Hi Friends! I bring you this off-schedule post because it’s National Margarita Day (!!!) and how could I possibly miss that?!
I have no idea why February 22 holds such high honors as to be the representative of tequila, lime juice, and salt but it does and today is the day so let’s not ask too many questions. I will chime in to say that it probably has something to do with tequila companies not wanting margarita consumption to wane in the winter. As if?!
Margaritas hold such a dear, sweet place in my heart. They lie somewhere below my children and somewhere above guacamole, it’s real and true. Remember all the margaritas we’ve made in the past? There was the mango one with the spicy chile rim, the crushed strawberry margarita from Cinco de Mayo 2015, oh, oh, and the honey grapefruit margarita from waaaaayyyy back (don’t look too closely at that photo, it’s not my best work).
A few weeks ago I had some fresh-pressed apple cider hanging out in my fridge and no one was drinking it so I had this brilliant idea to reduce it into a thick, über-appely syrup that could a) last longer and b) be mixed into cocktails. Which tells you two things about me a) I won’t throw food away to save my poor family’s soul and b) I’m constantly thinking about cocktails.
Lucky us the cocktail idea was really stellar. The syrup is like an apple bomb in liquid form and adds sweetness, floral apple flavor, and a little tang all at once, making the need for other ingredients fairly unnecessary. Aside from your requisite tequila and lime juice the apple syrup has got it all locked in. You can salt the rim if you’d like but I think a little sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top adds just enough.
Apple Lime Margarita Recipe
Tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and pressed apple cider syrup is a cold-weather twist on this classic summer cocktail. Cider syrup will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to a month. Use any extra over pancakes, oatmeal, or ice cream.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Ingredients
For the Cider Syrup:
- 2 cups fresh-pressed apple cider (not hard cider)
For the Margarita:
- 2 limes
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce cider syrup
- flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
For the Cider Syrup:
- Pour cider into a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook until syrup is reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
For the Margarita:
- Squeeze the juice of 1 lime into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add tequila and syrup and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is beaded with sweat.
- Strain into an ice filled glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Sprinkle salt over the top if desired.
One More Thing
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i haven’t had many margaritas, but i’m sure this one would make me quite happy–that cider syrup sounds magical!
Oh my gosh Grace!! You need more margaritas in your life. This one is a great place to start.
This sounds really good! And I love those perfect ice cubes.:)
Aww, thanks Chica!!