The Best Margaritas You’ll Ever Have (according to Cup of Jo)

(Text and Variations from Cup of Jo)

You’ll need:
♠ Kosher salt or ground sea salt
♠ 2 ounces (1/4 cup) tequila
♠ 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
♠ 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh orange juice
♠ 1 teaspoon light agave nectar
♠ 1 lime wedge or round, for garnish

Pour a layer of salt onto a small plate (preferably one just slightly larger than the top of your margarita glass). Slice off a small piece of lime and run the wet edge of the slice along half of the rim of your glass. Dip the top of the glass into the salt at a 45-degree angle and roll it from side to side to catch the salt. Add ice cubes to your glass and set it aside.

Fill a small cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the tequila, freshly squeezed lime and orange juice and agave nectar. Put on the lid and shake for 30 seconds. Strain the liquid into your glass and garnish with a slice of lime.

VARIATIONS:
(Keep in mind that since the fruit contributes liquid and sweetness, you might want to reduce the amount of orange juice and/or agave nectar in the original recipe):
♠Muddle a few pieces of juicy fruit like strawberries, peaches, watermelon or mango at the bottom of your shaker before adding ice and the other ingredients. You can muddle up fresh herbs, like a couple of basil or cilantro leaves, for garden-fresh flavor or add a skinny slice of serrano or jalapeño pepper for heat.
♠ Add a splash of fruit juice to your shaker. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is one of my favorites because it cuts through the flavor of the tequila. Pomegranate or cranberry juice would be festive during the holidays.
♠For a frozen, fruity margarita, blend the basic margarita ingredients in a blender along with 1/2 cup frozen fruit (blueberries are perfect, but also try raspberry, pineapple or more) and a few ice cubes. Serve over a couple of ice cubes to slow the melting.
♠ Have fun with your rim salt. Mix in raw sugar or spices, like ground cinnamon or chili powder, to add an extra layer of complexity to your drink.

A few Jess notes:

I used sugar for mine, since I don’t really like alternative sugars, so I just used less.

While talking ingredient swaps,

When you shake that margarita in a shaker, SHAKE LIKE THE DICKENS! It helps cool the ingredients, take out any pulp from limes, and just blends it perfectly.