Spicy N/A Margarita

Ingredients for 1 drink:

3 limes juiced (4 if they’re a not too juicy)

2 ounces jalapeño simple syrup (recipe to follow)

Tonic water to taste. I use about a 14 cup.

Jalapeño Cilantro Simple Syrup

2 Cups water

2 Cups sugar

1 small bunch of cilantro stems and all.

1 jalapeño pepper sliced into chunks (include the seeds)

For the Tajin Rim

1 teaspoon Tajin*

½ teaspoon coarse salt

1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

Make the simple syrup first.

1.      Bring the water, sugar, cilantro and jalapeño to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. You want the sugar to dissolve and the flavor of the jalapeno and cilantro to come through.

2.      Strain out the jalapeño and cilantro and pour the liquid into a jar. It will keep in the fridge for several weeks. You’ll have enough to make several margaritas.

Make the Tajin rim.

Mix the sugar, Tajin and salt. You can find Tajin in the Mexican section of the grocery store, or you can order it from Amazon. Once you make the Tajin rim, store it in a small container. This also makes enough for several Margaritas.

Make the Margarita

1.      Take a glass and put a little lime juice around the rim. Dip the glass into the Tajin mix until the rim is coated.

2.      Put a couple of ice cubes into the glass.

3.      Add about 1.5 ounces of lime juice, 2 ounces of simple syrup and a splash of tonic water and give it a stir.

4.      If you want to get fancy, add a slice of lemon or lime to the rim.

Enjoy!