Blood Orange Margarita with Bitters

You must aim to take care of the details without getting crazy about it  and give the classics added with a few sensible modern twists. 

There is nothing secret or special about how to make cocktails.  How is it better? The little details.

The garden fresh citrus isn’t just for the romantic notion that homegrown it better. ‘Cause face it, sometimes homegrown is better, and other times “not so much”. Oh no, homegrown citrus is all about the oils in the rind. There are amazing flavor in those oils, however it unfortunately doesn’t take long after picking for those oils in the zest to be lost forever. But if you can get the fruit shortly after being plucked from the tree…  After squeezing them, the oils release to the surface and completely saturate the outside of the rind. It is just one of those little details.

Other little details?  Freezing the glasses. . A great cocktail should be very well chilled, and a frosty glass is ever so helpful. Between the three different sized round ice cube molds, two different square silicone ice cube molds, and the f*^&-ing swankest thing ever, a tray that makes clear ice blocks

Finally, finish the cocktail in a glass that has some character. Whether that is from an old-fashioned glass made from recycled glass  to a throwback champagne bowl, serve up that proper cocktail in a glass worthy. 

Blood Orange Margarita with Bitters

YIELD: 2 COCKTAILS

TOTAL TIME: 5 MIN

See the post for more cocktail details. Make sure to get the freshest blood oranges you can, and toss a rind or two into the shaker when mixing. To make simple syrup heat an equal amount of sugar and water together until the sugar dissolves completely. Store in the fridge for up to a month. Depending on the sweetness of the blood orange juice, you may need to slightly adjust the amount of simple syrup in the margarita recipe.

ingredients:

• 4 oz. (120ml) fresh Blood Orange Juice
• 2 oz. (60ml) Resposada or Anejo Tequila
• 3/4 oz. (22ml) Simple Syrup
• 1/2 oz. (15ml) fresh Lime Juice
• few dashes Orange Bitters
• Kosher or Sea Salt for rimming the glass

directions:

1. Rub the rim of two old fashioned glasses (or whatever glass you prefer) with an edge of a blood orange wedge or leftover rind. Swirl the rims through a small pile of kosher or sea salt to salt them. Add one or two large cubes into the glasses.
2. Combine blood orange juice, tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, and bitters in an ice filled shaker. Add a left over rind or two from the blood oranges.
3. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain into the salted glasses. Serve or drink immediately and with leisure.

RECIPE SOURCE: WHITEONRICECOUPLE.COM.