Adventures in Cocktails 🍹

Chapter 1: Frozen Margaritas

Lately, I’ve been on a frozen Margarita kick and decided to make my own cocktails at home. After realizing how expensive it was to order them at bars—ranging from $8 to $12 each—I figured it was time to take matters into my own hands. This is my first serious attempt at cocktail-making beyond simple Whisky Highballs. Here’s a look at the classic components of a Margarita recipe:

Classic Margarita Recipe (3-2-1)

• 1.5 oz Tequila (Blanco 100% Agave) 🥃
• 1 oz Cointreau 🍊
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice 🍋‍🟩

For a frozen Margarita, I plan to add more lime juice and sweetness, either from sugary syrup or frozen fruits.

I. Adventures Begin with Frozen Margaritas

I’m experimenting with a variety of Margarita recipes and have settled on a base while exploring different flavoring options. I’m also learning basic cocktail-making techniques to gain a better appreciation for the drinks I usually order at the bar.

II. Budget - It’s Cheaper to DIY

Ordering frozen Margaritas was getting expensive, so I realized I could make them at home for about $3. The main cost comes from about $2 for the Tequila and Cointreau, with fresh limes 🍋‍🟩 and fruits 🍍 rounding out the rest.

III. Recipe - Frozen Margarita

A) Base Recipe:

• 2 oz Tequila (Blanco 100% Agave) 🥃
• 1.5 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice 🍋‍🟩
• 0.5 oz Cointreau 🍊

B) Syrup Add-On:

• 0.5 oz Flavored Syrup (Pineapple) 🍍
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• 1.5 cups of Ice 🧊

C) Fruit Only:

• 8 oz Frozen Pineapple 🍍
• 0.5 cups of Ice 🧊

I found that using pineapple 🍍 provides enough sweetness on its own, so I didn’t need any additional sugar.

IV. Technique Advice

Ice for Thickness

The amount of ice 🧊 you use determines how thick the frozen Margarita will be, but too much can dilute the alcohol. I recommend using crushed or smaller ice cubes instead of larger ones from the freezer for better texture. Adjust accordingly based on what you have.

Using frozen fruit can help reduce the amount of ice needed and minimize the use of syrup.

If it gets too thick, a few ounces of water can make it less thick, but not too much to dilute the alcohol.

Max Extraction from Fresh Limes 🍋‍🟩

Investing in a juice squeezer for limes 🍋‍🟩 is a game-changer. Roll the limes on a hard surface before cutting them in half to extract the most juice.

Cut them also lengthwise and in quarters if you want to maximize every last drop.

V. Bar Ingredient - Make Your Own Simple Syrup

Making simple syrup is easy! Based on online recipes, a 1:1 ratio of 8 oz water to 8 oz sugar yields about 12 oz of syrup. Warm the water without boiling it, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely, and you’ll have your own simple syrup. Let it cool and store it in the fridge.

VI. Related Drinks - Daiquiri (the Rum Variant)

I’ve learned that swapping Tequila and Cointreau with white rum creates a Daiquiri 🍹. My past experiences with rum have often been quite sweet, especially in my favorite Cuba Libre (Rum 'n Coke), so I expect the Daiquiri to be just as enjoyable, with the lime juice adding an interesting twist.

Frozen Daiquiri Recipe

• 2 oz White Rum
• 1.5 oz Lime Juice 🍋‍🟩
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• 1 cup Ice 🧊

Cuba Libre (Rum Cola) Recipe

• 4 oz Coca-Cola 🥤
• 2 oz White Rum
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice 🍋‍🟩

VII. Next Chapter? Old Fashioned

I’m eager to return to my all-time favorite, the Old Fashioned. I’ve already made a few, thanks to having simple syrup on hand, which is critical alongside a few drops of Angostura bitters.

Next, I’ll practice muddling ice cubes and fruit to perfect my Old Fashioned recipe.

Classic Old Fashioned Recipe

• 2 oz Bourbon 🥃
• 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 Sugar Cube or 0.25 oz Simple Syrup
• 1 Orange Peel 🍊
• 1 Luxardo Cherry 🍒

To make it, soak the sugar cube in bitters, then muddle. Zest the orange peel for added aroma and rub it on the rim of the glass. For a simplified version, you can skip the fruit and sugar cube.

With these recipes and tips, I’m excited to enhance my cocktail-making skills and enjoy delicious drinks at home!