The Mid-Winter Margarita

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Today: The quickest -- and most delicious -- way to make it not feel like November. 

Margaritas -- like fried eggs -- are strangely personal. Strangely because if you break it down, a margarita bears more resemblance to boozy limeade than to something more polarizing. What’s not to like? 

And yet there are too many options, which means there are so many preferences to be had: On the rocks? Up? Salted rim? Unsalted? Do you prefer them blended and poured into colorful coupes the size of pasta bowls? (I do not prefer them this way, but I respect that you might. This is a safe space.) Give up your order just this once -- tonight is about the Mid-Winter Margarita. 

In addition to not requiring you to make a decision, this drink makes you feel like the world outside your apartment is not freezing over. It makes you feel a little festive. You might be cold, but this drink will make you want to take off your sweater. 

Combine tequila, Cointreau, lime and -- hey, mid-winter -- grapefruit juice, and shake like the dickens. Don’t skip the chile salt, and most importantly -- don’t scale this drink down. Olé. 

Mid-Winter Margarita
Adapted from Shake: A New Perspective on Cocktails

Serves 4

4 1/2 ounces Don Julio Blanco tequila 
2 1/4 ounces triple sec 
2 1/4 ounces fresh lime juice
2 1/4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
2 fresh lime wheels for garnish
Chile salt (1:1 sea salt and ground chile peppers)

See the full recipe (and save it and print it) here. 

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