Wake up winter with citrusy margaritas

Margaritas made with fresh winter citrus will delight your taste buds on National Margarita Day, February 22, 2021. If you love traditional lime margaritas, you are going to go bananas over blood orange, pomegranate, peach, mango and watermelon margaritas. No matter what the fruit flavor in your margarita a little citrus will give it a delightful kick of freshness.

The key to a really good margarita? Use fresh ingredients. Bottled margarita mix just won’t fit the bill on National Margarita Day. To make a traditional margarita that will impress your friends, start with fresh lime juice, add superfine sugar, Cointreau or other triple sec orange liqueur and tequila. Then decide if you’d like your margarita frozen or on the rocks and with or without a salted rim. It’s just that easy!

Did you know that “Margarita” is the Spanish word for Daisy? Daisies are not only a lovely spring flower, they are a classic category of cocktails which are made by combining lemon juice, base spirit, sugar and grenadine.

Of course, the type of tequila you use will determine the quality of the margarita. Taste of Home recommends looking for tequila that has 100% de agave or puro de agave on the label. Blanco or silver (clear) tequila is the better choice for margaritas because it has a bolder agave flavor that blends well with sharp citrus flavors.

Why are margaritas served with a salted rim? According to mash.com, salt helps to reduce any bitterness from the lime and tequila. It also has a mouthwatering effect because salt increases the flow of saliva. But salt is not the only way to decorate the rim of your margarita glass. Sugar is another popular choice to rim cocktail glasses. A chile salt and lime rim adds a bit of spice or try Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese 7 spice blend) on the rim of your margarita.

Rachel Ray suggests many fanciful margarita rims on her magazine website : Old Bay Seasoning and black pepper – pineapple margarita, cinnamon and sugar – cantaloupe margarita and cocoa powder – strawberry margarita. To rim your margarita glass, simply roll the glass rim in lime juice, then roll it in your favorite salt, sugar or seasoning.

Will you be enjoying a traditional lime margarita or a fabulous fruity margarita on National Margarita Day? Do you prefer frozen or on the rocks, salt or no salt on the rim?