Recipes

Classic Margarita

The 2 : 1 : 1 standard.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
• 1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Optional: ¼–½ oz agave syrup to taste
• Coarse salt and a lime wheel for garnish

Method

1. Rub a lime wedge on half the rim of a rocks glass and dip it in salt.
2. Add tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice to a shaker with ice.
3. Shake hard for about 10–15 seconds, until the tin is frosty.
4. Strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Joey’s note: Fresh lime, every time. Bottled juice is how margaritas lose their way. Shake a full 15 seconds, then let it sit a moment. It’s not going anywhere, and neither are you.

Tommy’s Margarita

The modern classic from Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco. No orange liqueur, just agave.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco or reposado tequila (100% agave)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz agave syrup (agave nectar thinned 1:1 with water)
• Salt rim optional, lime wheel for garnish

Method

1. Add tequila, lime juice and agave syrup to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake hard until well chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Joey’s note: With no orange liqueur to hide behind, the tequila does all the talking. It’s the best way to get to know a new bottle. Sip slowly and listen.

Spicy Margarita

Fresh jalapeño heat with a Tajín rim.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• ¾ oz agave syrup or orange liqueur
• 2–3 thin jalapeño slices (seeds out for less heat)
• Tajín or chili-salt rim, plus a jalapeño slice to garnish

Method

1. Rim a rocks glass with Tajín or chili salt.
2. Gently muddle the jalapeño slices in the shaker.
3. Add tequila, lime juice and agave syrup with ice. Shake hard.
4. Double-strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a jalapeño slice.

Joey’s note: Taste a sliver of the jalapeño first, because no two peppers agree on how hot they are. Muddle gently. You want warmth, not a fire drill.