Spring has sprung in New Mexico, and with warm breezes and sunshine come cravings for refreshing margaritas. This is sure to quench your margarita desires. It almost makes you feel like you are at a spa!
We were inspired to make this by a gorgeous looking cocktail using lime-jalapeño syrup made by Muddle & Wilde. We made our own simple syrup and added fresh cilantro to the cocktail for an even brighter, more complex flavor. A delicious, fragrant rim salt with lime zest & cilantro makes this pure margarita heaven! (Syrup & rim salt recipes below.)
The smoky, earthy character of our NewMexcal smoky joven agave spirit is balanced by the crisp, herbaceous cucumber, tomatillo & cilantro juice. The jalapeño-lime syrup, fresh lime juice and our Orange You Glad to See Me? artisan triple sec contribute a little heat, citrusy tartness and just enough sweetness to enhance all the flavors.
Serve in a salt-rimmed, ice-filled glass and you are on your way to pure happiness here.
See recipe below.
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CUCUMBER TOMATILLO CILANTRO MARGARITA RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
2 oz NewMexcal Smoky Joven Agave Spirit
1 oz Orange You Glad to See Me? artisan triple sec
2 oz cucumber-tomatillo-cilantro juice**
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz lime zest & jalapeño simple syrup* (prepare ahead or use Muddle & Wilde)
garnish (optional, but so good): sliced tomatillo & lime zest-cilantro salt rim***
YUMMY THINGS TO PREPARE AHEAD:
* LIME ZEST-JALAPENO SIMPLE SYRUP
Make this several days to several hours ahead.
1 cup granulated cane sugar
1 cup water
zest of 1 lime
1 jalapeno, seeds and veins removed (if you want it really spicy, leave in the veins and seeds. Removing will minimize the heat while keeping the flavor.)
Add sugar and water to small pan and stir. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Once sure has dissolved, increase heat and bring just to boil, then turn off heat. Remove from heat and add lime zest and jalapeño. Allow to steep until cool (overnight or several hours.) Strain and chill. Keeps up to 2 weeks in refrigerator.
** CUCUMBER, TOMATILLO & CILANTRO JUICE
Makes enough for 3-4 cocktails
5-6 mini cucumbers (washed and sliced)
3-4 fresh tomatillos (skin removed, rinsed and sliced)
handful of cilantro stems and leaves (washed - this is a great use for cilantro stems!)
juice of 1 lime
Add all ingredients to blender and puree to liquify. Strain to remove solids, using sieve or colander. Use immediately or chill in fridge until ready to use, up to 2 days.
*** LIME ZEST-CILANTRO SALT
1/4 cup sea salt or kosher salt
zest of 1 lime
small handful of cilantro leaves, washed and dried
Add ingredients to food processor. Process to combine. Store in a jar.
TO MAKE THE COCKTAIL:
Here are the ingredients again, so you don't have to scroll up. :-)
2 oz NewMexcal Smoky Joven Agave Spirit
1 oz Orange You Glad to See Me? artisan triple sec
2 oz cucumber-tomatillo-cilantro juice**
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz lime zest & jalapeño simple syrup* (prepare ahead or use Muddle & Wilde)
garnish (optional, but so good): sliced tomatillo & lime zest-cilantro salt rim***
Prepare double old fashioned or highball glass by rubbing rim with lime wedge and dipping in the prepared salt. Fill glass with ice.
In a shaker with ice, combine NewMexcal, Orange You Glad to See Me?, cucumber-tomatillo-cilantro juice, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake and strain into prepared glass. Garnish with tomatillo slice, cucumber slice, lime slice, and/or cilantro leaf.
SALUD!