Watermelon Margarita
Mixing cocktails may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite intuitive once you understand how to balance the alcohol, sweetness and acidity. In “3-Ingredient Cocktails” (Ten Speed Press, 2017), Robert Simonson presents the formula for a perfect margarita: 1½ ounces tequila, 1 ounce Cointreau and 3/4 ounce lime juice, shaken and served. Even easier to memorize, this version uses 6 ounces fresh watermelon juice — a sweet but subtle nod to summer — and 2 ounces each tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Be sure to taste and add more watermelon juice if your margarita is too boozy, and extra lime juice or even a pinch of salt if it’s too sweet.
- Total:
- Serves: 2 persons
Ingredients
- 1tablespoon fine sea salt
- 1teaspoon Tajín or 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne (optional)
- Ice, as needed
- 6ounces fresh watermelon juice (from about 1 1/2 cups chopped seedless watermelon, blended and strained)
- 2ounces tequila, preferably blanco
- 2ounces Cointreau (optional)
- 2ounces fresh lime juice (from 1 to 2 large limes), rinds reserved
- 2to 3 thinly sliced jalapeño rounds (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the salted rim, if using: In a small shallow bowl or plate, combine the sea salt and Tajín. Set aside.Step 2
In a shaker filled with ice, combine the watermelon juice, tequila, Cointreau (if using), lime juice and jalapeño (if using). Shake to combine. (Note: The watermelon flavor shines brighter without the Cointreau, but the liqueur takes the drink into more traditional margarita territory. If you’d like to compare, first try the mixture without, the liqueur, then add 1 ounce of it per serving.)Step 3
Using one of the squeezed lime halves, run it along the rim of two rocks glasses, then dip the rims into the salt mixture. Fill the glasses with ice, then strain the margaritas into the glasses and enjoy immediately.