Salty, tart, crisp and delicious, these margaritas on the rocks, made with all fresh ingredients, will have you thinking Margaritaville. Perfect for upcoming Cinco de Mayo or as a cool refreshing cocktail when the summer heat hits. Serve over crushed ice or throw it in the blender for a cool frozen version.
So, I bet you never stopped to consider what Cinco de Mayo really is and truthfully I hadn't really known myself until yesterday. It is actually celebrated more in the US by Mexicans and Americans alike than it is in Mexico.
The holiday is the celebration of a victory during the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862 against the French army. However, it was a a short-lived victory as the French army eventually went on to take much of Mexico and Mexico City in reparation for war debts.
Today in the US and the small town of Pueblo, Mexico there are parades and festivals with traditional Mexican food and beer on hand (and I'm sure a few margaritas). It is now more about celebrating the Mexican way of life than about the long ago battle.
So in honor of Mexican St. Patrick's Day I wanted to make a homemade healthier margarita without the bottled mixes and added sugars. Not only is it healthier but more salty, tart, crisp and delicious too!
It starts with tequila, duh, to which you add fresh lime juice and fresh orange juice. I then add some triple sec and Cointreau and, if you like yours a little sweeter, a squirt of agave nectar. I don't feel that it's necessary since the orange juice and Cointreau sweeten it up just perfectly.
Shake it up and pour it over crushed ice and you've got yourself one heck of a margarita on the rocks!
These margaritas are also great thrown into a blender with ice and served frozen. That's like my dream drink while sitting poolside in some tropical paradise. I wish I was there right now!
So get ready and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with margaritas on the rocks, or try a Watermelon Margarita or even a Lemonade Margarita, and a few of our favorite south of the border dishes like Chicken Enchiladas, Ropa Vieja, Fish Tacos and, of course, the best Gaucamole recipe ever! 🙂
Try a Texas Ranch Water cocktail for a refreshing drink made with tequila, lime, and sparkling mineral water.
Salud!
MARGARITAS ON THE ROCKS
Ingredients
- ¼ cup tequila, Jose Cuervo & Silver Patron are definitely gluten-free - just look for 100% agave under ingredients
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional)
- crushed ice
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a shaker with crushed ice.
- Prepare glasses by first filling with crushed ice to chill glass. Dump out the ice and rub the edge with slice of lime then dip into coarse salt.
- Fill glasses with margarita and enjoy.
- To make frozen margarita, add ingredients to blender then add ice cubes one at a time until desired consistency. Prepare glass as suggested above and pour in frozen concoction.
This post has been updated and was first published on April 25, 2018.
