In honor of spring, I’m posting my hot-off-the-press margarita recipe. Day one of spring came and went and it was awesome. However for New Englanders, day two greeted us with snow like some kind of sick joke. We made it one day. ONE day. More reason to drink I suppose?
I don’t know what it is, but in the past 6 months I’ve been on a real tequila tear. I’ve been a whiskey guy my whole life but now I have a new outlook on the margarita. I swore by margarita mix for years until I tried using real lime juice and simple syrup instead (margaritas from scratch). The result is a “real” margarita that is less sweet, less artificial tasting and less acidic. I think I’m slowly forcing turning my friends and family into believers.
I’m also branching out to darker tequila for the first time since college (my Jose Cuervo gold days are a sad comparison, I know). I traditionally use blanco or silver, but I’m finding reposado and añejo tequila is growing on me. The flavor is slightly different because it is aged in oak barrels. It gives a unique oaky, burnt flavor you won’t find in blanco tequila (which isn’t barrel aged).
On the other hand, elderflower liqueur is becoming very popular. I’ve been experimenting with different ways to use it since I always have it in the liquor cabinet for my cucumber gin martini. Why not use elderflower in place of triple sec? It work’s the same but gives a different color and unique flavor compared to your typical margarita.
That’s how I arrived at the reposado elderflower margarita. Nothing crazy, but a combo of my two new go-to staples. I’m very curious to hear your thoughts on the “real” versus sour mix margarita.
Prep Time:
Yield:
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PinIngredients
- 2 ounces reposado tequila
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 3/4 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- For the salted rim, take a lime wedge and coat the rim of a rocks glass. Dip in margarita salt, rotating until coated.
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a cup of ice. Shake vigorously and pour straight into the salted glass with the (now crushed) ice from the shaker. Garnish with a lime wedge.
So…because I really don’t like sweet drinks, I made this without the simple syrup, and I topped it off with a small amount of lemon seltzer. YUM! Really refreshing. 🙂
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Elderflower liqueur is awesome however once you substitute triple sec or Cointreau it’s not a margarita. You created an awesomeness drink but not a margarita. Also try agave syrup instead of simple syrup. Cheers!
Love this combo! Have never been fond of mixes, so steered clear of most margaritas. But tried a “French “ margarita a few months ago and fell in love!
Have been using elderflower , vodka, club soda, lime juice as my favorite spring/summer cocktail.
But this with an aged oak barrel tequila is really great.
Yes! Once you go fresh ingredients you never go back. There is nothing better than a marg on a hot Summer day ????????
Any recommendations for the specific tequila and liqueur??? will something like jose cuervo especial gold and chase do the trick or will i need something a little bit more up market in the tequila department for a good taste?, thanks in advance
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Hey Jack – I would up the ante on the tequila. Don’t need a premium tequila unless sipping on the rocks, but I like Milagro, Espolon, 1800, and Hornitos in that order (all reposado). All middle shelf tequilas that are a step above without breaking the bank.
Also Cointreau is nice for triple sec. Can use anything though.
Your recipe calls for silver tequila but the title says reposado? I love reposado in a margarita, but it’s a special occasion margarita, since it really ups the cost! We love our tequila, but usually sip the pricier brands. Anyway, I’m excited to try this! We’ve been doing “from scratch” margaritas for a decade now, but I find simple syrup a pain to mix up, so we increased our orange liqueur. I LOVE the Patron orange liqueur. Now I use a ratio of 1:1:1/2, with the half part being lime juice. See what you think!
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Whoops. Good catch… I usually try to find good deals on reposado – typically don’t go top shelf. Try Milagro. I like your style. I’m a tequila on the rocks guy myself. I will check out the patron orange liqueur!
This sounds interesting, I’d love to try the elderberry liquor in a margarita.
Yes – a nice twist
Saw recipe on fb & being a tequila JC Reserva de la Familia thought I’d check it out. Sounds amazing & with spring (hopefully) moving into gear here in MN will give this a try.
The perfect spring marg. Let me know what you think.
I have been making “clean” margaritas for the last few years. I could never go back to a mix. I use fresh lime juice but even a mix of lemon and lime juice is good too. Your friends will come around! I haven’t tried St. Germaine in a margarita but I sure will. It is so delicious I have been reinventing many a cocktail with it.
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They are so much better. I’ve never tried the lemon and lime combo – I’ll have to give that a shot.