Blood Orange Margarita's

The weather here in N FL is warming up and timing is perfect for a cooling cocktail. A dear friend of mine gave me this recipe and I have since changed it up a bit, a little tweak here and there. I should also say that I am a stickler for using excellent ingredients, it does make a difference in the taste. For example, my choice of tequila is Patron but you may prefer something different. The first time I made these I used freshly squeezed blood oranges but there is a very short season for blood oranges. We can get them from California but for only about a month. I have since found that Fresh Market and Whole Foods carry pure blood orange juice imported from Italy and I can get it just about year round. Blood Orange Margarita's 1 cup tequila 1 cup triple sec 2 1/2 cups Margarita Mix 2 1/2 cups blood orange juice 1/2 cup simple syrup lime squeeze in each glass To make the simple syrup place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan on low stirring constantly until the sugar has melted. I always make a cup since it will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks and it must cool before putting these together. Mix all ingredients in a tall pitcher. Rim a margarita glass with a cut lime and dip the rim in kosher salt. Place some ice in the glass, pour margarita into the glass, add a slice of lime and enjoy. These are delicious. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This will probably serve six. I used Stirring's Margarita mix but some would use Jose Cuervo. I have made them with fresh blood oranges when they are in season but found that Fresh Market carried Saint Volcano 100% organic blood orange juice in the veggie area and I could not tell a difference between that and freshly squeezed blood oranges. Fresh Market has in the area where they sell milk a pasteurized blood orange juice that works just as well also. When I make simple syrup I do 1 to 1 meaning 1 cup but taste the mixture before you add in the simple syrup. Everyone has a taste difference and I only put in 1/2 cup to this mixture and it was awesome. The next time I put in even less and liked it even better, I think I like a more tart cocktail. At first did the rim salt on the glasses but decided that I preferred not having it with this particular margarita. I normally do when I order a regular Margarita when I am out somewhere since that is my cocktail of choice. Didn't even use my pretty blue margarita glasses the second time I made these but always in a pretty piece of stemware. It definitely tastes better in an elegant glass.

If you like a really good margarita you should try this. They have become a favorite of mine especially on a warm afternoon. They are so refreshing. Enjoy the remainder of your day, Carolyn