2 posts tagged “friday happy hour”

Ok, I have a confession.  I make a crappy margarita.

What’s that you say?  You live in San Diego, 30 miles or so from the border – you of all people – with your love of cocktails and spicy Mexican food this should have been something in your arsenal a long time ago.

I agree.  But mine always tend to come out too tequila-y, too sweet, too lime-y, too something where you can tell it’s just not right.  I won’t use a mix, because a) that’s cheating, and b) they vary from too sweet to just plain nasty.

But no more with the bad margaritas!

My rescue came in the form of the latest Imbibe Magazine (your guide to liquid culture…), which has some new summer drink recipes.  The other night we tried one that we LOVED and instantly declared The. House. Margarita. This. Summer.

Zanahorita

Zanahorita

Mix the following in a shaker with ice:
2 oz reposado tequila
¾ oz cointreau or triple-sec
1 oz carrot juice
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz orange juice
½ oz simple syrup

Shake vigorously and strain into a glass with fresh ice (salted or not, depending on taste) and THEN sprinkle the top of the drink with ground cumin. (Yes, that’s right -- cumin -- don’t argue with me)

The carrot-cumin-tequila-salt-citrus blend is both incredibly smooth and gives this drink a rare exotic feel.

Trust me -- it might sound a little strange.  It’s bueno.

When I was in my 20s, and you were at a wedding reception (and we're going to one this weekend...) and wanted to get a mixed drink, it was a screwdriver.  It was easy and tasty, but it hardly conveyed any sense of sophistication.  It's the default for a lot of folks that feel "on the spot" when having to come up with a mixed drink.

Well, I say…put down your screwdrivers!

Tonight’s Happy Hour drink is: Agent Orange

Agent Orange

2 oz vodka
1 oz Grand Marnier
½ oz Patron citronage (or cointreau)
½ oz orange juice

Mix the ingredients together with ice.  Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass.  Smooth citrus flavor, with a remarkably small amount of actual orange juice (that's a veiled word of warning).

Happy Friday!!