Blackberry Margarita

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 5 minutes
• total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 c. granulated sugar

1/4 c. water

1 1/2 c. fresh blackberries (about 6 oz.)

1 whole lime, plus 4 oz. fresh lime juice

1 tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tbsp. kosher salt

8 oz. blanco tequilla

2 oz. Cointreau (orange liquor or triple sec)

Ice

Fresh blackberries, for serving

Directions

Syrup

In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil, whisking frequently. Add blackberries and crush with a potato masher or the back of a spoon. Return to a boil, then remove from heat.

Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof liquid measuring cup, pressing on solids with a spoon to help extract all of the juice. (You should have about 3/4 cup syrup.) Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.

Margaritas

Finely grate 1/2 teaspoon lime zest from whole lime onto a plate, then cut zested fruit into wedges.

Add sugar and salt to lime zest, rubbing zest into sugar and salt to combine. Run a lime wedge around rim of 4 glasses, then dip rims into sugar mixture.

In a large cocktail shaker or jar, combine blackberry syrup, tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and vigorously shake until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.

Divide margarita among prepared glasses. Top off with more ice. Garnish with fresh blackberries and lime wedges.