Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita

Subject: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Slag
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 08:44 PM

So, I'm trying to figure the best way to rime a glass with salt. How do you get an even coating that does not flake and fall off or isn't so solid that it will go through the old dishwasher two or three times before disappearing.

As for the Magarita itself, I am a firm believer that you have to tone down the lime with at least a third as much lemon and maybe even a little kumquat juice and a splash of Grand Marnier. Ay ideas?

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 09:33 PM

People have their favorite recipes. I prefer the old classic recipe.

Basic 3-2-1 mixture-
1 1/2 oz white (silver) tequila
1 oz triple sec
1/2 oz fresh lime juice.
Combine the ingredients with ice in the cocktail shaker. Strain into the rimmed glass.
Some prefer a 4-2-1 mix.

Rimming
I saw a bartender at the Warwick in Houston do it as follows.
Set the rim of the glass on a wet towel.
Set the rim of the glass on a tray with a layer of salt.
Remove and fill with the mix.

I have tried several methods and found the above rimming method to be fast. None of my attempts were ever perfect.
It has been a long time since I was in margarita country, and a long time since I mixed one.

This thread will bring back memories.

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 10:35 PM

Another way to rim the glass-
Wipe rim with a cut lime. Dip into coarse salt, 1/8 inch.
A Mexican ('Key') lime is preferred. The drink will be less sweet than if the usual large lime is used.

Many stories about the origin, but most seem to come from the 1930s.

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Slag
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 11:26 PM

Tried the above. Todate the best I've managed is wetting the rim with triplesec and sugar solution with lemon juice, makes it nice and tacky and the lemon counters the sweet. Liberal coarse salt but when I freeze the glass the salt wants to let go. Maybe it's too much to hope for, frozen glasses but on these hot days, hey! every little bit helps! si?

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 08:42 AM

Margaritas (and I'm famous for my margaritas which I keep mixed up in a bottle in the fridge at all times) are easy as 1-2-3 --

1 part triple sec (the stickiest ingredient)
2 parts preserved lime juice (I prefer Jamaica Gold which I buy by the case -- see, I'm SERIOUS! -- from a local food service distributor)
3 parts tequila (least sticky ingredient which "washes" the stickier stuff's residue into the mixture)

Rub a wedge of fresh lime (or a bit of lemon juice, or just plain water) around the rim of the glass and dip into coarse salt. Squeeze the lime into the glass, put in some ice cubes if you so desire, and fill the glass with the margarita. Frozen glasses are nice, but who has the time?

Linn, the Margarita Maven

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: ClaireBear
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 12:10 PM

Looking forward to tomorrow even more now. It was already going to feature margaritas fairly heavily; now it may well be awash!

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 12:22 PM

Frozen glasses seem to be a rather new twist. I don't remember margaritas served in them in the 1950s. Not in an older drinks book I never threw out. Chilled, yes.

I sorta like that triple sec idea for the rim. Not heard of that before.

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 12:37 PM

egg white?

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 05:08 PM

I confess that I have adulterated the noble margarita. I hadn't found a tequila I liked with margaritas, maybe because I'm too cheap to buy the really expensive tequila (and I haven't really liked the expensive ones I've tried).
So, I finally gave up. I use Trader Joe's margarita mix and brandy on the rocks, with a bit of water so it's not too sweet. And I know it's not right, but I like it.
Ahhhhh.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Slag
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 05:38 PM

Bat (Margaritia) Goddess, are you married? and , so what? I like your style! Joe, how plebeian! I bet it's Paul Mason brandy!

I've never had much use for alcohol in the past, sans those occasional Margaritas, but with all the aches and pains (not to mention old Arthur Ritus, SHHH! I said DON'T MENTION HIM) ...well, now I understand Granny and her Rheumatize medicine! Ole!

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 06:10 PM

Try Patron Silver. Clear and colorless as a mountain spring!.
It's good on the rocks. Haven't tried it in a mix, but it should be excellent.

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 10:21 PM

Actually, if the tequila is REALLY good, don't waste it in a margarita...SIP it!

I usually use Tortilla Gold -- most inexpensive that the New Hampshire Liquor Commission's (state) stores carry. It serves the purpose and is inoffensive. The flavor comes from the lime juice (and I really can't stand Rose's) and the dash of triple sec (orange). I prefer plain triple sec to fancy Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

Occasionally I've made margaritas with mezcal or half-and-half mezcal and tequila. I think mezcal tastes peppery -- like nasturtiums. I've read references to cumin or cayenne salt which might be nice to try sometime, but I'm running right out to try 'em. A splash of orange flower water might accentuate the triple sec, too.

I find Patron Silver overpriced and boring. (Sorry.)

Joe, my dear, that's probably a nice tasting drink, but it's not a margarita. (I'm a margarita purist -- mixes don't count at all.)

Yes, Slag, I've been married to Curmudgeon (Tom Hall), margarita enabler, for the past 28 years. I discovered margaritas at Tortilla Flat, a now defunct Portsmouth, NH watering hole, with my then co-worker Lily Rivera a couple months before I met Tom at the Christmas party at Fishtraks recording studio (that makes this a music thread, right?) December 15, 1980. Concertinas and banjos were involved. I also sing Shel Silverstein's "Pour Me Another Tequila, Sheila".

Linn

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Slag
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:34 PM

Alas! Well, count your blessings Curmudgeon! As for sipping the Silver, Yes! Excellent! Even doing the old salt-on-the-wrist thing with a wedge of lime, although I think that was really invented for bad tequila/pulque.

Margarita=Greek for "pearl" as in "cast not your pearls before swine" good advice!

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:48 PM

That should read, "but I'm NOT running right out to try 'em'...

Linn

Subject: RE: Tech: The quest for the perfect Margarita
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 06:18 PM

Most bartenders use and recommend lower price tequilas, most of which have flavors which will affect the taste of the margarita.
The same is true of expensive tequilas.
My 'perfect' margarita may not please others; we are all different.
However- I will not refuse any good average margarita!