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The Best Fresh Margaritas

Name: The Best Fresh Margaritas
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Latin America & Caribbean, Mexican
Ingredients: 4 teaspoons, grated lime zest plus ½ cup juice (4 limes); 4 teaspoons, grated lemon zest plus ½ cup juice (3 lemons); ¼ cup, superfine sugar; Pinch, table salt; 2 cups, crushed ice; 1 cup, 100 percent agave tequila, preferably Reposado; 1 cup, Triple Sec

By Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison ･ Appears in Cook's Illustrated July/August 2000, America's Test Kitchen TV

Put away that blender. For the ultimate margarita, mix premium tequila with fresh juice and zest, and shake it yourself.

A cookbook recipe exclusively for ATK Essential members from The Complete Summer Cookbook

YIELD 4 to 6 (Makes about 1 quart)

TIME 15 minutes, plus 4 hours chilling

A cookbook recipe exclusively for ATK Essential members from The Complete Summer Cookbook

Why This Recipe Works

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Gather Your Ingredients

4 teaspoons grated lime zest plus ½ cup juice (4 limes)

4 teaspoons grated lemon zest plus ½ cup juice (3 lemons)

¼ cup superfine sugar

Pinch table salt

2 cups crushed ice

1 cup 100 percent agave tequila, preferably Reposado

1 cup Triple Sec

Key Equipment

Before You Begin

The longer the zest and juice mixture is allowed to steep, the more developed the citrus flavors in the finished margaritas. We recommend steeping for the full 24 hours, although the margaritas will still be great if the mixture is steeped only for the minimum 4 hours. If you're in a rush and need to serve margaritas immediately, omit the zest and skip the steeping process altogether.

Instructions

Combine lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, sugar, and salt in 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Cover and refrigerate until flavors meld, at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

Divide 1 cup crushed ice between 4 or 6 margarita or double old-fashioned glasses. Strain juice mixture into 1-quart pitcher or cocktail shaker. Add tequila, Triple Sec, and remaining 1 cup crushed ice; stir or shake until thoroughly combined and chilled, 20 to 60 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately.

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