I have distressing news for America’s rum distilleries and egg nog manufacturers. According to many local bartenders I’ve talked to, the preferred mixed drink this time of year is the same one everybody drinks in the dog days of July: the margarita.
So in the spirit of SoCal Christmas, I’d like to talk ‘ritas today. (Hey, with the Al Gore weather we got last weekend, an ice-cold Maggie sounds like just the ticket.)
My biggest problem with the margarita is boredom. Yes, they’re delicious, but after 25 years of drinking some variation of the Cadillac – invariably a high-end tequila such as Patron with Gran Marnier and a ho-hum bottled margarita mix (a short cut that most bars take) – I’ve been casting around lately for some variations.
My wife and I have recently perfected an alta-’rita (I like to call it the Hodgarita) that is much less costly to make than your standard Cadillac. And every one of our friends who tastes it is instantly hooked.
Our ‘rita tequila of choice is El Jimador Reposado, the best-selling tequila in Mexico. The San Francisco Examiner’s Ryan Kelley hit the nail on the head with this description: “The taste evokes mowing the lawn on a sunny day; a lawn that’s next to a garden of fresh agave roasting in the arid sun.”
I’ve tasted better reposados, but at this price ($19.99 for 750 ml at Hi-Time in Costa Mesa) it’s an excellent deal and exactly half the price of a similarly sized bottle of Patron. And it’s got a pleasant, distinctive flavor profile that doesn’t get lost amid the other strong taste elements in a ‘rita. That’s crucial.
Here’s the second secret for a successful Hodgarita: put aside the Gran Marnier and Cointreau and buy some St-Germain instead. It’s a newish liqueur produced by the same family that brought us Chambord, and it’s based on the flavor of elderflowers. It’s delicate, floral and sweet without being cloying. Many people familiar with the taste and smell of lychee say it’s similar.
Best of all, it’s less expensive ($29.99 for 750 ml at Tustin’s Total Wine & More) than either Gran Marnier or Cointreau. Those two pricey old dowagers have crowded out the margarita-topper competition for too long, don’t you think?
Finally, the mix must be made with fresh limes – preferably from somebody’s backyard, just picked. We sweeten our mix with agave miel, not sugar – it’s a syrup derived from the same plant that’s used to make tequila, so they blend perfectly. You can buy it in most health food stores and grocery chains such as Whole Foods, and it’s about the same price as liquid honey.
Recipe:
2 oz. El Jimador Reposado tequila
2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 oz. agave miel
½ oz. St-Germain
Rub a lime wedge around rim of a chilled martini glass and salt it (if desired). In a shaker filled with ice combine tequila, lime juice, agave and St-Germain. Shake vigorously. Pour. Salud!
Anyone have another alta-‘rita suggestion? Let me know!
Catch up on previous Booze on a Budget stories:
The perfect Christmas gift: a new margarita recipe is a post from: Fast Food Maven