Sweet Hots
What could make lounging beside an outdoor fire pit, shielded beneath a shady palapa, more perfect than a sweet margarita that tingles the tongue with a touch of heat? That was exactly Dave Griffith’s thinking one day at the Costa Mesa water hole La Vida Cantina, where he is a partner. “The day was hot and we wanted a margarita that was naturally sweet with a little spice, so it’s refreshing and has the attitude to kick off a fun time,” he says. The result? A blackberry jalapeño margarita. Organic sweet blackberries and jalapeños dance on the taste buds as bursts of fresh lime juice refresh your palate. It’s a crowd pleaser, too. According to Griffith, “When one person orders it … other guests see and want to try it.” If you’re mixing the cocktail at home, it’s best to make a large batch. On a breezy summer’s afternoon, we admit it’s hard to drink just one.
Blackberry Jalapeño Margarita
1 1/2 ounce Tequila Don Julio Blanco
4 fresh organic blackberries
(Reserve one berry per drink for garnish.)
1 jalapeño, roughly chopped with a spoon
2 splashes of agave nectar (approximately 3/4 ounce)
1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 splash of sweet and sour mix
(approximately 1/2 ounce)
Method:
• Handshake all ingredients and
pour into a chilled glass.
• Garnish with one blackberry.
