Margarita Mixer Base

Necessity IS the "Mother of Invention".  I needed not to have bought so many limes for what was required in a recipe... but they were only available in none or beaucoup, so what to do? 

Also, it's getting to be the time of year when we yearn to be outside grilling, gardening or having sand between our toes.  Nothing goes better with the latter, during the first and after the middle than... a Margarita.  You can make the base mixer and keep it in the refrigerator until time to celebrate.  I recommend using it within a week, so invite a few friends over and Enjoy!












Make sure to wash the limes before squeezing.

Each lime should yield about 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice.

Margarita Mixer Base

Yield: Makes 5 cups

2 cups water
1 cup sugar*

Dash of salt
2 cups fresh lime juice (about 8 limes)

Zest from 1 lime

To make the simple syrup - combine water, sugar and salt in a large saucepan.  Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.  Bring to a boil.  Cool syrup.

Mix simple syrup, lime juice and zest.  Store in refrigerator covered, chill until cold. 

*May substitute Splenda…if making this substitution, no boiling required.

For 1 drink mix 3 shots margarita mix, 1 1/2 shots tequila, 1/2 shot orange liqueur.  Serve over crushed ice, with or without a salted rim and garnish with a lime wedge.

Ruby Red Martini (LoriTini)

This evening, Neil and I shared our side porch with neighbors Lori and Bailey Baynham.  I had prepared the Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup in anticipation of creating a special beverage for the occasion and it did not disappoint.  I made it as presented below (LoriTini) and also tried pouring the syrup into a champagne flute topped off with (you guessed it) champagne.  Either way it is delicious.

LoriTini

Yield: 2 Tini’s

Ingredients
¼ c Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup
¼ c fresh squeezed lime juice
¼ c vodka
¼ c orange liqueur
½ c ginger ale
Limes for garnish

Method

Combine syrup, lime juice, vodka, and orange liqueur in a shaker with ice and shake briskly for 10 to 15 seconds.
Pour into 2 glasses
Add ¼ c ginger ale per glass
Garnish with lime wedges

 

Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup

Yield: 12 ounces

Ingredients

4 Ruby Red Grapefruits (2 cups juice strained)
1 cup granulated sugar

Method

Place strained juice in a non-reactive pan, heat and reduce by half leaving 1 cup. 
Add sugar and continue to heat and stir until all sugar is dissolved.
Cool and place in a non-reactive container, chill until ready to use.

Enjoy
~CGJ