Midnight Margaritas (with a side of remembrance) | Practical Magic #FoodnFlix

There's some things though, I know for certain: always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can. 

Our food 'n flix pick for this month was an oldie, but a goodie: Practical Magic.  Sisters Sally and Gillian are raised by their quirky, lovable aunts after their father dies due to an age-old curse on the Owens women and their mother shortly after, of a broken heart.  The aunts serve chocolate cake for breakfast, they dose out love spells for the townsfolk, and they teach their nieces the importance of plants, herbs, and other magical properties.

Part romantic comedy, part supernatural, all chick-flick - how can I resist that combination?  Plus, the cast of women is amazing: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest.  Throw in some cute guys (Aidan Quinn, Goran Visnjic, and Feuerstein) and some margaritas, and you've got yourself a fun afternoon!

There are a lot of fun foodie moments scattered throughout this flick.  From young Sally's spell which dictates her true love will "be able to flip pancakes in the air" (and the cactus-shaped pancakes that Gary makes), to the beckoning table settings that you notice if you pay attention, to chocolate-covered strawberries and the aforementioned chocolate cake to the beautiful produce at the outdoor market (including those ill-fated green apples that tragically scatter everywhere when Michael is killed).  There's mention of Blessing Seeds (aka Nigella Seeds), and even the products that Sally makes for her shop, like the Mint-Oatmeal Shaving Cream ("...he couldn't stop eating it").

But what I chose as inspiration from Practical Magic comes from liquid nourishement.  One night when Sally and Gilly are grown up (Sally with daughters of her own), and have just dealt with a particularly unsettling event.  Cut to the aunts in the kitchen, brewing up something intriguing...music rising in the background (you put the lime in the coconut...)...and you've got one of my favorite scenes of the movie: MIDNIGHT MARGARITAS!

Instead of the traditional margaritas that it looked like they were drinking, I decided to make a twist on the name and make margaritas that were the "color of midnight".  Fun for drinking at midnight or noon - that's entirely up to you.  I left out the Belladona-laced tequila and instead, added a bit of rosemary for remembrance (wouldn't the ladies be proud).  Of course, I can't guarantee that you're going to want to remember the night.  I'd say that depends on the number of margaritas you consume.

Flip the switch and let the cauldron bubble!

Midnight Margaritas

Rosemary is the herb of remembrance. I suppose remembering Midnight Margaritas could be a good thing or a bad thing. It's up to you to decide. Leave the rosemary out if you're drinking to forget.

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Keywords: blender beverage

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 2 heaping cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 heaping cups blackberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 cups tequila
• 1 cup Licor 43
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 cup rosemary simple syrup
• rosemary salt or sugar, for rimming (optional)

for the rosemary simple syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 sprigs rosemary

for the rosemary salt or sugar:

• salt OR sugar
• fresh rosemary

Instructions

To make the margaritas, simply add both types of berries, tequila, Licor 43, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup to a blender and puree until smooth. If you wish, you can strain it (to remove any seeds and skins) - I usually don't bother.

Wet the rims of your glasses and dip them in the rosemary salt (or sugar) and then fill with the margaritas the color of midnight. The rosemary will help you remember the night...

to make the rosemary simple syrup:

Combine everything in a pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for about 1 minute, stirring to make sure all of the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool completely, and then remove the rosemary sprigs. Store in a jar in the fridge. (This makes more than you will need for a batch of Midnight Margaritas, but you can use the extra to flavor lemonade, tea, or other drinks and cocktails.)

to make the rosemary salt or sugar:

Use any amount you like - maybe a half cup of salt or sugar and a large sprig of rosemary for a single batch of these Midnight Margaritas. Place the salt or sugar into a spice grinder or mini food processor along with the leaves from a big sprig of rosemary. Grind together. Store any extra (that hasn't gotten wet) in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the fridge).

There's a little witch in all of us...

Glennis from Can't Believe We Ate is hosting Food 'n Flix this month, with her pick Practical Magic. Submissions are due by the end of the day tomorrow (April 28).

 Next month's pick is Delicatessen, hosted by Elizabeth at The Law Student's Cookbook. I hope you can join us!