Preserved Lemon Spicy Margarita is the perfect lemon-limey, tangy, tart, slightly spicy cocktail to serve to your special Valentine or make for Taco Tuesday!
So, I wasn’t planning on making a recipe with the preserved lemons I made a few weeks ago until late February; however, Rachelle with Beer Girl Cooks planted alcoholic seeds in my mind when both of them commented on using the lemons in a cocktail.
I’ve only added these lemons to a Bloody Mary before but the idea of combining them with a vibrant herb in a gin and tonic or a margarita had me all excited.
The tonic is out of the question, due to my take-no-prisoners sugarless eating plan, that I am currently trying to follow, so that left me with tequila.
Tequila is actually a pretty good liquor to drink if you are trying to be “healthy”. After all, Time Magazine came out and practically announced it’s a health food, so who the hell am I to argue with the reputable and highly educated folks at Time??
Healthy people rejoice, as I hereby present to you the supremely good for you drink…Preserved Lemon Spicy Margarita!!!!
Here’s to your health!
Plus, it’s Taco Tuesday!!!!! What better time to drink a refreshing preserved lemon spicy margarita than on the most perfect day of the week for it?
I mean, if you can’t drink this on Taco Tuesday, when can you drink it? FYI, in case you need some recipes, here’s a shredded beef taco one and a slow cooker tomatillo pork one.
This drink is simple, quick, easy, and delicious…and it has tasty tequila in it. The little bit of spiciness comes from this unbelievable Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur.
This stuff is the best mixer for all kinds of drinks, but especially good in margaritas. Definitely look for it at your local stores, if you like this sort of thing and if you can’t find it, feel free to leave it out.
Just make a preserved lemon margarita, sans spicy.
Lately, I’ve been making all my margaritas, including this one, without a simple syrup; however, for the sake of people who don’t mind a little sugar in their drinks, I added it to this recipe.
By the way, please don’t bother with buying simple syrup at the store to mix your drinks, just make your own.
How to make a simple syrup:
- 1 to 1 ratio of sugar and water (for example: 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water). I use turbinado or demerara sugar, in place of white granulated sugar.
- Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until all the sugar melts.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Put mixture in a covered container and store in the refrigerator. I’ve kept mine in the refrigerator for weeks at a time and it stays perfectly fresh.
Hope you show your Valentine, or your tacos tonight, how much you love them by making this Preserved Lemon Spicy Margarita!
Preserved Lemon Spicy Margarita
Ingredients
- 1/4 preserved lemon rind, cut into thin strips (about 4 strips)
- 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
- 3/4 ounce Ancho Chili Liqueur
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- coarse salt to line the glass rim
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the preserved lemon strips and cilantro in cocktail shaker and muddle together for a minute or two. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the lemon and cilantro mixture in the cocktail shaker. Shake well.
- Place some coarse salt on shallow bowl, lightly wet rim of glass, and dip into salt so it coats the rim on all sides. Add the desired amount of ice to the glass and carefully pour in the prepared margarita mixture.
- Cheers to a good life!
Jeff says
Is there supposed to be ice in the shaker? We made it with ice and it’s is super good. Ancho Reyes is amazing.
[email protected] says
Hey Jeff! I LOVE that you made this drink! Ancho Reyes is so amazing and it’s a great mixer to have around ? Sure ice can be added directly to the shaker. I only added ice to the glass but it was just out of personal preference. So glad you liked this recipe and thanks again for taking the time to let me now how it turned out. Also, please let me know if you try any other cool drink recipes with the Ancho Reyes ?
Smitha says
That s lovely drink. The picture itself says how wonderful it is. Nice photography Karrie
[email protected] says
Thank you Smitha! I really appreciate all your kind comments 🙂
GiGi Eats says
Preppin’ for summer!
[email protected] says
Preppin’ hard, my friend
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
How did you know I love margaritas?? I definitely can’t wait to try a spicy one!
[email protected] says
I just knew Shelby. heeheehee If you like spicy, then this drink (and that ancho chili liqueur) is for you!
Mahy says
Karrie–this looks FABULOUS!!! Calling my name!
[email protected] says
I hear it too Mahy! You better make one quick
Holly says
This sounds amazing – I love a spicy Margarita! I make one using Sriracha and everyone thinks I’m crazy but I it’s so delcious! I’ll have to find this Ancho Chili Liqueur!
[email protected] says
Thanks Holly! Sriracha margarita? That’s right up my alley! Is the recipe on your blog? I’m going there now to search for it. And you definitely have to get this ancho chili liqueur. It’s so good and has the right amount of spicy kick to it
Jessica K. says
I would definitely use the money to buy gifts for my family- buy my daughter some nice stuff for her birthday, some games for the hubby, and something nice for my mom and dad!
[email protected] says
That’s so sweet Jessica to buy gifts for family members if you win the gift card. If you win, hopefully you buy a little something for yourself too Good luck!
Daniel M says
I’d use it to build a new computer, I built my current one in 2009 and it’s slow old and buggy now
[email protected] says
Wow, you must be a serious technie Daniel to have built your own computer! Slow and buggy computers are no good so I hope you win this giveaway so you can build a better one. Good luck!
Liora (Allthingsloveli) says
I had one not so great tequila in college (to be honest…) but you have convinced me to give it another try! Cheers to your first giveaway too- that’s so exciting!!
[email protected] says
You know we all had that one not so great tequila experience in college! lol! Bad memories but trust me, you should try it again and with this recipe. Good luck. Hahaha
Gaila says
Hey Karrie! Somehow I messed up my previous comment here, cause I can’t find it!! I guess it was my mind so distracted with this amazing preserved lemon alcohol twist! I love this recipe, and as you already know I have a batch of my own waiting in the closet corner!! hehehe!! THank you for sharing! Happy Valentine’s day, again, hugs
[email protected] says
Thanks Gaila! I want to do a lamb post once I’m fully moved in so let’s get together on our preserved lemon recipes