Ina's Margaritas

Um ... yeah.  Ina doesn't mess around when it comes to her cocktails.  On Friday, I tried to hastily put together a happy hour with some of my coworkers and although I was sad that it didn't work out, I couldn't be sad for long ... I decided I would go home and make margaritas.  And since I've been trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup, I couldn't just break into the mix that I have lingering in my fridge (which is perfect for Margarita Cupcakes.).

So I went to the Food Network website and put "margarita" in their search engine.  A zillion recipes were spit back at me, but of course my beloved Ina's was one of the unfussiest of the bunch.  (After the week I've had, I don't really want to mess with making simple syrup - hear what I'm sayin'?)  And although you could argue that juicing five limes and a lemon is fussy, I wasn't really fussed.

Ina Garten's Margarita Recipe
from FoodNetwork.com

• 1 lime, halved
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 limes)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
• 1 cup Triple Sec
• 3 cups ice
• 1 cup white tequila

If you like margaritas served in a glass with salt, rub the outside rims of six glasses with a cut lime and dip each glass lightly into a plate of kosher salt.  (Yeah - I so skipped that ... I ran the glasses I was using - a Mason jar and a pint glass - under the tap until they were moistened and then I went a little overboard on the salt factor.  But it was sooo worth it!)

Combine the lime juice, lemon juice, Triple Sec, and ice in a blender and puree until completely blended. Add the tequila and puree for 2 seconds more. Serve over ice.  (Another note ... I was so excited about margaritas that I added everything at once and then I blended.  I don't know that it makes a difference.)

If you want the recipe for frozen margaritas, you'll have to go to the website.  I'm all about margaritas on the rocks.

Another note ... I have to be honest, when I first tried this drink I told my husband that it was strong enough to put hair on his chest (to which he answered, "I already have hair on my chest.") .  So I'm warning you - Ina Garten isn't no Sandra Lee with her frou frou cocktails - that lady knows how to mix her margaritas.  I also wondered if I shouldn't cut it with a little simple syrup.  But no - this was one hell of a good drink.