Tommy’s Margarita
There's no better summer drink than a margarita. It's packed with citrus notes owing to the generous portion of lime or lemon juice and is usually just the right amount of sweetness, so the overall experience is not cloying. Traditionally, a margarita is made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, then served in a glass with a salt or sugar rim and the characteristic lemon wedge or slice for garnish. It's one of the most popular cocktails all around the world, and you will end up finding it on the menu of a bar even in the remotest of places.
Over the years, bartenders have become absolutely inventive with margaritas, adding their own riffs and touches to this beloved drink. There is fruit-flavoured margarita, frozen margarita that's more like a slushy, beergarita made with light-flavoured beer, and virgin margarita if you completely remove the tequila element from it. Tommy's Margarita is just one of these riffs. What sets it apart from the traditional counterpart is that it substitutes triple sec with agave nectar, which is said to have a similar flavour profile to honey. Since agave nectar is also derived from the same plant that's used to make tequila, it imparts subtle agave notes to the cocktail. This is the exact motivation behind Julio Bermejo's decision to use this syrup in the cocktail. Bermejo first made this drink in his parents' restaurant, Tommy's, in San Francisco, and it eventually became a part of the IBA's (International Bartenders Association) New Era cocktail list.
And now, you can add Tommy's Margarita to your list of go-to cocktails. It's one of the easiest cocktails to create, especially if you're an amateur mixologist looking for some starter drinks to create. If you're hosting, then serve Tommy's Margarita with a surf and turf menu, because nothing makes fried food and red meat go down easier than something that's light, refreshing, and packed with tang. This cocktail is going to create a dance of flavours in your mouth, so do try the recipe below, as prescribed by the IBA manual:
Ingredients
Method
Pour all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake for about 10 to 15 seconds till the drink is completely chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime slice.
Use quality ingredients like high-quality tequila like Don Julio Reposado, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar.
To make agave syrup, all you need is 1/2 part water and 1/2 part agave nectar.
Always double strain to remove any shards of ice and so that you can achieve a smooth texture.
Customise your margarita experience by rimming the glass with salt or sugar. For an extra kick and an element of surprise, you can also create a chilli or lime-flavoured salt.
Garnish creatively using a lemon twist or wedge instead of a lemon slice.
And lastly, don't forget to enjoy this cocktail responsibly and in moderation.
