recipe: MASTER THE ART OF MARGARITA MAKING

NOTHING SCREAMS MARGARITA QUITE LIKE A BALMY SUMMER’S AFTERNOON AND, WELL, ALL OF US SINGING TO ALT’S 90’S ‘TEQUILA’ COVER AFTER CONSUMING SAID MARGARITA(S). Amiright? Slightly sour, slightly salty, barely sweet, she’s a beauty when you get the mix bang on. By Felicity Bonello

Like anything, using quality ingredients will always ensure you get the best outcome, and we’ve found some, just in time for the festive season. Naturally, if you’re craving a delicious sip (read gulp) of traditional margarita, you might opt for fresh limes as your mixer; but for those open to a variation, Casamigos, the Tequilas and Mezcal established by long-time friends George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman (you may have heard of them?), alongside Williams Sonoma, have launched a range of cocktail mixers and salts which just made the whole ‘DIY winning margarita thing’ a total triumph.

The Goods:
Cocktail Blackberry Basil Smash is a mixer made from fresh blackberries coupled with lemon juice and basil. When combined with the Blanco of your choice you can expect a fragrant and tangy aperitif with just the right amount of sweetness.

Then there’s the Cocktail Ginger Lime Mule, which fuses fresh ginger, lime, lemon and mandarin/orange juices. Team this with a Reposado and you’ll get more of a warming sweet-tart flavoured mixer. It’s good. To say the very least.

And the salts? For a cocktail with a kick, try salting the rim of your glass with either the Red Chile Salt or the Salty Sweet Orange Salt (it’s actually kind of ridiculous how good the salty-sweet orange tastes).

Blackberry Basil Smash Margarita

Our Blackberry Basil Smash Margarita includes:
Fresh Blackberries (garnish)
Fresh Basil (garnish)
Garnish skewer
Fresh Lime
60ml Casamigo Blanco Tequila
Casamigos Salty Sweet Orange Salt
90ml Casasmigos Blackberry Basil Smash Mixer
A glass of your choice

The Method:
1. Thread your fresh blackberries and fresh basil onto a cocktail skewer and set aside
2. Lime the rim of your glass
3. Roll your limed glass in the salt
4. In a cocktail mixer combine two parts Blanco (60ml) and three parts Casasmigos Blackberry Smash Mixer (90ml)
5. Add loads of ice
6. Shake then strain into your pre-prepped glass
7. Place your garnish on top and enjoy.

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