Walter’s Maple Margarita

Ingredients

2 oz Tequila

3/4 - 1 oz Cointreau or Grand Marnier

1.5 oz Lime / Maple Syrup Mix

1/2 Lime Wedge

Directions

Add into tin, ice, shake all n strain into fresh iced glass already garnished. Should be seamless. Shake. Strain. Set in front of guest. No putzing with rims, garnishes, straws …

Notes

Here’s the back story. Sugar n citrus is mixed equal parts to make a ‘sour mix’ common in many drinks. Why there are so many commercial marg mixes n sour mixes?

This recipe is heavy on the syrup. Here’s a secret… the juice gives body but not the true flavor. Like chefs, the zest is the key. When making drink squeeze lime wedge n expose oils in the skin. Shake with drink.

Another common mistake is starting the drink by adding ice, pouring ingredients and building, garnishing… all while alcohol is melting and diluting ice. Common mistake. You control dilution, add ice last. Shake n strain over new ice. Remember…

Citrus is shaken. Liquor is stirred.

(From a craft cocktail perspective. ) James Bond Martinis the exception as some like super chilled martinis and ice chunks.

If you recall, Bethany Frankel had the brand of margs called Skinny Girl. I was the one who made the drinks when she was in Ciao Bella pitching the idea to liquor reps. Patron Silver, splash Coin, splash lime juice n wedge. She had me make nine of them for her. She was very nice n they all came up after n thanked me.