Frozen Blackberry Margarita

We have been having fun this summer branching out from our usual cocktails. I am not usually partial to a frozen margarita, but this slushy one was tasty and had such amazing color! Perfect for a summer night.

This recipe was adapted from the New York Times. We made them a little sweeter by using agave nectar instead of simple syrup, and slightly less potent. Fabulous.

Yield: Makes 1 large or 2 small drinks

• 6 large blackberries, plus 1 (or more) to garnish each drink
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• 2 T lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 2 T agave nectar or simple syrup
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• mixture of coarse salt and coarse sugar for glass rims
• lime wheels, optional

1. Blend all of the ingredients (except garnish: salt, sugar, lime wheels) until smooth and frosty. (I used a Vitamix.)
2. Run a lime wedge along rims of margarita glasses and dip into salt-sugar mixture.
3. Pour the blended drink, garnish with blackberries and lime wheels, if desired.

The Perfect Margarita

When I was pregnant with my son, I was craving a margarita– of course I didn’t want one in January after he was born!! 🙂 A margarita is the perfect warm weather cocktail– especially with guacamole. Although I am usually pleased with any margarita, this is our favorite recipe– a blend of many. We have simplified it recently to use agave nectar in place of simple syrup– so much easier when making just one or two cocktails.

• 1 1/2 oz tequila
• 3/4 oz cointreau or triple sec
• 1 1/2 T lime juice
• 1/2 T simple syrup or agave nectar
• coarse salt
• ice

1. Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Serve on the rocks in lime juice and salt rimmed glasses.
3. Enjoy!