Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas

Lately I’ve been on a spicy drink kick and this spicy grapefruit margarita is my take on one of our wedding signature drinks.

I’m also a HUGE grapefruit freak, especially this time of year. Every week when I go grocery shopping I buy at least five because I love having fresh grapefruit juice every morning with my bagel (here’s the citrus juicer I have — it’s simple and I love it!). I had been wanting to try making a grapefruit margarita for awhile now, ever since having an aaaaamazing one at Hillside Farmacy in Austin over New Years. Talk about addicting! Those puppies are dangerous…and so, so, so delicious. If you’re in Austin, you must treat yourself! And if you’re not in Austin, you can just make this version and pretend you’re there. Works like a charm.

To make this sweet and spicy concoction, you first need to make the star of the show: cayenne simple syrup. Yes, I just said cayenne simple syrup.

 

 

 

 

It was just too pretty. Yes, it’s spicy but not insanely so. Still, not necessarily for the weak at heart. Muhahahaha

Oh, and guess what else? I did something else naughty.

I rimmed my margarita glass with Stubb’s pork rub. I know…I KNOW. So out of left field, right? I did it and I’m not sorry. In fact, I don’t know if I’ll ever have just a plain salt-rimmed margarita ever again. You’ll have to trust me on this one.

These margaritas are a good way to get your much needed vitamin C. And they’re pretty and pink — perfect for Valentine’s Day coming up in a few weeks!

Serve with guac….lots and lots of guac.

Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas

makes 2 healthy sized margaritas

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

for the cayenne simple syrup—

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

to make the drinks —

1 grapefruit, juiced

4 oz tequila, divided

2 oz cayenne simple syrup, divided (or to taste)

8 oz grapefruit juice, divided

ice

lime wedge

salt or spice rub to rim glasses

Directions:

A couple hours before you want to make the drinks, prepare the simple syrup so it has enough time to cool in the fridge. Combine the sugar, water and cayenne in a small saucepot and bring to a simmer. Stir so that all sugar melts then remove from heat and cool in the fridge.

To assemble the margaritas, run the lime wedge around the rims of the glasses then press in salt or spice rub. Place ice in glasses and add to each glass 2 oz tequila, 1 oz simple syrup (or to taste) and 4 oz grapefruit juice. You can add more or less syrup and juice depending on how sweet you like your margarita. Stir well and serve.

Time:

active time — 5 minutes

total time — 3 hours (includes time to let simple syrup cool in fridge)

**simple syrup will stay fresh for about a week in the fridge

 

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Tagged as: alcoholic, cocktails