There are few drinks more appropriate for summer than the margarita.
This summer, Columbus residents won’t have to travel south of the border for one of these fruity, refreshing cocktails. These recipes step away from traditional flavors and provide some delicious ways to mix up the standard fruit margarita.
Watermelon-Mint Margarita
Courtesy Chile Verde Café
- 5 large mint leaves
- 2 oz. tequila
- ¾ oz. lime juice
- 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
- Fresh watermelon juice
Fill a glass with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, agave nectar and watermelon juice. Then, muddle the mint leaves and add them to the glass before shaking well so the liquids and mint leaves are mixed together. Garnish the drink with a mint sprig and a sugar rim.
Pineapple-Chile Margarita
Courtesy Bon Appétit Magazine
- 4 (¾- to 1-inch) chunks peeled pineapple
- 2 slices red jalapeno with seeds
- ¼ cup 100 percent blue agave silver tequila
- 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ Tbsp. simple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. Cointreau or other orange liqueur
- 1 cup ice cubes
Mash the pineapple chunks and jalapeño slices in a medium bowl. Mix with tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and Cointreau, and stir to blend well. Strain the mix into an ice-filled glass and enjoy.
Roasted Grape Margarita
Courtesy Sweet Life Blog
- 1-2 lbs. seedless grapes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Juice from 1 orange, plus 1 Tbsp. zest
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup Cointreau
- 1 cup tequila
- Lemon wedges
Spread salt on a small plate. Use lemon wedges to wet the rims of glasses before dipping them into salt. Then, put the glasses into the freezer. Toss the grapes with olive oil, salt, pepper and orange zest. Place the grapes on a baking sheet and roast them in a 450-degree oven for 10 minutes. Place the roasted grapes and orange juice into a blender and blend until smooth. Strain and combine the mix with lemon juice, Cointreau and tequila. Garnish with a lemon slice or grapes for a special finish.
Chipotle-Grapefruit Margarita
Courtesy Cooking Channel
- 1 Tbsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. chipotle powder
- 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 oz. silver tequila
- 1 oz. orange liqueur
- 1 small pinch chipotle powder
- 2 grapefruit wedges
Mix kosher salt and chipotle powder on a plate. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and add the grapefruit juice, tequila, orange liqueur and chipotle powder. Cover and shake the mix for about 30 seconds or until chilled. Use the grapefruit wedges to moisten the rim of a glass, and press the rim into the mix of salt and chipotle powder. Strain the margarita into the glass and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Taylor Weis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Related Stories
-Chile Verde Café’s Polaris location
-A rundown on the best unique Mexican food in central Ohio
-Patriotic drinks for your Independence Day party
-Unusual liquors on local drink menus – including mezcal, which can be used for margaritas
