Best Margarita Ever

 
The Texan insisted we cap off our beginning of spring Tex Mex fiesta (grilled fajita recipe here) with hand squeezed margaritas. Honestly, I didn't understand what the big deal with making hand - squeezed cocktails was - isn't the mix, what a margarita is supposed to taste like? Nope. Not at all. Words simply cannot describe how this cocktail will change your view of what a good Margarita is. Up until last night, I was a frozen margarita devotee - now, I'm rooting for the hand-squeezed on the rocks team, big time. While this does take a little more work than pouring mix and Tequila into a glass, it is very well worth the extra effort. This margarita is everything your taste buds could dream of, because it is certainly more than they would know to ask for - it's tart, yet sweet and smoother than a baby's bottom. Plus, you get to play Mad Men style and use a cocktail shaker - how chic or manly or whatever adjective there that makes you feel the coolest. Plus, it's got tons of Vitamin C from the citrus, so it's practically good for you - right? :)

Notes:

• Patron Respasado is the ideal tequila for this cocktail, but use what you like or have.
• You can make your own simple syrup: 1 part sugar to 1 part water, heated in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Or you can buy it.
• I always use Kosher salt for rimming, it is flakier with just a hint of brine.
• Just go make it, right meow.

Best Margarita Ever
           Makes 2 large margaritas or 3-4 small ones.

5 limes
4 lemons
 Per cocktail:
     3.5 oz. Citrus Juice
     1 oz. Tequila
     1 oz. Triple Sec
     1.5 oz. Simple Syrup
 Ice
Salt, for rimming

Take one lime and cut a thin lime slice for each glass you plan to use. Juice the remainder of that lime and all of the other lemons and limes; pour all of the juice into a designated container and strain out the seeds.

Pour 1 - 2 tablespoons of salt onto a small plate. Run one of the already juiced lime halves around the edge of your glass. Roll the edge of your glass on the salt plate to rim the glass. Cut a small incision into your lime slice and place it on the rim of the glass. Repeat as needed.

Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice. For each cocktail, add the per cocktail amounts listed above. Shake vigorously. Strain and serve in prepared glass. Repeat as needed.