Whenever I think refreshing summer cocktails I always think of Cucumber Jalapeño Margaritas. The first time I ever had one I wasn’t exactly sold. The restaurant (I’m not naming any names) that made it actually made it sweet. Now, I hate to hate on someone else’s margarita but a Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita is definitely not meant to be sweet. It’s meant to be light and refreshing with just a hint of spice and orange.
How To Make the Perfect Margarita
Margaritas are actually a pretty easy cocktail to create. The components of a classic margarita are tequila, triple sec (of some type), and freshly squeezed lime juice. The question is–“How much of each?”.
The secret is all about proportion. The balance of the ingredients, jut like all other cocktails, accounts for the difference between a good drink and a bad one. The right amount of tequila, the right amount of triple sec, and the right amount of lime juice. Also, one of the best things about a margarita is that you can use the classic recipe, add different flavors to change the margarita, and you have a great cocktail.
Tequila
The primary flavor of a margarita is the tequila and it’s so important to make sure you’ve got the best stuff you can get your hands on. Make sure to look for the “100% de agave” legend on the label of your bottle. If you don’t find this label then up to 49% of your tequila could actually be fermented cane sugar. And don’t let the “gold” in the name or in the liquid fool you; it’s caramel coloring added to make the colorless tequila more appealing. Look for a Blanco or Reposado tequila to make your margaritas with. These are usually 100% agave tequila. A few good choices of tequilas are Casamigos, Casa Noble, or Patron.
Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier
The next big question in the perfect margarita is to either use triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier. Triple sec is a liqueur made from the skins of oranges. It ranges in alcohol content from 15% to 30%, depending on the brand. Cointreau is a proprietary orange liqueur made from sweet and bitter orange skins and is somewhat stronger, at 40%. Grand Marnier is Cognac based with distilled bitter orange essence, and sugar. It also has an alcohol content of 40%. All are good choices, it just comes down to how you want your drink to taste. I usually always use Grand Marnier or Cointreau.
Limes
Last but not least are the limes. Always, always taste the limes before mixing it into your drink. Since the flavor of limes can vary considerably depending on the different varieties, seasons, weather conditions, and their origin. Freshly squeezed lime juice should be refreshing, not caustic and makes your throat burn.
What makes this margarita so special is not only the high-quality ingredients, the refreshing addition of the cucumber, but also the little bit of heat from a few jalapeño slices. It’s definitely the star attraction to this Cucumber Margarita and they give it that bit of extra something that makes this margarita so delectable.
AuthorloulousucreCombine the diced cucumber and jalapeno slices in a shaker and muddle until the juices are released. Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice and pour into a glass rimmed with coarse salt. Garnish with cucumber, lime, and jalapeño slices.
Ingredients
Directions
Combine the diced cucumber and jalapeno slices in a shaker and muddle until the juices are released. Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice and pour into a glass rimmed with coarse salt. Garnish with cucumber, lime, and jalapeño slices.
Enjoy!
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