use Meyer lemons if possible
• 4 teaspoons blackberry puree
• 4 ounces prepared lemonade homemade or store bought
• 4 ounces good quality silver tequila
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Process blackberries in a blender until smooth. Place a wire mesh colander over a small bowl and pour the blackberry puree into the colander, pushing it through the wire mesh and into the bowl with the back of a spoon. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar to the seedless puree and stir to combine. Taste and add additional sugar if desired. Cover bowl and refrigerate puree until ready to make cocktails. Can be made several days in advance.
2 Place 1/4 cup sugar on a small plate. Add the zest of one lemon and mix to combine. Run the cut side of a lemon lightly around the rim of your margarita glasses and then dip the moistened rim into the sugar/zest mixture to coat the rim. Fill each glass about half-way with ice.
3 Fill a cocktail shaker about 3/4 full with ice. Add 2 teaspoons of the blackberry puree, 2 ounces lemonade, and 2 ounces silver tequila. Squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Place cover on shaker and shake vigorously. Strain through the cocktail shaker over ice. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a blackberry and serve.
4 Repeat with remaining ingredients for second cocktail.
From Valerie’s Kitchen
How Fancy!
