Ultimate Cadillac Margarita

The ultimate cadillac margarita recipe! What makes it an ultimate? The premium ingredients, of course!!

This is the ultimate Cadillac margarita!  Well, my version of it.  Here’s the thing.  When I worked at that Mexican restaurant all those years ago, this was the best margarita that you could purchase.  It had premium ingredients and it came with a side shot of Gran Marnier.

The above photo shows the empty side shot.  I floated it in the cocktail, although it didn’t stay afloat.  It sunk like a sinker!

I used to have the original restaurant glassware that this delish drink was served in but the glass was thin and as we’ve moved multiple times, it got broken somewhere along the line.

Okay, so what were those premium ingredients?  The restaurant used Cuervo 1800 tequila, triple sec and sweet and sour mix, with the above mentioned side shot of Gran Marnier.  The reason they sent it to you on the side was to give you the choice of either pouring it into your drink or doing it as a shooter.  Most people poured it into their drinks.

These truly were the best margaritas of their time.  And I see that although that Mexican restaurant is no longer represented here on the east coast, they are still prevalent on the west coast.  And they still serve this cocktail, although a different version of it.

Enough about the past.  Now for the present.  On to the recipe:

For many years I have taken my margaritas up a notch in the quality of ingredients.  My favorite tequila, thus far, is Patron Silver.  If you like tequila, you have to try this brand.  I’ve had lots of different tequilas over the years but I keep coming back to this one. Why?  It is so smooth.  You can do a shot of this tequila and not have to eat the lime after.  It’s that good.

Here are the ingredients I use for this delicious drink.

I absolutely love the packaging on the Patron Silver tequila.  It comes in a green box, with green tissue paper.  I kept the bottle intact to photograph, so you could see how cool it is.  Each bottle is hand blown and has a handwritten number on it with a person’s initials, though I’m not sure if that person would have made the bottle or packaged the tequila.  Either way, I consider him/her a dear friend.

I use Cointreau instead of triple sec because I believe it is higher quality.  You just have to do a side by side sniff/taste test for yourself to judge the difference.  Besides, this is a Cadillac margarita – so the ingredients should be top shelf.

I use 2 ounces of fresh lime juice, which translated to 1 1/2 limes.  I also use simple syrup, but didn’t include it in the photos.  Together these ingredients constitute the sweet and sour of this recipe.

And last but not least, the Gran Marnier.  I love this liqueur.  It is made with cognac and orange.  Delish!

Okay, time to make the drink.

I grab my shaker and fill it half way with ice.

I measure out 2 ounces of tequila.

Into the shaker it goes!

Now for the Cointreau.

I measure out 1 ounce of the Cointreau and pour it into the shaker.

Now to squeeze the limes.  Here is the contraption I use.

I measure 2 ounces of lime juice and pour it into the shaker along with 1 ounce of simple syrup. I prefer the 2:1 ratio because any more sugar than that, in my humble opinion, makes the drink too sweet.  And sweet is for chocolate!

Now, I measure out 1 ounce of Gran Mariner and put it into a pretty little shot glass.  The set of shot glasses that I own have different colored tinted bottoms.  I chose the green one because of the green Patron packaging.

Say what?  Elaine matching something?  Bring out the trumpets because it doesn’t happen often.  And when it does, it’s by accident.  🙂

 

It’s time to salt the glass.

I wet the rim of the glass with some lime juice, pour some kosher salt on a plate and dip the rim in the salt.  I keep the glass upside down for a moment and shake it a little before I place it right side up because I don’t want the salt to fall into the glass.  In my opinion, too many bartenders aren’t careful with the salt and that makes for a salty drink.  Blech!

I cap my shaker and shake away!!  I give it 10 good shakes before I pour the whole thing in the glass.  I chose a similar size and shape glass to the one from the restaurant.

This photo is with with the Grand Marnier poured in.  Gives it a nice glowy look!

Here’s an aerial view.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe.  I do love my margaritas and there was a time when that was all I would drink when I went out to eat.  I have since expanded my horizons.

Please feel free to pin any photo to Pinterest or yum any to Yummly.  I’d also love to hear what kind of tequila you like and why, so leave me a comment.  🙂

And as always, may all your dishes and drinks be delish!

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