Best Citrus Margarita With Smoky Chile Salt Recipes

Whole Citrus Margaritas image

Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network

Time 15m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 navel oranges, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 lemons, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 limes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/4 cup Cointreau
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1 1/2 cups good quality tequila (recommended: 100 percent agave)
10 cups ice
Fine salt, for the rims of the glasses
10 lime wedges

Steps:

Put the oranges, lemons, and limes through a juicer. Pour the juice into a large pitcher. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Then stir in the Cointreau, Triple Sec, and tequila.
To serve: Pour salt onto a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the top of each glass and dip the glass in the salt. Fill each glass halfway with ice and pour in the juice mixture. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.
Chef's note: Farm freshness is the key here. Look for the citrus that is mostly in season and adjust the recipe. Tangerines, Meyer lemons, and key limes all have amazing flavor if you can find them.

Smoky Serrano-Mint Margarita image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 serrano chile
3 ounces fresh lime juice, plus wheels for rims and for serving
1 teaspoon pink salt or flaky sea salt (optional)
1 teaspoon sumac (optional)
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
2 tablespoons packed fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for serving
6 ounces 100 percent-agave silver tequila
3 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier

Steps:

Place chile directly over a gas flame, or in a dry cast-iron skillet preheated over high and cook, turning a few times, until blackened all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let cool completely. Rub a lime wheel around the rims of 2 rocks glasses. Combine salt and sumac on a small plate.
Dip rims of glasses into salt mixture to coat. Halve chile lengthwise; remove stem, ribs, and seeds. Divide chile, sugar, and mint leaves evenly between 2 glasses; gently pound with a muddling stick or the handle end of a thick wooden spoon until sugar dissolves and chile breaks down into tiny pieces. Fill glasses halfway with ice. Divide tequila, liqueur, and lime juice evenly between glasses; stir to combine. Garnish each with a mint sprig and lime wheel, and serve immediately.