Orange-Vanilla Margaritas {she made, ella hace + National Margarita Day}

AS IF I needed a reason for drinking margaritas, today is National Margarita Day!  Naturally, I'm taking advantage of it.  I feel like I've become quite the lush lately.  Those who have known me for a long time are rolling their eyes and saying "lately?".  Shhhhhhh.

Back to the matter at hand.  National Margarita Day.  Is there any better day for Leslie and I to choose to hang out together for she made, ella hace?  Me thinks not.  Me thinks it's the perfect day.  Me thinks it's time to slow down on the margaritas so that saying "me thinks" isn't so hilarious.

Now, I have quite a few margarita memories.  Some good, some hazy, one or two I'd rather not remember. This is what happens when you're working as a cocktail waitress in a Mexican restaurant at the tender age of 21.  It was a time of margarita madness.  Now, these days I prefer my margaritas on the rocks, but back then, it was frozen margs 95% of the time - they're one of the things that restaurant is most famous for.  Everyday lime and strawberry are on the menu, and every day there is at least one "flavor of the day".  Cherry was probably my favorite.  Plus, you could get a swirl...like an ice cream cone...in a glass.  Or a mug.  Better yet, a pitcher.  

Sitting alongside of basket of just-fried tortilla chips and bowls of salsa, house-made ranch, and guac - there's not much more you could ask for.  It also made (makes) for a great girls night out!  (Come on over ladies!)

In honor of National Margarita Day, I toyed with making a batch of frozen margs and regaling you with tales of yesteryear.  But in the end, I decided that I really wanted one on the rocks.  Plus, I wanted to use my brand-spankin' new bottle of Casa Noble and incorporate another new favorite, Licor 43, into it.  In my mind, I imagined a creamsicle-like flavor (Licor 43 has notes of vanilla)...and if you close your eyes and imagine a creamsicle while you take a sip, you'll probably taste it.

But what you'll notice first and foremost, is the recognizable flavor of a margarita.  Please use good tequila - it makes all the difference in the world.

As often happens, Leslie and I were riding the same wavelength this month - we both chose orange as our main margarita component.  Sure, we chose margaritas, but the orange part was pure coinkidink!  So when you're done here, you'll want to check out Leslie's Orange Margaritas w/ Lime & Chile.

Orange-Vanilla Margaritas

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Keywords: beverage oranges alcohol tequila Mexican

Ingredients (2-4 cocktails)

• 1 c. tequila
• 1 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ c. Licor 43
• ¼ c. freshly squeezed lime juice
• splash of pure vanilla extract
• simple syrup or agave nectar, optional (to taste)

extras

• coarse salt or sugar
• orange slice or wedge
• ice

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients for the margarita in a large glass measuring cup (or a pitcher or very large jar). Stir to combine.

Rub a cut orange or lime wedge around the rim of a glass (or glasses) to wet, then overturn into a small plate filled with salt or sugar to coat.

Add ice cubes and pour margarita over them. Garnish with an orange wheel or wedge. Enjoy!

notes:

I like my margarita less sweet, so I do not use the extra sweetener. Licor 43 adds a bit of sweetness, so I suggest waiting to add any extra until after you've combined the other ingredients and given it a try.

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What happens when two American girls who are both married to Mexican guys find out that although one of them lives in the U.S. and one of them lives in Mexico, they both love eating the same food?  Well, naturally they decide to get "together" the only way they can and cook up the same dishes.  Or perhaps take the same ingredients and talking about them in their own voice or using them in their own way. 

Leslie and I have teamed up to occasionally cook/bake/make a our own versions of the same food.  We want to see how similar (or how different) they turn out.  Other times we will pick an ingredient and use it however we choose...or maybe just talk about it.  Good food knows no borders and we hope to share the food we love with you.  It's not a competition, it's a showcase.  We will post on the same day as each other and would love to hear your thoughts on what we've made and how you make it. 

Join me (here at girlichef) and Leslie in her kitchen (at La Cocina de Leslie) for some delicious food.