9.2 Recipes

9.2.1 King’s Spicy Margarita

A couple of years ago, we discovered jalapeño-spiced margaritas while on a holiday trip to Charleston. I had my doubts, but in fact it was quite good. This recipe, from Wine Enthusiast, looks like a good one.

Ingredients

2 ounces your favorite tequila
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1.5 tsp. light agave nectar
3-5 dashes Green Chili Bitters; also available on Amazon
Salt, lime wedge, and jalapeño slices for garnish

1. combine all of the ingredients except the garnish, in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a ice filled salt rimmed glass.
3. Garnish with lime and jalapeño slices (to taste).

9.2.2 “Perfect” Manhattan

This is one from The Joy of Cooking, and it has been a staple throughout my life. When I was younger, I was intimidated by the price of angustura bitters, however I now realize that a dash takes this drink from a tasty alcohol source to an actual cocktail. Also, while I used bourbon for years, more recently I’ve come to favor rye whiskey. And this recipe makes a single drink, but it can easily be scaled up for company (my parents used to treat themselves to a pitcher of Manhattans every Sunday afternoon).

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon or rye
1/3 oz dry vermouth
1/3 oz sweet vermouth
dash of Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry (optional)

1. Pour the bourbon and vermouths over ice in an old fashioned glass.
   
2. Add the bitters and stir briefly. Garnish with the cherry if desired.