I've tinkered and experimented for weeks developing my favorite margarita
I like smoke. I like complexity. I like a cold, salty and refreshing beverage. In the words of Fabrizio Romano -- here we go.
Until the summer of 2023, I’d never made a margarita in my life.
I don’t even have a good explanation as to why. It’s just not something that ever fascinated me in any way previously. However, in the last few years, I can vividly remember when I’ve had a good one.
Unfortunately, I can remember how many terrible ones I’ve had even more.
I hit my breaking point when I went to hang out at the park with some parents to watch the kids play while we sipped something adult to pass the time.
“Bring something good to drink,” was the request I received while driving to the rendezvous point.
Now, knowing that there would be moms and dads around, I figured I’d select something that could be palatable to most sippers. So, instead of beer, or cider, or any other spiked beverage in a can you can think of, I got premade margaritas in a bottle.
It was terrible.
It tasted like a bad attempt at Mountain Dew, but it had a kick to it. Like when a bootleg grocery store had a store brand of soda you’ve never heard of, but you know what they’re going for. One time to RDC World. (Language alert for those easily offended.)
The bad thing is, the parents drank it with no hesitation. What’s worse, no one even commented about it. Do you know why? Because parents will drink damn near anything so long as some amount of alcohol is in it and their kids are being momentarily pacified. Hell, I forgot about how terrible this drink was until The Boy decided to go down the slide backward. Yuck.
I knew what I liked in a margarita. It needed to have the following:
Complexity
Smoke
Refreshing
After consulting my favorite sources and some weekend experimentation, I came up with MY favorite margarita. If you’re looking for something fruity, sweet and light, this likely ain’t for you. This isn’t to say I concocted something that is overly potent and/or over-the-top, but this is built for Eddie Maisonet, III.
Turns out, everyone I’ve given it to seems to really like it. Might just be parents looking for another momentary distraction. Either way, I’ll take it.
Recipe: Ed’s Smokey Mezcal Margarita
Serve: An old fashioned or double rocks glass
Garnish: Lime wedge and salt
Ingredients:
1.5 oz — Espolon Anejo Tequila (My preference, use what’s within your budget)
0.5 oz — Bozal Mezcal Ensamble (Del Maguey or El Silencio might be more widely available, but I like Bozal a lot)
0.75 oz — Cointreau (Grand Marnier is a fine option here as well)
0.25 oz — Agave nectar
1.0 oz — Fresh lime juice
Make: Rim the glass with salt. Shake the ingredients with ice, then strain into the glass over ice (I prefer a big block cube). Garnish with the lime wedge.
A few things here.
This is heaven.
If you love scotch, bourbon or any form of whiskey, this is up your alley. You get that smoke from the mezcal and you get that barreled flavor from the aged anejo tequila. Tap in that orangey liqueur and you can find elements of an old fashioned in there somewhere.
If you really want to add fruit to this drink, you could make a strawberry syrup or a blackberry puree and make this a frozen drink, but that sounds like a lot of extra work. I don’t have time.
Making honey syrup versus using agave syrup (which is premade) is a fine alternative. (Warm-up 3 parts honey to 1 part water, and microwave for 45 seconds or before it starts to bubble.)
I’m not here to shame anyone on how to make cocktails. If you need to use bottled lime juice, that’s fine. If you use Gran Gala or Triple Sec instead of Cointreau or Grand Marnier, all good. Yes, fresh is best. Sometimes, premium is better. Your palate is all that matters.
I’m not done experimenting with this margarita. But I’m open to other suggestions and ideas. How do you make YOUR favorite margarita? Drop a comment and let me know.