Ep. 4 You're Te-Killin' Me Smalls - The Margarita

Welcome to episode 4 of The Art of Drinking with Join Jules and Your Favorite Uncle

What are we drinking?

We are not sure what’s more messed up, the history of the Margarita or the fact that too many are made with plastic bottles of neon margarita mix. In this episode, Uncle Brad tries to decode the history of the margarita while giving listeners the finer points on making this popular classic the RIGHT way. Of course, Julianna brings “it” and teaches listeners how to make the margarita, the JULES way. Both are delicious, both will level up your home bartending game.

The Margarita

Uncle Brad’s Recipe

What do I need?

• Tequila - I like a reposado here because I find reposado to be smoother. Especially important for those who may not like a strong agave flavor.

• Orange Liqueur 

• Limes

• Kosher salt / sea salt NOT the small grain stuff and not the rocks

• Ice

• Shaker

• Hawthorn Strainer

• Juicer / hand juicer

• Jiggers (graduated) 1 oz / 2 oz and ½ and ¾ oz if you don’t have graduated jiggers

• Rocks glass

• Knife and cutting board

• Saucer / rimming saucer

How do I make it?

Put your rocks glass in the freezer

1. Juice your limes - 1 lime equals about 1oz of juice

2. Pour 1 ½ oz of Tequila into big side of shaker

3. Pour 1 oz of orange liqueur into big side of shaker

4. Pour ¾ oz of lime juice into big side of shaker

BEFORE YOU SHAKE or add ice to shaker

1. Cut your lime into a few wheels and save a fat chunk of the end of the lime to rim your glass

2. Take your glass out of the freezer

3. Wipe the top of our rocks glass with the lime chunk, your juicing the rim so the salt will stick. NOTE, however far down you get the lime juice is how far you can salt the glass

4. Pour salt onto your rimming saucer or small saucer is fine

5. Dab your glass into the salt and swirl it around to get a good rim of salt

6. Add ice to the glass carefully

NOW… back to the shaker

1. Add ice to small side

2. SHAKE IT!!! 20 - 30 seconds

3. Strain into your salted rocks glass

4. Nick a lime wheel and place it on the rim

Join Jules’ Recipe

What do I need?

• Tequila, preferably a blanco or a Mezcal

• Dried Hibiscus Flowers

• Cinnamon sticks

• Sugar

• Cointreau

• Fresh limes

• Cocktail shaker

• Jigger

• Knife

• Citrus Squeezer

• Double strain: Hawthorn & fine mesh

How do I make it?

2 oz Tequila or Mezcal

½ oz Cinnamon Hibiscus Syrup

1 oz Lime Juice

¾ oz Cointreau

Ice

Rim: Cinnamon Sugar rim

1. In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients

2. Shake with ice

3. Rim rocks glass with agave and cinnamon sugar

4. Double strain into a margarita rocks glass.

5. Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel

Hibiscus syrup:

1. In a medium saucepan add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 2 cinnamon sticks, and a half cup dried hibiscus flower.

2. Add to medium heat and stir occasionally on medium heat.

3. Stir until sugar dissolves.

4. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes

5. Let cool completely and strain.

Get your Gin & Tonic history lesson by listening to the full podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Tip of the day: Tequilas! Which do we recommend you buy?

• El Tesoro

• LALO

• Partida

• Casa Dragones

• El Tequileno

• La Gritona

• Tequila Ocho

• Fortaleza

• Tapatio

What to look for when buying tequila:

Always look for 100% agave on the bottle. 

Make sure it says “Product of Mexico” or “Hecho en Mexico.” If it’s not made in Mexico, then it’s not real tequila.

Look for CRT or Consejo Regulador del Tequila, this is the regulatory agency ensuring all tequila companies are following all the rules.

Look for the NOM which is the Normas Official Mexicana number for the distillery code.