Margaritas

Mint Julep Margarita

Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Day are on the same day this year, here is a great way to celebrate.

Ingredients

• 10 mint leaves, plus mint sprigs for garnish
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce bourbon
• 1 ounce silver tequila
• 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
• Crushed ice

Directions

In a chilled julep cup or fizz glass, muddle the mint leaves. Rub the bruised leaves against the side of the cup and then discard.

Add the lime juice, Cointreau, bourbon, tequila, and simple syrup. Top with crushed ice and set a swizzle stick or bar spoon in the cup and spin between your hands to mix.

Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with the mint sprigs. Serve with a cocktail straw.

SKINNY MARGARITAS

Margaritas are generally high in calories, but here are some “Skinny Margarita” recipes for you to enjoy while you are on your Dash diet.

Spicy Agave Margarita

Keep it simple with this not-too-sweet three-ingredient cocktail.

Ingredients:

2 ounces of your favorite Silver Tequila

1 part fresh lime juice

1/2 ounce agave nectar

Sliced Jalapenos

1 lime wheel, for garnish.

(1 1/2 teaspoons Grand Marnier (orange-flavored liqueur; optional)

Directions:

Combine first three ingredients in shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Fine-strain over fresh ice. Rub lime juice on the rim of the margarita glass and dip your glass in a little cayenne pepper and throw in a couple of slices of Jalapenos.

Nutrition score per serving: 170 calories, 11g carbs, 8g sugars

These Margarita go so well with some Chicken Lime Tacos

Midori Margarita

It may look like a traditional margarita, but Midori® gives this low-calorie cocktail a light melon flavor.

Ingredients

1 ounce Midori® Melon Liqueur

1 1/2 ounces Silver Blanco Tequila

1 ounce freshly squeezed organic lime juice

1 lime wheel, for garnish

Directions:

Shake first three ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled cocktail glass.

Garnish with lime wheel.

Nutrition score per serving: 165 calories, 11g carbs, 0g sugars

Lemon – Mint Margarita

A little club soda certainly adds a different taste to your Margarita, but definitely cuts the calories down,

Ingredients

3-4 fresh mint leaves

8 ounces silver tequila

2 tablespoons light agave nectar

3 ounces fresh lemon juice

3 ounces Grand Marnier

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Lime wedge

Club soda

Directions

Combine mint and tequila in a glass jar with a lid. Shake well. Let stand 1 hour or until tequila is strongly flavored with mint.

Strain over a pitcher; discard solids. Add agave, juice, and Grand Marnier. Stir to combine.

Place the cinnamon on a small plate. Lightly dampen rim of a rocks glass using lemon wedge; dip in cinnamon to coat rim.

Repeat procedure with 5 more glasses. Fill glasses with ice cubes. Divide tequila mixture evenly among glasses. Top each cocktail with about 1 1/2 ounces club soda.