ORANGE BLOSSOM MARGARITA

Orange Blossom Margarita image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 45m

Yield 1 cocktail

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 ounces tequila, preferably a good-quality blanco
1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
1 ounce Honey Syrup, recipe follows
1/2 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
Kosher salt, for the rim of the glass, optional
1/2 to 1 teaspoon orange flower water
Mandarin orange with stem and leaf or orange slices, for garnish
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water

Steps:

Combine the tequila, lime juice, honey syrup and orange-flavored liqueur in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover the shaker, and shake well to combine and chill the ingredients.
Spread the salt in a flat dish. Dampen a paper towel with some orange flower water and run it along the rim of a margarita glass. Press the rim into the salt to coat. Strain the margarita into the glass. Cut an "X" into the bottom of the orange almost all the way through, leaving the stem end intact. Slide the orange onto the side of the glass as garnish, and serve.
Cook the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey is melted, about 2 minutes. Let cool completely. (The honey syrup can be refrigerated for up to a month.)