If I tell you the inspiration for this week’s post, then I am going to have to admit to something. It involves a certain guilty pleasure of mine that I blame on the year I flew Jet Blue more than I ever would have cared to due to a family illness.
If you fly Jet Blue, then you know about their in-flight, real time televisions, and if you’ve ever cared for a loved one who is ill, then you can also appreciate that when/if you are able to take a break, it’s nice to have something mindless to occupy your time.
For me, it was Bravo TV and you guessed it, those Housewives we love to hate. Or is it hate to love? I’m still deciding.
This franchise of shows is so dramatically opposed to my personal life, and full of fiction itself that it makes for mind numbing, forget whatever you are worried about “entertainment”. Don’t think less of me.
I’m not proud that my guilty pleasure has survived for a few years, but if it hadn’t, I might never know what a skinny margarita was! The ingredients for it were captured in a flashback to an episode of RHONY (fans will know what that means and I hope there are a few of you out there), when they showed Bethenny Frankel, famous for coming up with the idea of a skinny margarita that has made her a multi millionaire, ordering one at a restaurant.
When I visited Amuleto Mexican Table that you may recall I reviewed here on the blog, I asked the bartender if she could make me a margarita with just silver tequila, a splash of cointreau and lots of fresh lime juice (aka, a skinny margarita). I felt so housewifey let me tell you!
The margarita she made me was dee-lish, and I didn’t know it at the time, but it is on their menu as their Don Julio Margarita that they make with Don Julio Blanco. It was so tasty that I asked her for the proportions she used and I am sharing it with you today.
The whole concept behind the skinny margarita is to have you step away from the super sugary mixes that they sell in the stores (or that you make on your own) that result in way too many calories per drink not to mention massive headaches. This recipe is light in sugar, and it is small in quantity but it is mostly alcohol so it’s something you can put in a small glass with lots of ice and sip slowly. If you want a bigger pour, then by all means double or triple the quantities and pour as you see fit. But remember, that tequila has a way of sneaking up on you so be careful!
I made these for my dinner guests last weekend and there were thumbs up all around from men and women and I was encouraged to put them on the blog so you can make them too!
Salt or no salt, there is nothing like a margarita, especially on Cinco de Mayo which is today! I hope you whip up a batch of these tonight!
Enjoy!
I’ve provided the recipe for a single margarita and also to serve a larger group…
Use a clear tequila for this drink for best results…
Did you know George Clooney has his own brand of tequila? I’ve never tasted it, but I bet it not only tastes good, you look very cool drinking it. When I drink tequila (which honestly isn’t that often), I like Patron. Do you have a favorite?
Have fun!
Cinco de Mayo related Recipes:
Salmon with Orange-Avocado Salsa
One Year Ago: One-Step No-Churn Coffee Ice Cream
Two Years Ago: Zebra’s Bistro and Wine Bar (now closed)
This "skinny" margarita is named as such because it relies on a touch of sweetness from the Cointreau, foregoing the sugar laden bottled or homemade mixes. The recipe makes a small drink with just 2 ounces of alcohol (the standard), and 1 ounce of juice but it is strong because it is mostly liquor! You can stretch it by adding a splash of seltzer if you want. I've provided a recipe for a crowd that multiplies the single serving by 8. If you want to serve a larger drink you can divide this mixture into 5-6 servings if you like. You be the judge but remember, this is tequila!!! Enjoy it either way!
Ingredients
- For One Margarita:
- 1 1/2 ounces Silver Tequila
- 1/2 ounce orange liqueur such as Cointreau
- 1 ounce freshly squeeze lime juice (about 1 juicy lime should do)
- Ice cubes
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Optional seltzer
- For a Crowd:
- 1 1/2 cups Silver Tequila
- 1/2 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (8 juicy limes)
Instructions
- Fill a small cocktail glass with ice. Add the tequila, cointreau and lime juice and stir (measure using a glass measuring cup). Garnish with a lime wedge. If you want, you can finish it off with a splash of seltzer.
- If you are serving a crowd, mix the tequila, cointreau and lime juice in a mason jar and chill until ready to serve. Stir and serve in small cocktail glasses filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
- You can salt the rim of your glass if you'd like by rubbing it with some additional lime juice and dipping the rim in kosher salt.
Yum! Will show Dave:)
Let me know what he thinks!
That pink Himalayan salt is very healthy too, so I love it here with your awesome Skinny Sip!!! Loved this post, once again!
Thank you, Lucy!
Loved this post. My favorite tequila is 100% Agave Casamigos. Happy Cinco de Mayo🍸!
Thank you Jayne!
Val, what are the pretty pink/coral colored pebbles on the tray that the drinks are sitting on? Beautiful presentation and color combination with the lime.
Hi Suze, it’s Pink Himalayan salt!