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Sunday, February 22, 2015

Caramelized Grapefruit Margarita

Caramelized Grapefruit Margarita
Guess what day it is! No, not hump day. It's National Margarita Day! Since it's always more fun to raise your glass with friends, that's exactly what I'm doing. I've once again asked some of my food-blogging friends to conjure up a little margarita magic to share. It's selfish, really. I'm always looking for new cocktail inspiration, be it in the glass or on a plate, and this delivers that straight to my door, so to speak.

So, when I was trying to decide what kind of margarita I wanted to celebrate with, I started by looking around the kitchen. I really didn't want to brave the blindingly white outdoors. Fortunately, I had a huge pile of grapefruit just begging to be turned into that (unfrozen) concoction that helps me hang on.

Since I'd originally thought I was going to coat them in sugar and stick them under the broiler anyway, I figured I still would. A little deep caramel flavor never hurt anybody. So, brown sugar, a flame, and a few minutes later, I had some lovely grapefruit juice that was sweetened to taste like that popular breakfast treat.

You may know that I often use Licor 43 in my margaritas in place of an orange liqueur. I know, it's sacrilege to purists. But those vanilla undertones get me every time, and if I'm making something like a Vanilla-Orange Margarita, a Kiss of Light Margarita, or even some Midnight Margaritas—it fits. Like, your most well-loved pair of jeans fits. Try it, you'll see.

Caramelized Grapefruit Margarita
This margarita was inspired by the classic broiled grapefruit, which is topped with the deep taste of caramelized brown sugar. Breakfast cocktail, anyone?
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Caramelized Grapefruit Margarita
by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: broil beverage nut-free soy-free vegan tequila grapefruit National Margarita Day

Ingredients (2 cocktails)
  • 2 ruby red grapefruit, cut in half
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) tequila
  • 2 fluid ounces (1/4 cup) Licor 43
  • a dribble of freshly squeezed lime juice
to finish (optional):
  • sugar or salt, for rim
  • grapefruit (caramelize it, if you like) and/or lime wheel
Instructions
Spread 1 tablespoon brown sugar on top of each grapefruit half. Broil until the sugar is bubbly and caramelized, 5-8 minutes. (Alternately, you could use a blow torch to caramelize the sugar.) Let cool for 5 minutes. Squeeze the grapefruit over a glass measuring cup, letting the caramelized sugar fall in, as well. You should have ~1 cup.

Combine juice with remaining ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker; shake until cold.

If you want to rim your glasses, dip the rims in a little extra juice or water, then dip it into sugar or salt (I like sugar on this margarita). Fill the glasses 2/3 with ice, then strain the margarita into them. Garnish with a grapefruit or lime wheel, if you like.
Caramelized Grapefruit Margarita
Okay, so I mentioned that some of my friends were joining me for National Margarita Day—here's a look at the cocktails and margarita-infused and inspired food that they are sharing today. Please drop by and pay them a visit!

Margaritas:

Margarita-inspired food:
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