February 22nd marks National Margarita Day — a celebratory occasion for one of the most popular cocktails around the globe, a status it has earned for good reason.
The margarita is a well-balanced drink that is traditionally salty, citrusy and bold. A good margarita is versatile; it can be blended into a slushy, infused with chilis or sweetened with fruit to suit any occasion.
With the winter blues upon us, it’s the perfect celebratory drink to cheers the cold winter away and welcome warmer days ahead — and it’s popular: It has been estimated that 25 per cent of the cocktails poured around the world are margaritas.
Corby Spirit and Wine recommends starting any margarita with high-quality tequila. From there, choose your favourite variation of the margarita, whether that’s a tropical twist, a spicy kick, cold and slushy or a classic margarita, try one (two, or all!) of the recipes below.
- The Classic Margarita — Tequila, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur are the holy trinity when it comes to making a proper margarita. Prep your glass by rimming with lime juice, followed by salt. Fill a shaker with ice and add 1 ounce Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila, 1 ounce triple sec and ½ ounce fresh lime juice. Shake until chilled and strain into a glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Tropical Coconut — Every day feels like summer with this coconut cocktail in hand. When choosing a cream of coconut, opt for a sweetened cream rather than regular coconut cream or milk which will be less flavorful. Begin by rimming the outside of your glass with cream of coconut followed by toasted coconut flakes. In a shaker filled with ice, add 2 ounces Olmeca Altos Blanc Tequila, ½ ounce of triple sec, ½ ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce cream of coconut and shake for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into glass and enjoy.
- Spicy and Hot — With a perfect balance of spice and citrus, this Chili Lime Margarita packs a punch with chili-infused tequila. In an airtight jar add 1 ½ ounce Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila, 3 Serrano and 2 Fresno chilli peppers (sliced in half lengthwise) and allow to sit for 5-8 hours, depending on your preferred spice level. Next, mix 4 tsp salt, ½ tsp chilli powder and ¼ tsp cayenne powder in a shallow bowl. Rim your glass with a lime wedge followed by spice mix. In a shaker filled with ice, add 1 ½ ounce of chili-infused tequila, 1 ounce triple sec, ½ ounce fresh lime juice, ¾ ounce agave syrup and shake. Strain over a prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
- Frozen Strawberry – Slushy and refreshing! When blended, frozen margaritas take on the flavour of any fruit, so feel free to replace strawberries with the frozen fruit of choice. To make a frozen margarita, in a blender, add ½ cup ice, ½ cup frozen strawberries, 1 ½ ounce Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila, ½ ounce triple sec, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce simple syrup and blend until smooth. Pour into a mason jar, garnished with a strawberry or mint leave, and enjoy.