The Flying Kitchen

A fancy cocktail that’s just a little off-the-beaten-path.  Fresh rhubarb sugar syrup is so easy to make and adds just a little bit of extra to a strawberry margarita.  Frozen strawberries are used in this drink as they make the whole concoction extra slushy.  The garnish makes this drink memorable.  All in all, a delicious, special and cooling drink for any occasion.

The History of the Margarita:

The Margarita is a relatively new cocktail, originating in Juarez, Mexico in 1942. Like many great inventions, it came about by necessity. Legend has it, a lady walked into a bar named “Tommy’s Place” and asked bartender Francisco “Pancho” Morales for a Magnolia (a cocktail made with brandy, cointreau, and egg yolk and champagne). Remembering only cointreau from the recipe, the bartender improvised, created a new cocktail and named it after the margarita flower.

A Classic Margarita:

The classic version of the Margarita is made of silver tequila, lime juice, an orange flavored liqueur and agave nectar or simple syrup as an optional sweetener. It is originally made in a shaker and poured over ice.

Gold vs. Silver Tequila:

Silver tequila is the classic addition to a margarita, although gold tequila is perfectly acceptable as well. Silver tequila is stronger in taste and many prefer it mixed with other flavors, while gold tequila is preferred straight. Silver tequila is bottled soon after distilling and many times carries a lower price point than gold tequila – which is aged and carries more notes of flavor.

Variations of Margaritas:

There can be as many variations of margaritas as the imagination allows. The main ingredient is tequila, but the orange flavored liqueur can be replaced with any liqueur. A frozen margarita is a margarita with ice or other frozen component that has been pulverized into a light, icy treat.

This “Thanksgiving Margarita” made of pumpkin puree, amaretto and all-spice is a great example of the innovation that the classic margarita has inspired.

Margarita or Daiquiri?

This question has an easy answer: Margarita = tequila. Daiquiri = rum. Each has lime juice in their most classic iterations, and each are delicious!

Orange Flavored Liqueur:

There are three main types of orange flavored liqueur used in margaritas: Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier. I usually have Grand Marnier on hand as I cook with it occasionally, so that’s what I’ve used in this recipe.

Frozen strawberries vs. fresh:

I used frozen strawberries in this recipe, as they give so much flavor to the finished product. The frozen strawberries are pureed in a high powered blender to create a perfect “slushee” without the dilution ice would impose.

Rhubarb Simple Syrup:

Simple syrup is a main ingredient in many cocktails. The ratio of water to sugar in simple syrup is an easy-to-remember 1:1. To make a simple syrup infused with a flavoring like fruits, edible flowers or even spices, simmer the fruit/flower/spice with the water and sugar – strain through a sieve and chill.