Yahoo, people, it’s margarita time! I have a very specific affinity for Jimmy Buffet, as my old boss at my bookstore job would blast it when he was thrilled about something. None of this means anything to you (except perhaps you, Caroline, if you’re reading this), but I can tell you the thought of Jimmy Buffet makes me very, very happy. I’m not a drinker, I feel the need to say every time I post a new cocktail, but I truly love coming up with new cocktails for my friends. I find the complex flavours and the acquired taste aspect of liquor to be so intriguing that I can’t help myself. I already use fresh cilantro in my classic lime margarita, so adding strawberries was just the next logical step on this journey.
The rim is lined with a spicy salt mixture, but you can leave the cayenne out and just go for salt and coriander, if you’re not feeling up to the bit of spice. It’s highly recommended, though! I made this cocktail two ways: muddled and blended. I’m going to write the blended recipe up, but feel free to just muddle the ingredients and let them sit and mingle in the fridge for a bit.
Strawberry Cilantro Margarita
Makes ~1 litre
Total time: 5 minutes
1 pint of ripe strawberries, washed and hulled
Large handful fresh cilantro, stems included
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup Cointreau liqueur
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Ice, to shake cocktail with and to fill glasses
Spicy salt rim, recipe below
Fresh lime wedges, strawberries and cilantro, to garnish
Using a blender, combine the strawberries and cilantro until well blended. In a cocktail shaker, combine the blended strawberries and cilantro, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Add ice and shake to combine. Run a lime wedge around the edge of the cocktail glass and cover with the salt rim mixture. Fill glass with ice, pour cocktail and garnish with a whole strawberry, lime wedge and sprigs of cilantro.
Spicy Salt Rim
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mix together thoroughly.