It appears that I have a theme going on this week - margaritas today and the Tres Leches cake from Tuesday - and yes, I did plan for this! Once I realized earlier this week that Cinco de Mayo was coming up, and I had already planned on making the Tres Leches cake, I knew it was a no-brainer to share a delicious margarita recipe.
Like I've mentioned before, going to a Mexican restaurant and ordering a couple rounds of margaritas with my carnitas plate is just about my favorite thing ever. Without a doubt, a traditional margarita is my drink of choice, mainly because tequila is my favorite liquor.
Additionally, there's another tequila drink that I'm very fond of, and it actually is nowhere near as popular as margaritas are at Mexican restaurants here in America; that cocktail is the Paloma. A Paloma is tequila mixed with grapefruit soda (or juice) and lime juice, and poured over ice. So based on the ingredients, margaritas and Palomas are not too far off from one another, the only difference being that Palomas are always made with grapefruit, and margaritas are always sweetened using either orange liqueur/triple sec or agave nectar.
So today I'm sharing a margarita recipe that is quite similar to a Paloma: you'll get the subtle sweetness that a margarita promises from the agave nectar, as well as the delicious grapefruit flavor from the Paloma. I also decided to step it up a notch by making this a "spicy" margarita by including a few slices of serrano or jalapeño chile peppers. If you're not a fan of spiciness, I totally understand because I know it's not for everyone; you can just leave the peppers out entirely. It'll still be an amazing cocktail!
Just in case you didn't know, cocktail recipes are given in measurements of ounces. To make this easier for yourself, I strongly suggest in purchasing a jigger, which is the proper way to measure out cocktails. Jiggers may come in a variety of sizes, but the standard one (and the one I own) gives you 1 and 2 oz. measurements. Also, I want to make it clear that this recipe yields only one cocktail! So double or triple your measurements accordingly. Enjoy and please drink responsibly!
Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas
Makes 1 large cocktail
Ingredients
kosher salt, for the rim
3 oz. silver tequila
3 1/2 oz. fresh or store-bought grapefruit juice
1 1/2 tbsp. agave nectar (or triple sec)
2 oz. fresh lime juice
2-3 thin slices of serrano or jalapeño peppers (more or less, depending on how spicy you like it)
lime and serrano/jalapeño slices to finish
Directions
Salt the rim of your margarita glass, add ice and set aside.
In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, agave nectar, lime juice, serrano/jalapeño pepper slices, and a handful of ice. Shake the mixture for about 10 seconds (the longer, the more spicier the drink will be).
Strain the mixture into the prepared glass, and top with lime circles and/or more serrano/jalapeño slices, if desired. Sip and enjoy!