Margarita Party

It’s a Margarita Party!

Shake that next margarita party up with a Florida twist with these recipes from our favorite Sunshine State chef, Justin Timineri.

Watermelon Margarita

Yields 4 servings

• 2 tsp. natural sugar (for rim of glasses)
• 2 fresh limes, cut in halves
• 4 cups watermelon, seeded and cut in 2-inch chunks
• 2 tbsp. natural sugar
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 oz. tequila (go with 6 oz. for a stronger batch)
• 2 oz. orange-flavored liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• lime wedges for garnish
• watermelon balls, for garnish

Place 2 teaspoons sugar in a small dish. Rub rim of margarita glasses with 1 cut half of lime, and then roll glasses in sugar to coat. Place prepared glasses in the freezer until ready to serve drinks. Combine juice of limes, watermelon, 2 tablespoons sugar, tequila and orange-flavored liqueur in a blender and process until smooth. Fill blender with ice cubes and process until mixture is a slush consistency. Fill prepared glasses with margaritas; garnish each glass with lime wedge and watermelon balls on a skewer and serve immediately.

Passion Fruit and Orange Margarita

Yields 4 servings

• 4 oz. passion fruit juice
• 6 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• 2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. fresh-cracked sea salt

Prepare the glass by running a lime wedge around the rim. Invert margarita glass, and twist rim in salt. Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Pour passion fruit juice, tequila, orange liquor, orange and lime juices and vanilla extract in cocktail shaker. Shake the mix vigorously, 50 times or more. Pour into glass; serve chilled.

Strawberry Margarita

Yields 4 servings

• 6 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• 8 oz. fresh strawberries
• 4 oz. frozen limeade concentrate
• 6 cups ice
• 2 tbsp. fresh-cracked sea salt

Place ice in a blender and crush for 15-20 seconds. Add strawberries, tequila, orange liquor and limeade. Blend until smooth. Moisten rim of margarita glass with lime juice. Holding glass upside down, dip rim into salt. Pour the blend into the glass and serve.

*Recipe and images courtesy of Chef Justin Timineri and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Tools of the Trade

Become a master mixologist, or at least look like one, with the tools that make the trade.

• Muddler: This little tenderizing stick is a godsend and a must for any home bar. If fruity cocktails are in your future, the muddler is the only way to unlock fruits’ flavor.
• Handheld Citrus Juicer: Nothing beats freshly squeezed juice, but it can be a pain. Invest in a handheld citrus juicer; they are cheap and do the trick tout de suite.
• Cocktail Shaker: Don’t be a chump stirring your martini like a noob; purchase a nice shaker and become a master home barkeep.
• Jigger: This little apparati will make mixing the perfect drink as easy as pie. It’s equipped with 1½ oz. and 1 oz. cups for perfectly measured pours every time.

*Pictured available at Williams-Sonoma