The Other Side of the Tortilla

Cocktails

The best strawberry margarita

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Margaritas are the most well-known cocktail from Mexico and the strawberry margarita is considered to be the most popular fruit-flavored version, both in Mexico and abroad.

The invention of the margarita dates back to 1942, credited to a bar in the Northwestern state of Chihuahua, where they began making this famous tequila cocktail in 1942. Today, you can get a margarita just about anywhere in the world. This version is a slightly slushy one, similar to the frozen margaritas you may have tried before.

Slushy strawberry margaritas with chamoy for rimming the glasses

If you love frozen margaritas, you might also like to try my prickly pear frozen margarita recipe!

Rimming your margarita glass with Miguelito (a powdered form of chamoy) lends a particularly Mexican sweet-and-sour flavor. Miguelito is available in most Mexican or Latin American markets in the same aisle as bottled salsas, as well as online. Miguelito is even available on Amazon Prime! I’ve used it to rim the glass for other margaritas as well, such as my mandarin orange margarita.

How to get extra strawberry flavor

If strawberries aren’t at peak season, your berries may not be very sweet or have that signature strawberry flavor you crave. A great way to enhance the strawberry flavor in your margarita is by using freeze-dried strawberries. They pack a lot of flavor without all the moisture and body of fresh berries.

Freeze-dried strawberries from Trader Joe's

Freeze-dried strawberries should be unsweetened and unsulfured. I buy mine at Trader Joe’s or Aldi, but you can also find them in many other supermarkets and online. A 1-2 ounce bag should cost less than $4. You can also find freeze-dried strawberry powder in 8-ounce bags. It’s more expensive up front but the per-ounce cost makes it less expensive in the long run.

Slushy strawberry margaritas on cloth coasters

Don’t be cheap when choosing your tequila

I use Don Julio Tequila Reposado in my strawberry margarita recipe because it has lemon citrus notes that complement the sweetness of the berries. It may be more expensive than you’ve spent on tequila before, but worth the price (750 mL costs around $40-50). Tequila reposado is aged in oak barrels from 2 months to 1 year. This rounds and softens the tequila, making it perfect for margaritas and mixed drinks.

Remember: buying cheap tequila always results in two things—a hangover and thinking you don’t want to drink tequila ever again.

What kind of triple sec goes best in a margarita?

Not all orange-flavored liqueurs are created equal. I prefer Cointreau which is a true triple sec with a subtle orange flavor and balanced between bitter and sweet. You can use whatever brand you like if you don’t have Cointreau. Stay away from cheap triple sec because it’s often unbalanced and too sweet. Cointreau is 80 proof and can be a bit pricey, but you don’t use much, so it should last awhile. Cheaper brands of triple sec are often lower, around 60 proof.

Grand Marnier is also a French 80-proof orange liqueur but is NOT a triple sec. Grand Marnier is a mix of cognac (a type of brandy) and triple sec, which technically makes it curaçao-style liqueur.

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Strawberry Margaritas

  • Author: Maura Wall Hernandez
  • Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Total Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Beverages
  • Cuisine: Mexican
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Description

An easy slush margarita recipe that packs a big strawberry-flavored punch

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 pound strawberries, hulled, juiced and strained
  • 1.5 ounces liquid cane sugar (such as Hey Shuga! brand)
  • 0.5 ounce Cointreau
  • 2.5 ounces tequila reposado
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/3 cup unsulfured, unsweetened freeze-dried strawberries (I buy them from Trader Joe’s)
  • 1.5 cups ice

For rimming glasses:

  • Juice of half a lime
  • 2 tablespoons Miguelito or Tajín

Instructions

  1. Wash, hull, juice and filter 1 pound of strawberries. 
  2. Add 1.5 oz liquid cane sugar, 0.5 oz Cointreau, 2.5 oz tequila reposado and the juice of one lime to the strawberry juice. 
  3. In a small food processor, pulse 1/3 cup freeze dried strawberries until moderately ground.
  4. Pour strawberry juice mix into blender, add 1.5 cups ice and 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries.
  5. Blend on high until smooth and serve.

To rim the glasses: You’ll need two shallow dishes. Squeeze lime juice into one. Add 2 tbsp of Miguelito to the other. Dip the rims of the glasses into the lime juice first, then the Miguelito.  

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor, you can add the freeze-dried strawberries straight into the blender and just blend for an extra 60 seconds to make sure they’re fully broken up and incorporated. 

Keywords: strawberry, margarita

Other margarita recipes you should try:

Paloma (grapefruit margarita)
Watermelon margaritas
Spiced pear frozen margaritas
Warm winter margaritas

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit The Other Side of The Tortilla at no additional cost to you when you purchase items linked from this site. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

Mandarin orange margaritas

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Mandarin orange margaritas are a refreshing cocktail using in-season citrus. These margaritas get a fun agridulce kick from a Miguelito and salt-rimmed glass.


Mandarin oranges, or mandarinas, are extremely common in Mexico, so they’re used in all kinds of recipes, from aguas frescas, to gelatinas, salads, and more—including mandarin orange margaritas.

The juicer used in my video is a Chefn Citrus Juicer.

In this case, rimming the margarita glass with a mixture of kosher salt and Miguelito (a powdered form of chamoy) lends a particularly Mexican sweet-and-sour flavor. It’s salty, sugary, acidic, and very slightly spicy, and it’s often used on fresh fruit, veggies, and other snacks. You can buy Miguelito in most Mexican or Latin American markets in the same aisle as bottled salsas, as well as online. Miguelito is even available on Amazon Prime!

RELATED RECIPE: Easy watermelon margaritas

A note about mandarin oranges: The harvest in the beginning of the season is usually less sweet or even a little bit sour, while mandarins harvested mid- to late-season will be sweeter. For that reason, you may want to add a little bit of sugar to your juice if drinking at the beginning of the season and the fresh-squeezed juice tastes a bit too tart for your liking.

I like to use a liquid cane sugar such as Hey Shuga! Organic Pure Cane Liquid Sweetener because a little bit goes a long way and it’s easier than dissolving granulated sugar. You can typically find this in any grocery store near where you’d find maple syrup or other liquid sweeteners for baking.

RELATED RECIPE: How to make a paloma

mandarin oranges

There are a few different varieties of mandarin oranges, and that’s why they may look and taste slightly different. Their peak seasons are also slightly staggered, but you can use any variety listed below.

Types of mandarin oranges you’ll find easily in the U.S.

Clementines are sweet, less acidic, and almost always seedless. They’re in season from November-January.

Murcott Mandarins are sometimes also known as honey tangerines, and are very sweet with no seeds. They’re in season from January-April.

Golden Nugget Mandarins are smaller than other varieties, but very juicy and sweet. They’re seedless, and in season from March-June.

Tangerines are a cousin of the clementine, but are less sweet and have a lot of seeds. They’re in season from October-January.

You might be used to seeing these types of oranges called Cuties in the grocery store, thanks to some catchy marketing. Cuties actually sells two varieties of mandarin; clementines and Murcotts. Whatever you choose, I know you’ll love these mandarin orange margaritas!

A word on choosing your tequila

I’ve used Don Julio Reposado in this recipe because it has lemon citrus notes with hints of vanilla and a silky, warm finish. It’s perhaps a more expensive tequila than you may be used to buying if you’re not a tequila connoisseur, but worth the price (750 mL should cost around $40-50).

Remember: buying cheap tequila always results in two things—a hangover and not liking tequila. It’s a liquor that’s meant to be sipped, not slammed. I’ve chosen a reposado because it’s aged in oak barrels from 2 months to 1 year (Don Julio Reposado is aged 8 months), which rounds and softens the tequila, making it perfect for margaritas and mixed drinks.

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Mandarin orange margarita in a glass rimmed with chamoy salt

Mandarin orange margaritas

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Maura Wall Hernandez
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Total Time: 15
  • Yield: 2 margaritas 1x
  • Category: drinks
  • Cuisine: Mexican
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Scale

Ingredients

  • 6–7 mandarin oranges, juiced (should yield about 3/4 to 1 cup of juice)
  • 1 small lime, juiced
  • 2.5 ounces Don Julio Tequila Reposado
  • 0.5 ounces Cointreau

To rim the glasses:

  • 1 lime wedge (to wet the glass rims)
  • 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Miguelito (chamoy en polvo)

Instructions

  1. Halve and juice 6-7 mandarin oranges, until they yield about 3/4 to 1 cup of juice.
  2. Halve and juice one lime.
  3. Add 2.5 ounces of tequila reposado and 0.5 ounces of Cointreau and stir well. Set aside.
  4. To rim the glasses, mix 2 tablespoons Kosher salt and 1 teaspoon Miguelito in a shallow dish.
  5. Cut the lime wedge and run along the rims of the glasses to wet them. Turn the glasses upside down one at a time and dip in the salt-Miguelito mixture until the rims are completely salted.
  6. Add ice to the glasses, pour margaritas over ice and serve immediately.

Notes

My preferred tequila for this recipe is Don Julio Reposado, but any reposado will do. 

Cointreau is used here over Grand Marnier because it is less sweet, but any triple sec can be substituted to your preference. 

If you’d like to make these ahead of time (24 hours in advance) or for a large group, you can easily double, triple or quadruple the recipe and refrigerate in a covered pitcher without the ice until ready to serve. Serve over ice.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7 ounces

Keywords: margaritas, mandarin orange margaritas, margarita de mandarina

You might also like:

Agua de mandarina

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit The Other Side of The Tortilla at no additional cost to you when you purchase items linked from this site. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

Easy Watermelon Margaritas

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A watermelon margarita is a tasty summer cocktail that’s easy to make and also a great way to use up extra fruit.

A quick and easy watermelon margarita that serves 2 but can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd. Get this recipe on theothersideofthetortilla.com. #margaritas #mexicanfood #mexican

I can’t think of a better way to close out the final weeks of summer on the patio than a fresh watermelon margarita. Can you? These are also perfect for sipping by the pool on a hot day.

These margaritas are super easy to make, and you can even use fresh, store-bought watermelon juice if you don’t have a juicer at home. (Although there are so many inexpensive juicers on the market nowadays, you can find lots of decent options on Amazon with Prime shipping!) …

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How to make rompope

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Rompope is a Mexican version of eggnog. This popular drink is a staple in many Mexican households and festivities from December all the way until Día de Reyes.

Several years ago, I was able to copy down abuelita’s recipe for rompope (which was for a very large crowd, based on the portions) from a typewriter-written version in a family recipe book at my mother-in-law’s house. Thinking it was going to be difficult, I didn’t make it until a few years later. It was then that I discovered the recipe wasn’t quite complete, the directions were sparse and it didn’t taste right on the first try. So I got to work in my kitchen, testing and tasting until it seemed right to us.

An authentic recipe for rompope, also known as Mexican eggnog. Get this and more recipes on theothersideofthetortilla.com

 

RELATED RECIPE: Ponche navideño

I’ve amended abuelita’s recipe slightly to my personal taste but so it still maintains its authenticity, and reduced the quantity of the original recipe to make a smaller batch in case we didn’t go through it quickly enough. I recommend if you’ll be drinking your rompope solo, half-cup servings are best, and this recipe makes eight half-cup servings. If you’ll be serving a small crowd, make double the recipe and just refrigerate any leftover rompope.

One year, José’s Tía Annette hosted a fabulously catered posada, which is where I learned to put rompope in my coffee or make lattes with it. I’ve done it every December since!

RELATED RECIPE: Spicy Mexican hot chocolate

A few notes:

  • If you don’t have time to make everything all at once, you can make the cinnamon-infused milk and refrigerate it overnight, and finish the rest of the recipe the next day with no problem.
  • The directions below have descriptions of how the egg yolks should look at ribbon stage, but if you need extra guidance, this video is pretty helpful. It’s easiest to do with a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid than it is with a whisk by hand. Don’t suffer! Just use the stand mixer.
  • You can find aguardiente in most Latin supermarkets across the U.S. If you don’t see it on a shelf in the store, they sometimes keep it locked in a cabinet with the pricier liquors, so just ask. It’s anise-flavored liqueur that is produced from sugar cane, and much of what is available in the U.S. comes from Colombia.
  • I advise against using imitation Mexican vanilla extract because it really doesn’t have the same taste. I only buy Nielsen-Massey Mexican pure vanilla extract, which is available online from King Arthur Flour, Amazon, and sold in many high-end culinary stores such as Williams-Sonoma or WholeFoods. (For the record, Williams-Sonoma has the best price on a 4-ounce bottle.) If you live in Los Angeles, I have also purchased this extract at Surfas Culinary District in Culver City and Gelson’s.

An authentic recipe for rompope, also known as Mexican eggnog. Get this and more recipes on theothersideofthetortilla.com

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Rompope (Mexican Eggnog)

Prep

Cook

Total

Yield 4 cups

Mexican eggnog, called rompope, is a popular drink during the holidays.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2-3 Mexican cinnamon sticks (Ceylon cinnamon)
  • 3 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract (Nielsen-Massey is my preferred brand)
  • 7 extra large or jumbo egg yolks
  • 1/2 pound of granulated cane sugar (I use Zulka brand)
  • 1 cup aguardiente (cane sugar liquor)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • Optional: ground Ceylon cinnamon to sprinkle on top to garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, heat 1 1/4 cups whole milk and Mexican cinnamon sticks over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent milk from sticking to the bottom of the pan or getting a skin. Bring it to a boil and then remove from the heat. Set aside and allow to come to room temperature.
  2. In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, add egg yolks to the mixer bowl and bring whisk to medium speed. Start adding the sugar gradually, until you reach ribbon stage. The egg yolks should turn light yellow and look creamy and fluffy.
  3. Turn the whisk speed to low and slowly add the room temperature milk and 3 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract. Slowly add 1 cup aguardiente (sugar cane liquor) until fully incorporated.
  4. While the whisk is still on low speed, add 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg and continue whisking for 1 minute.
  5. Pour contents of the bowl into an airtight glass bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Notes

The rompope tastes better on the second day, as the alcohol settles with the other ingredients. If it doesn’t taste boozy enough to you at first, wait to add any more alcohol until at least the day after.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1/2 cup

Amount Per Serving

% Daily Value

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

RELATED RECIPE: Champurrado

How to Make a Carajillo: The Coffee Cocktail

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A classic Spanish cocktail popular in Mexico, the Carajillo is made with espresso and Licor 43.

I’ve often enjoyed this cocktail while in Mexico, whether it be at a fancy restaurant in Mexico City, a late-night coffee bar in Acapulco or at vacation resorts spanning the country from Los Cabos to Playa del Carmen.


This drink is also similar to Italy’s caffè corretto (meaning “corrected coffee”) which typically contains grappa, sambuca or brandy and espresso. The carajillo can be served hot or cold, over ice, as pictured here.

RELATED: Frozen café con leche

The bright yellow liquor’s tasting notes include cinnamon, anise, orange blossom and vanilla, and is called Licor 43 because it’s said to have 43 secret ingredients. It has an almost custard-like taste. When served hot, this drink is sometimes served in a glass with a sugared rim.

To float the espresso for a fancier layered cocktail look, first pour the Licor 43 into a glass, then pour the espresso over the back of a spoon and serve with a cocktail stirrer.

If you plan to drink this cocktail late in the evening, it can also be made with decaffeinated espresso or a strongly brewed dark roast decaffeinated coffee.

RELATED: Café de olla

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Carajillo coffee cocktail made with espresso and Licor 43

Carajillo

★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Maura Wall Hernandez
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: cocktails
  • Cuisine: Spanish
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Description

A classic Spanish cocktail popular in Mexico, the carajillo is made with espresso and Licor 43 and is the perfect afternoon or after-dinner cocktail that can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Scale

Ingredients

  • ½ cup brewed espresso or decaf espresso
  • 1 ½ to 2 ounces Licor 43
  • 8 ice cubes

Instructions

  1. In an Old Fashioned glass, pour 1 ½ to 2 ounces of Licor 43 over ice.
  2. Slowly pour freshly brewed espresso over the top. To float the espresso for a layered look, pour gently over the back of a spoon and serve with a cocktail stirrer.

Keywords: Licor 43, espresso

This espresso cocktail is perfect for celebrating National Coffee Day and International Coffee Day.

RELATED: How to make cafe de olla with a Keurig machine

Warm Winter Margaritas

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If you’ve never had a warm winter margarita, you’ve been missing out. It’s basically a tequila hot toddy!

Warm margaritas are boozy and comforting, and an easy-to-make drink that’ll be sure to please your guests all winter long.

RELATED RECIPE: Ponche de tamarindo

I attended a Ladies’ Night In party in Chicago with Chef Marcela Valladolid, cookbook author and host of the Food Network’s “Mexican Made Easy.” We sipped and sampled numerous Sauza Tequila drinks and had a fantastic time tasting dishes from Marcela’s cookbook, Fresh Mexico.

One of the drinks Marcela showed us how to make was this warm winter margarita. It was an instant hit with the crowd and the perfect way to end the evening.

It was so much fun to hang out with her for an intimate evening of cooking tips and getting to taste some of her recipes!

RELATED RECIPE: Grapefruit margaritas

Here’s my photo album from the party:

Thanks so much to Sauza and Chef Marcela for a fabulous Ladies’ Night In. And thank you to the hostesses, Stacey Roney and Beth Rosen for inviting me! I had a great time. Each party attendee received a little tequila to practice making their own drinks as well as a copy of Chef Marcela’s book, which I really like and would recommend as a gift for yourself or the Mexican foodie in your life. I’ve already made this recipe a few times and several other recipes from her book and I’m definitely impressed. They taste very similar to the Mexican food I make in my own kitchen.

Click on the English or Spanish-language image of the book below to purchase that version.

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Warm Winter Margarita

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups (28 ounces) apple juice or cider
  • 1-2 sticks of Mexican cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons granulated cane sugar (optional)
  • 1 cup dried fruit of your choice (I like apricots, apples, cranberries, tart cherries, and golden raisins)
  • ¾ of a cup (6 ounces) tequila blanco or reposado (whichever you prefer)

Instructions

  1. Combine apple juice or cider and cinnamon sticks in a deep pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks.
  2. Add sugar and tequila and stir to incorporate.
  3. Pour into cups and add dried fruit to each cup just before serving so they don’t rehydrate too quickly.

Notes

For added fun, you can sugar the rim of the glass if you like. Just gently wet the rim of the glass and dip it in a small dish of fine granulated cane sugar before pouring the margarita into the glass.

https://theothersideofthetortilla.com/2010/11/warm-winter-margarita/

If you’re looking for other hot drink recipes to make your holidays a little more Mexican, check out Abuelita Elda’s ponche Navideño, a staple during our family’s holiday celebrations.

RELATED RECIPE: Cinnamon and chile-spiced hot apple cider cocktail