Happy National Margarita Day! First, can we just admit that this should be a national holiday, and second, why is it in February? Iāve always thought it should be on a warm summer day, or closer to Cinco de Mayo, but I suppose if you are on a warm beach somewhere, than February works just fine. Either way, I thought I would share with you my favorite Margarita Recipe.
Over the years I have become known for Grapefruit Margaritaās, and my friends often request them, because they are so good. I wish I could take credit for coming up with them, but they are from my favorite celeb chef, The Barefoot Contessa. I could cook from her cookbooks every night of the week, but we will save that discussion for a whole other blog post.
You can find my favorite Margarita recipe in How Easy is That? Personally, it is my opinion that everyone should own the entire collection of Barefoot Contessa cookbooks because they are that good! Here is the recipe and my tips for making it perfect every time.Ā
Ingredients
- 1 lime cut in wedges, optional
- Kosher salt, optional
- 1 cup ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 limes)
- 1 cup triple sec orange liqueur
- 3 cups ice
- 1 cup white tequila
- If you like a salt rim on the glasses, rub the lime around the edge of the glass and then dip the rim of each glass lightly in a plate of kosher salt. Set aside to dry
- Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and ice in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Pour into a large pitcher and stir in the tequila. If you’re not serving the margaritas in salted glasses, stir 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the pitcher of margaritas. Believe me, it will make a difference!
- Serve ice cold.
My Tips:
- I have had friends try this with different grapefruit juices, but I promise you there is only one that truly makes this recipe awesome and that is Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice. You can usually find it at your local grocery store. Of course, we are all tempted to use fresh-squeezed from Whole Foods, but trust me it just doesnāt taste the same.
- Use FRESH lime juice, donāt buy the bottled lime juice.
- Even if you are making them for later, still make them with the ice in the blender and follow the instructions and then just put over ice at the time of serving.
- DONāT FORGET to add the kosher salt into the pitcher at the end. Ina is right in saying āit will make a differenceā.
- Pick a mid-range white tequila. You donāt need to spend a fortune since you are mixing it, but in my opinion, you never want to go too cheap with liquor unless you love a good headache.
If you need a great hostess gift to bring to a party, you can make a batch and bring it in this glass container from Ikea, (which at $2.99 you wonāt feel bad leaving it with the hostess). Another fun thing I did with this recipe for a cocktail showdown was had cocktail napkins with the recipe on it made at Shutterfly. You can really have fun with it!
What is your favorite Margarita recipe?
Never fail Ina!
I am a huge Ina fan. Her cookbooks will never let you down!
Yummm š this is making me salivate! Wish I had the foresight to stock up on this while I was stockpiling for covid today in the french supermarket here.. but I donāt think Iāll find ocean spray grapefruit juice, Iāll have to hunt it down at the American store! Thanks šš» W for a taste of summer in the midst of Flu season February !
I will make them for us this summer! Cheers!
Cheers Whitney!
I made a honey margarita today and it was delicious.
fresh-squeezed lime
honey
tequila
triple sec
shake then serve over ice.
Yum! I am going to try that tonight – that sounds awesome and I have all the ingredients. Cheers!!!!