Best Fresh Margaritas by the Pitcher

Submitted by Bev I Am

"This is a wonderful recipe for Margaritas on the Rocks by the pitcher-full! It is best to prepare the lime-lemon juice and zests mixture before hand to allow them to meld appropriately -- Cooking time reflects refrigeration time. I discovered this in Cook's Illustrated Magazine -- just in time for summer! I have altered the ingredients to suit my personal taste. Enjoy!"

 

• Ready In: 24hrs 10mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 1 quart
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 4 teaspoons grated fresh lime zest
• 1⁄2 cup fresh lime juice (from 2-3 limes)
• 4 teaspoons grated fresh lemon zest
• 1⁄2 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
• 1⁄3 cup superfine sugar (more or less to suit your personal taste)
• 1 pinch table salt
• crushed ice
• 1 cup tequila (Preferably Patron)
• 1 cup triple sec

directions

1. Combine lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice sugar, and salt in a large measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (preferably overnight).
2. Divide 1 cup crushed ice between 4 to 6 margarita glasses.
3. Strain juice mixture into 1 quart pitcher or cocktail shaker.
4. Add Patron tequila, Triple Sec; stir or shake to combine thoroughly.
5. Pour over ice; serve immediately and enjoy : ).

Reviews

[bulgrew14]

A margarita is not supposed to be a SWEET drink. Do not add sugar. If you need to slightly balance the acidity use another liqueur such as Cointreu or other orange liqueur.

 

[brhobkirk]

Unfortunately this does not really make a pitcherful of Margaritas. It only serves about 4. It tasted OK, much better than a mix, but when we saw that it wouldn't be enough, we added a can of thawed Bacardi Margarita mix along with a little more than 1/2 can of tequila 1/2 can of Triple Sec. FANTASTIC!!! So much better with these additions. Because these are strong, this quantity was about right for 8 of us. Try this, you won't be disappointed!!!

 

[Liza at Food.com]

Oooh yummy! Love the ease of making a big batch! And i ran out of lemons for a full 1/2 cup so I subbed one orange at the last minute. Gave it a nice sweetness. Thanks for the recipe, Bev!!

 

[hkcurry]

Everyone loved these!! They were a little sweeter than we usually like, but they were still delicious. They are very strong though! A couple of us had each, and I wouldn't recommend that! They sneak up on you! :) We'll definately make these again.

 

[Jayne A.]

just a note...a friend of mine makes these with a mountain dew mixer instead of all the fruit and it is pretty much the same thing.