Classic Shaken Margarita

This is my favorite margarita-strong, tangy and icy but not frozen.

Any good quality tequila will allow for a great tasting margarita but, if you can take a bit of a splurge, then take the leap and purchase a 100 percent agave tequila, it really makes this cocktail shine and is worth the investment.

Classic Shaken Margarita

Makes 4 generous cocktails

Recipe from: Rick Bayless

Ingredients:

1 cup tequila, preferably a young silver or reposado 100 percent agave tequila

1/2 cup Cointreau or other high quality orange liqueur

1/3 cup fresh lime juice, plus a little extra for moistening the rim of the glasses

A little sugar if necessary

About 1/3 cup coarse (kosher) salt for crusting the rims of the glasses

About 3 cups medium ice cubes

Directions:

In a small pitcher, combine the tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice.  Taste and add more lime or a touch of sugar if desired (keep in mind that it will taste a little tangier once it has been shaken).

Spread out the salt on a small plate.  Moisten the rims of four 6-ounce martini glasses with a little lime juice (if you have a cut lime, even an already squeezed one, just moisten the rims by running it around them).  Dip the rim of each glass in the salt, creating a thin, even crusted all around the rim.

Pour half of the margarita mixture into a cocktail shaker, add half of the ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds (this is important to achieve the perfect strength-some of the ice needs to melt into the margarita-and the right degree of frostiness).  Strain into two of the prepared glasses, then repeat with the remaining margarita mixture.  

Relax and enjoy!