Blue Margarita

Marisa Chafetz / Supercall
Marisa Chafetz / Supercall

Even if the weather outside is absolutely gorgeous, sometimes you are stricken with the summer blues. If you’re looking for the way to cure them, this bright cocktail will help you. A vibrantly hued take on the classic Margarita, it swaps the dry curaçao for a measure of the blue variety. While the drink has the same flavor and vivacious acidity of the original drink, it has an electric color that is sure to bring a smile to your face, no matter how blue you may be feeling.

While just about any tequila will work as the base of this Margarita, we prefer blanco tequilas, especially ones that are more peppery on the palate. Compared to other curaçaos that are more commonly used in a Margarita, blue curaçaos tend to be a lot sweeter and artificial tasting, no matter what brand you use. So using a tequila that is spicier or more vegetal will cut down on the sweetness of the curaçao. It is also crucial that you use only a touch of agave syrup (we recommend a bar spoon) in the drink. The syrup should only be there to add texture and to round out the drink’s dimensions—not to sweeten it even more. When garnishing the drink, make sure to use a coarser sea salt or a salt that contains a touch of ground chili flake. The spice will boost up the pepperiness of the tequila, and the red hue of the chili will provide the perfect contrast to the drink’s blue color.

Blue Margarita

FLAVOR PROFILE
Sweet, Sour
DIFFICULTY
easy

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 oz Blanco Tequila
  • 1 oz Lime
  • 0.5 oz Blue curaçao
  • 1 barspoon Agave Syrup
  • Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Step one

Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a Margarita glass. Dip the wetted rim into salt. Reserve.

Step two

Add all ingredients—sans garnish—to a shaker tin with ice. Shake.

Step three

Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain the cocktail into the salt-rimmed Margarita glass. Add fresh ice and serve.

Contributed by Supercall