Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Perfect Margarita

Tequila. Just the word will make the biggest man in the pack coward into fetal position. It is a word that by definition deserves respect and by no means should be taken lightly.

I say this as margaritas are my favorite of all beverages. For you Yanks that read my blog, we have a phrase down here next to the border. "Frozen or on the Rocks?"

What I'm about to give you is a working recipe. It has been given to me three times over these many years and each time it has been a little different. There is a margarita scientist behind the madness and his name is J. Eric Lawrence. He has been mixing and tweaking on this beverage for the last 15 years and it is by far the best margarita I've ever had. Even if the concoction varies from time to time.

Now I will warn you. Like I said in my opening paragraph, this is not some lemonade drink. I've seen this beverage do some amazing things to some straight and narrow people. And the folks that ain't so straight and narrow? Man I'm not even going there.

 J. Eric Lawrence's Margaritas

For approximately 4 margaritas:

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (3-4 ripe limes)
2/3 cup premium tequila (Patron, Don Julio, etc.)
1/3 cup Cointreau
Splash of Agave Syrup (or simple syrup), about a teaspoon or so.
1 egg white (optional, but this is the old school way mixologists "stepped up" the feel of mixed drinks)

Pour in shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds or so.

Pour in salted glass with ice.

Top with a heavy splash of Grand Marnier and a lime wedge.

Enjoy yourself.

Illustration above titled: Bar Shrine by Dan Witz
www.danwitz.com

2 comments:

  1. I am wondering what the egg white does to it? I love my margaritas! I sure would hate to mess up some good margaritas by putting this in there and not liking it. What do you think?

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  2. Sharon -

    The egg whites really don't add to the flavor of the drink. It's a real old school way of adding some texture to it. It becomes more of a frothy drink similar to a Orange Julius. It's perfectly acceptable to leave it out if you want.

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