Margaritas – a healthier version

We’ve had a surprising number of sunny days in the UK. Fingers crossed it continues for the rest of summer!

When we’re able, enjoying being outdoors in the garden fills me with happiness and tops up my energy levels, and nothing feels more deserved than relaxing with a lovely cold drink after playing and running around with Nicholas.

Hubby is the cocktail king (I don’t think I’ve ever used any of our cocktail-making gadgets!) and makes the most luscious drinks so there’s no need for me to even contemplate trying. But, when I came across Cookie and Kate’s Skinny Margarita I knew I had to give it a try.

To make their margarita ‘skinny’, Cookie and Kate replace the traditional Cointreau with freshly squeezed orange juice, thereby lowering the amount of alcohol while adding some natural sweetness. They also add some more sweetness with agave nectar, avoiding the refined sugar some people like to add to the mix.

I prefer maple syrup so that’s what I used to add some more sweetness, as well as convert their American measures to English ones.

This margarita is tart, very refreshing and oh so satisfying. I was very tempted to make another one immediately!

Margaritas – a healthier version
(adapted from Cookie and Kate)

Prep time: 10 mins
Serves 1

Sea salt
60 ml blanco or silver tequila
50 ml fresh lime juice (about 1 1/2 limes)
30 ml fresh orange juice (about 1/2 a medium orange)
1 tsp maple syrup (or agave nectar)
1 lime wedge (or wheel) to garnish

Chill your glass by either putting it in the freezer or filling it with ice while you juice your limes and orange.

Pour a little salt onto a small plate just a little bigger than the rim of your glass. Slice off a small piece of lime and run it around the rim of your glass to moisten it. Dip the rim of the glass lightly into the salt (if you don’t like too much salt with your margarita, only dip half of the rim).

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice . Pour in the tequila, lime juice, orange juice and maple syrup.

Put on the lid and shake for 30 seconds.

Double strain the mix into your glass and garnish with the lime wedge.

Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Tip: Use a good quality tequila. In a classic margarita only a blanco (white) tequila, also called silver or plata, is used.

What’s your favourite refreshing drink when the weather is sunny?