Blue Margarita

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.