Smoky Carrot Margaritas

In my home, a margarita is the "house-special cocktail." The recipe actually changes frequently, as we steer clear of any store bought lime mixers and head straight for the fruit and vegetable aisle to stoke our imagination. Passion fruit, prickly pear, and dragon fruit have all been key players along with almost every type of pepper in the books. And so, it's only fitting that I share my new favorite libation in honor of the fifth of May: the smoky carrot margarita.

This margarita has all of the right elements: it's sweet, tangy, and smoky all at once. While the tequila is an expected player, the real star is a classic Mexican ancho chile liquor called Ancho Reyes which adds a spicy kick. It's then blended with a lemon simple syrup, fresh orange juice, carrots and a good rock salt.

Every summer, I name the drink of the sunny season. While we've still got a few weeks left before Memorial Day, it's safe to say that this drink is a frontrunner on the list. In the meantime, whip up a batch, pair with a good savory guacamole, and press play on some classic sexy tunes.

Smoky Carrot Margaritas

(Serves two)

3 ounces Reposado tequila

1.5 ounces Ancho Reyes liquor (if you can't find it, substitute 1/4 teaspoon ancho chile powder)

2 carrots, chopped

1 tablespoon lemon simple syrup (recipe here)

1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1/8 cup lime juice

1/2 teaspoon good rock salt (I use Pink Himalayan Salt)

Combine non-alcoholic ingredients in blender, and mix until combined. Fill glasses with ice, pour in mixture, top each with a shot of tequila and a 1/2 shot of Ancho Reyes, stir and top with a wedge of lime.

Passionfruit Jalapeño Margaritas

I find that when it's cold and wet out, for some reason, my cravings turn hot.

I long for spice, tangy juices and for something that makes me think "am I on tropical getaway in the middle of February?" But since we're not jetting off to a warm locale until later this month, I like to chase this vibe with food. 

In our house, a house-special meal comes with a house-special cocktail. My go-to spirit these days is tequila, and when combined with passionfruit and a little jalapeño heat,  well, this drink is definitely warming.

My suggestion? Kick off your shoes, whip up the below recipe, combine with a meal that evokes south-of-the-border sensations and turn on some easy tunes (this or this will do). One sip, and you'll be feeling that dreamy summer breeze in no time.

Passionfruit Jalapeño Margarita

1.5 ounces Reposado tequila

1 passionfruit, pulp scooped out

1/8 cup lemon juice

1/8 cup lime juice

1/2 jalapeño, seeds in or scraped (depending on your preference for heat)

Combine passionfruit pulp, lemon juice and lime juice in blender, and mix until combined. Pour through a strainer to catch any seeds. Pour back into blender and add in jalapeño and pulse several times. Fill a glass with ice, pour in passionfruit jalapeño mixture, pour over a shot of tequila, stir and top with a wedge of lime.