Cranberry Margarita

I realize I’m being a bit hypocritical talking about New Year’s detox one week and encouraging drinking the next, but hey, it’s all about moderation, right? I only recently really grew to love margaritas. Sadly, for the majority of my of-age drinking days, all I knew were frozen margaritas made with sugary mixes from the local ABC (I love my ABC by the way. The little men working there are so nice and smiley, even though I’m pretty sure they think I’m under 21 when I flash my Massachusetts ID at them. Yes, I have been living in NOVA for over 7 years and still have a Mass ID. I’m a terrible resident.). One of my favorite memories is sitting down in the middle of the Venetian in Las Vegas with my friend Ashley trying so hard to finish my yardstick margarita. I ended up throwing in the towel because there was so much sugar in it, my throat started to feel like it was closing in on itself!

But anyhoo, legit margaritas. Tequila, triple sec, lime, salt. Done. Delicious. Although it’s a bit past their prime season, cranberries are a great addition to a margarita. They keep in time with the simplicity of the drink while adding that punch of color you so need during these dull-drum days of winter. I am a fan.

Be sure to go for quality tequila in your homemade drink. It truly makes a difference.

Cranberry Margarita

Ingredients
Tequila
Triple sec
Lime juice from 1.5-2 limes
Cranberry juice (I use the organic frozen stuff)
Coarse salt
Ice

Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker or tall glass about halfway full with ice. Slowly pour the tequila over the ice and count to three. Then pour in a large splash of triple sec. Juice in up to 2 lime’s worth of lime juice. Add 2 large splashes of cranberry juice until the mixture has a nice pink hue to it.

Before you mix your drink, line the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wedge and dip the rim in coarse salt. Then top the shaker and shake well for at least 30 seconds (until your hands start feeling uncomfortably cold). Pour into the glass (feel free to pour over ice if that is your preference) and enjoy.