Greetings from, dare I say, the other side? Spring?? You guys, this has been the BEST week (albeit a slow week – holy cow am I glad it’s finally Friday!) because of the unbelievable weather we’ve been having.
Upper 60s and low 70s have meant daily walks and park visits with Mr Cool McShades here (hat and sun glasses from Baby Gap,) and tank tops, people. TANK TOPS!!
I think Mother Nature probably has one last surprise up her sleeve before we can safely say “we’ve made it” but by golly this little preview has got everyone on their best behavior.
Until they’ve had a Chambord Margarita, that is – muwahaha!
Ahem, yep, chambord margs, my friends. I mentioned these babies in Monday’s Roasted Poblano Salsa Enchiladas post and got quite a few requests for more details. I was going to wait until closer to Cinco de Mayo to share the recipe for these fresh, tart, and just a teensy bit sweet margaritas (seriously, just a smidge,) but with nonstop patio weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, I see no reason to wait!
Silver tequila (hey-o!) fresh squeezed lime juice, homemade 3 minute simple syrup, and Chambord, a black raspberry liquor, are shaken then swished into cocktail glasses that are rimmed with salty and sweet lime margarita salt. This, my friends, is the spring and summer cocktail you’ve been waiting for.
I’ve been testing the recipe all week with the back door open and sunshine blazing until 7, and it’s felt perfect. I can’t wait to enjoy this refreshing drink when the temperatures really start to heat up!
Now, if you’ve ever had a homemade margarita than you know there’s no going back to a mix once you’ve had a taste. I still have flashbacks to spring breaks of yesteryear when I’d stand tapping my finger on my chin trying to decide which flavor from the WALL OF FROZEN MARGARITAS to choose then suck down by the beach. Yup, picture it. I probably went with the blue one because, college.
Anyway, fresh homemade margaritas are masterpieces in comparison, especially when they’re spiked with Chambord, a cognac infused with black and red raspberry, and vanilla, that lends a smidge of sweetness, and beautiful blush to this refreshingly tart marg. I have a near zero tolerance policy for sweet margaritas, so I promise the Chambord doesn’t make them too sweet – just adds a little somethin’ somethin’.
I’m not going to lie, Chambord is a splurge. It’s usually $38-40 at the grocery store but since it’s so strong you only need a bit for the cocktails you add it to, and it’ll last for months and months. Ben bought a bottle on sale around Valentine’s Day and we’ve added it to everything from champagne and raspberries (his favorite,) to vodka and club soda with lime (my favorite,) and most recently these margaritas (gosh we sound like lushes!) – and I swear we’ve barely made a dent.
Like I said, the bottle lasts forever and you’ll be making these margaritas over and over again this summer, making it a wise investment. These drinks would be great for parties, too, and I can even see them being a hit at your sassy friend’s bridal shower. Chambord Margaritas for any and all occasions!
Start by making the 3 minute simple syrup, which is just a fancy name for sugar water. Baha! Seriously though, just stir together 1 cup each water and sugar in a microwave safe vessel then nuke for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through, and then cool completely. That’s it! You can do this one or even two weeks ahead of time.
Next make the salty and sweet lime margarita salt which you’ll use to rim the glasses with. First zest 1 lime with a microplane, being careful to just get the green zest and not the white pith.
Combine the zest with 2 Tablespoons each salt and sugar in a food processor or blender then process until smooth.
Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass then dunk it into the lime sugar and salt.
Ok, glasses prepped- margarita time!
To a cocktail shaker (you could use a big mason jar too,) add 6oz silver tequila, 3oz fresh squeezed lime juice, 2oz simple syrup, and 1oz Chambord then shake, shake, shake.
Strain into the rimmed glasses then sip away!
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Chambord Margarita
Description
Chambord Margarita is a classic, fresh margarita with a fruity yet not too sweet twist!
Ingredients
- 6oz tequila
- 3oz fresh lime juice + a few lime wedges
- 2oz simple syrup
- 1oz chambord
- Salty and sweet lime salt
- For the simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- For the salty and sweet lime margarita salt:
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons salt
- zest of 1 lime
Directions
- Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and Chambord to a cocktail shaker or large jar with a tight fitting lid, then fill 3/4 of the way up with ice. Shake to combine. Place salty and sweet lime margarita salt in a shallow dish then run a lime wedge around the rim of 2 cocktail glasses and dunk into lime sugar. Fill glasses with ice then strain in margaritas and serve.
- For the simple syrup: Add water and sugar to a microwave safe jar or bowl then stir to combine. Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through then cool completely (can be done up to a week ahead of time.)
- For the salty and sweet lime margarita salt: Add sugar, salt, and lime zest to a food processor or blender then process until smooth.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Enjoy this sweet-tart cocktail on this fine Friday, and have a great weekend, everyone!
Stephanie A 03.14.2015
Grab a margarita and please look at this. (NSFW)
Erin @ Sometimes-Homemade.com 03.14.2015
You had me at Chambord! Definitely trying these once we break out our patio furniture for the season. Lincoln just gets more adorable by the day. Hope you are well!
Jim stuts 03.13.2015
Ya. This is the shitz. bwaaaaaa!
Friday fluff | trish tells it like it is 03.13.2015
[…] had a real drink when I got home from work today, it totally would’ve been this Chambord Margarita. But since booze and babes don’t mix, we settled for an O’Douls with a little orange […]
Kate Dvorak 03.13.2015
I love chambord, so yum, I’ll have to try this ASAP! Also, is your gold polish actually a Jamberry wrap? It looks like Rose gold sparkle. If its not, could I send you some to try?
Terri 03.13.2015
Oh my, that looks so refreshing. I’ll have to try it. My husband has been mixing Old Fashioned drinks for me lately, using a bourbon made by Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, IA. They are SO good! I have 1 or 2 every Friday night. :-)
Kristin 03.13.2015
Sounds like my kind of Friday night! We’ll have to check out that bourbon, too – I’ve never heard of it!
Terri 03.13.2015
The bourbon is called “Cody Road.” It’s not inexpensive, but it’s so good. Hy-Vee sells it.
Heather 03.13.2015
Always love your recipes and blog, but I had to chuckle when I saw the photo with your thumb in it…grater scars! Haha! I have the identical ones!
Kristin 03.13.2015
Bahaha – YES! I will bleed for cheese. ;)
Paola @ Do It With Heart 03.13.2015
I love love all your drink recipes, but I can never make myself take the time to prepare a fancy drink. Next time you have leftovers, just give me a call haha
Dayna Bric 03.13.2015
Making this for the weekend! It looks delicious! Perfect for spring time!
Jill 03.13.2015
I have been loving tequila lately. I love (clear) tequila with one part tequila, one part soda water, and one part limeade. I also love tequila with grapefruit soda and lime! Your drink is making my list!
Jill 03.13.2015
Correction: TWO parts limeade :)
Joanna G. 03.13.2015
Thank you thank you for posting this recipe! I am dying for one of these babies. Can I ask where you got those glasses? I must have them. I know you have posted with them before and I should have asked back then! Also I know I never say so bc I have a million other kudos to give you, but your photog skills are out of this world. XO and cheers~
Kristin 03.13.2015
I think I got them at Pier 1!
Kath 03.16.2015
They also sell a similar glass at Crate & Barrel called the Dizzy Cocktail. Whatever you put this drink in, it looks delish!
Lindsay@BluegrassBites 03.13.2015
Oh my gosh…these look amazing! I really cannot wait to give these a try. Hurry up, 5 o’clock! But then again, it is Friday….
Cristina 03.13.2015
Aw, your little man is too cute! And those margaritas look so refreshing and delicious!
Courtney 03.13.2015
Ahh, I love your gold nail polish! Have you ever tried the Vitmamix recipe for Margaritas? It has to be my favorite.
Kristin 03.13.2015
Ooo no I haven’t (I have a Blendtec) – care to share?!
Debtgirl 03.13.2015
I bought some of that last week and posted using it as a dessert over vanilla ice cream!!!! It is so good!
Lincoln on is getting so big and I am happy to see that spring has sprung for you!
Paula 03.13.2015
Here in central FL, the temperature went from cold mornings and 50s in the day straight to the 80s. This is the perfect cocktail with which to forget what summer is going to be like given this “spring.”
Chicago Jogger 03.13.2015
What a perfect outdoor cocktail! Not going to lie, I’m not very adventurous with my mixed drinks. But this one looks amazing – I think you convinced me to try Chambord. Hope the weather stays beautiful this weekend!
Diana L 03.13.2015
My goodness, these look yummy and refreshing! We’ve had a beautiful week for weather up here in Canada (spring, did someone actually say spring??) and these Chambord Margaritas look like the perfect way to end the week. Happy Friday!!
Trisha 03.13.2015
You know, I thought being pregnant through the holidays (read: not drinking during the holidays) would be the worst, but after driving home from work yesterday with the windows down, seeing restaurant patios full, I think being pregnant and not drinking during this transition to spring might be a little tougher than the holidays. Perhaps I’ll just buy all of the ingredients & demand one of these the moment we return home with the babies in July! :)
Bri | Bites of Bri 03.13.2015
YUM! Our week wasn’t quite as nice as yours, but I am hopeful now that we’ve had a small taste of spring. I love the look of this marg! <3