grapefruit habanero margaritas

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I'm a total sucker for holidays (especially ones where heavy drinking is the main festivity), and this one is certainly no exception; how could I not celebrate the heritage of a country whose food, culture, and people are so amazing?  

In honor of this day, I put a little twist on one of Mexico's most delicious and beloved beverages, the margarita, by infusing the tequila with a spicy habanero pepper and mixing it with light, fresh grapefruit juice and agave nectar (which is also used to make tequila, and is much healthier than sugary pre-made mixes).  The grapefruit juice's sweet-but-tangy flavor mixed with the salt and the little bit of heat from tequila is a sure crowd pleaser.  I hope you all have a wonderful day partying it up Mexicana style.. Salud!!

Habanero Infused Tequila

Take half a habanero pepper (remove the seeds if you want a more mild flavor), and push it into a full bottle of tequila.  Infuse for 2 - 4 hours depending on how spicy you want it (I didn't remove the seeds and let it infuse for 2 hours, and my tequila certainly packed some heat!).  

Note: the habanero is one of the spiciest peppers around, so remember to wash your hands throughly after you handle it!

Habanero Grapefruit Margarita

Serves 4

Ingredients:

- 14 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice - about 3 medium grapefruits (or you can just buy it from your local store; Indian River is the best if you can find it!)

- 6 ounces habanero infused tequila

- 2 tablespoons agave nectar (I put a little extra since grapefruit is a little tart for me)

- 1 lime wedge

- Margarita salt (found by the pre-made mixes)

Run the lime wedge around the rims of your glasses, then dip and twist them in margarita salt.  Fill the glasses with ice.  Pour in 1 shot of tequila, followed by the agave, and then the grapefruit juice.  Stir well to evenly distribute the agave.  Enjoy!

p.s. You can also make these in a blender if you prefer frozen margaritas - I think I'll try that next time!

xx

A