Classic Margarita

As I've mentioned in a previous post, Margaritas = Yum. Triple Sec? Not such a yum equivalent. I've read a number of articles about Margarita taste-offs, and have read about - and experienced - the dilemma faced by cocktailians; higher-end orange liqueurs bring an extra layer of flavor to a Margarita, but they aren't sweet enough to balance the cocktail properly. Meanwhile, triple sec is a "Johnny-One-Note," but is sweet enough to do the job. And of course, none of them are organic. This sounds like a job for - Super Cocktail Woman! Or something like that.... bear with me.

So, I set out to make an organic citrus mixer to use in place of Triple Sec. Many blends and iterations later, ta-da! Artemesia Quattro was born. A delicious blend of oranges and tangerines (from my friend Patty's yard) Bearrs lime from my yard, and grapefruit from Brad and Darryl's yard. Why, all of those ingredients come from Berkeley, half of them from a three block radius! I infused them in organic spirits, and sweetened it all with agave nectar, which of course is what tequila is made from, so it makes for a harmonious combination.

Behold! A truly superior Margarita.

Artemesia Classic Margarita
serves two

3 full jiggers Tequila
2 full jiggers Freshly squeezed lime juice
1 full jigger Artemesia Quattro

Measure all ingredients into your cocktail shaker, add 4-5 ice cubes, and let sit while you salt the rims of your cocktail glasses.

Place a couple of tablespoons of kosher salt on a saucer. Rub the rim of your glasses with a cut lime, and roll the outer rim of the glass in the salt. Now, shake shake shake the cocktail, counting to 20 Mississippi. Then pour into your glasses, and enjoy. Marcona almonds are a tasty treat with this.