Margarita is one of the classics in a bar's repertoire. If "Cocktails" appear on the menu, this exotic drink is almost guaranteed to be there. No wonder – it's delicious and refreshing, looks impressive in its dedicated glass, and is incredibly easy to make! Where did the margarita come from, what is most important in its preparation, and how – knowing the basic recipe – can you prepare its flavored versions with fresh and frozen fruits you have on hand?
Exotic "daisy"
The ingredients used to make a cocktail often suggest which part of the world its roots can be found in. The margarita drink, made with tequila – alcohol from fermented blue agave juice – is, of course, associated with Mexico! Local folklore features many legends about its origin: love stories, sensational tales, patriotic narratives, or those taking place at wild parties. It is not known whether the word "margarita" referred to a woman's name – the equivalent of the Polish "Małgorzata," or to beautiful-smelling marguerites, which were allegedly mistaken for daisies in one myth. There are many versions – all of which share the common theme of taking place in the early 20th century in sunny Central America.
Recipes for this drink – whether it's a strawberry margarita or a classic one – are incredibly simple. Just three or four ingredients combined in an elegant glass are enough to feel like you're on an exotic vacation and serve your guests refreshment in a unique style!
Unique margarita glass
Just like with other classic drinks, there are specially shaped margarita glasses. They are distinguished by a very wide bowl, which can accommodate all the ingredients and keeps the drink cold for a long time, and a long, thin stem, which prevents the drink from being warmed by hands. It's worth having a set of these beautiful vessels in your cupboard – definitely made of crystal-clear glass, so you can admire the colorful contents!
How to make a margarita, both classic and fruity, and what is the recipe for combining the drink with beer? How is a margarita glass decorated?
Fruity margarita recipes
The margarita recipe has remained virtually unchanged for almost 100 years. It requires tequila, Cointreau, and fruit juice in the right proportions. The key to success – serving a perfect drink – lies in the details. Four secrets, whose discovery will ensure that every margarita recipe is perfectly executed, achieving maximum flavor, are:
- The right tequila - there are several types of this alcohol, which are related to aging time and color. The best will be "silver tequila," which is a cheaper, colorless variety. Before preparing the drink, it should be chilled well – preferably in the freezer.
- Delicious fruits - in both classic and flavored versions, citrus fruits are a significant ingredient, though not the only one. They should be juicy and very ripe. When squeezing limes, care must be taken to ensure no seeds get into the juice, while strawberries, mango, watermelon, or raspberries must be blended into a smooth mixture, free of fibers and chunks.
- Impressive crust - the "frost" on the rim of the glass not only greatly affects the taste of the cocktail but also looks fantastic. To make it, rub the rim of the glass with the remains of a squeezed citrus fruit or dip it in a teaspoon of juice poured onto a plate, and then, while still wet, dip it in salt sprinkled on a flat surface. This is the traditional version – depending on preference, the crust can also be made of sugar or, for example, coconut flakes, which perfectly combine with strawberries, banana, and pineapple in a margarita.
- Crushed ice - makes the margarita refreshing and enhances its fruity flavor. You can crush ice cubes with a special mallet or put them in a blender and quickly blend them.
All margarita recipes are quite similar. After practicing the following few, everyone will surely be able to make their own versions from fruits available at hand – not only exotic ones, but also those growing in Polish gardens: raspberries, currants, cherries, or peaches. For those who know and love margaritas, a fascinating variation will be its combination with beer in the spectacular Coronarita drink!
Recipe for a classic margarita
To prepare a classic margarita, you will need:
- 40 ml tequila;
- 20 ml Cointreau;
- 20 ml fresh lime juice;
- crushed ice.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a shaker, including some crushed ice. Strain through a sieve into a glass decorated with a crust and filled with the remaining ice.
Recipe for a strawberry margarita
To prepare a strawberry margarita, you will need:
- 40 ml tequila;
- 20 ml Cointreau;
- 20 ml lime juice;
- 30 ml strawberry purée – fresh or frozen fruits blended with a tablespoon of brown sugar;
- crushed ice.
Pour alcohol, lime juice, and previously prepared strawberry purée, along with some crushed ice, into a shaker. Mix thoroughly. Decorate the glass with a crust and add the remaining ice, then pour the contents of the shaker.
Recipe for a watermelon margarita
To prepare a watermelon margarita, you will need:
- 100 ml tequila;
- 50 ml lime juice;
- 50 ml Triple Sec;
- 800 g watermelon;
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar;
- crushed ice.
Blend all ingredients – except for the ice – in a blender. Put crushed ice into a pitcher, then pour in the thoroughly blended liquid and mix everything with a spoon. This prepared watermelon margarita should be served immediately after preparation.
Recipe for a Coronarita
To prepare a Coronarita, you will need:
- 2 classic margaritas;
- 1 bottle of Mexican Corona beer.
Prepare two drinks using the classic margarita recipe above – pour them, along with crushed ice, into a straight pint glass or a large red wine glass, previously decorated with a crust. Thoroughly wash and open a bottle of Corona. With a quick and confident motion – so that no air bubbles get into the neck – submerge the beer in the cocktail. As the drink is consumed, gently lift the bottle above the surface to top up the glass with beer.