By Missy Adams

THE MODERNIZED MARGARITA

What goes hand in hand with summer? Summer cocktails, of course! And what summertime cocktail just begs to be the center of attention at parties during these warm months? The margarita, or course! So to keep our taste buds captivated by this long-time fave, CORZO™ Tequila has enlisted some of the country’s best mixologists to create modern versions of the margarita (still the number one bar call in the country).

While many variations of the recipe exist, mixologists Dale DeGroff, Junior Merino, Andy Seymour and Adam Seger each created a personal interpretation of the Modern Margarita designed for more contemporary tastes, including:

• Unconventional rims: kosher salt & cracked pepper/cocoa powder & Ancho chili powder
• Authentic Mexican ingredients like fresh Agave nectar and cocoa powder
• Replacing the traditional margarita glass with stemless, sleek glassware.
• Innovative bar techniques such as “the hard shake,” which cools and balances the drink
• Addition of savory ingredients such as ginger, jalapeno and pepper.

Well now don’t take our word for how delicious these new incarnations of the margarita are, whip up a batch and enjoy them with your friends!

CORZO MAYAN MARGARITA (by Dale Degroff)

1 1/2 Parts CORZO Reposado
1 tablespoon red pepper jelly or half red pepper half jalapeño pepper jelly
1/2 Part Agave Nectar
1 Part fresh lime juice
Orange slice
Unsweetened chocolate powder mixed with ancho chili powder; 2 parts chocolate powder to one part chili powder to dust the rim of the glass.

Prepare the rim of the glass with a dusting of the chocolate /chili mixture by wetting the rim with an orange slice. Fill the glass with cracked ice. Assemble the ingredients in the glass half of a Boston shaker and shake very well with ice. Strain into the prepared glass and serve immediately.

CORZO MODERNITA (by Adam Seger)

2 Parts CORZO Anejo
1 Part Agave Nectar
Juice and Zest of 1 Lime
Zest of 1/2 lemon

Build in a 16 ounce pint glass. Shake vigorously with fresh ice until metal part of shaker is frosted. Strain into a kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper rimmed martini glass. Float a sprig of fresh rosemary on top.

CORZO LA FUTURA (by Junior Merino)

1 ½ Part CORZO Silver
¾ Part Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
¾ Part Pineapple Juice
1 Part Fresh Lime Juice
½ Part Agave Nectar

Pour all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and pour into a margarita glass or rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of crystallized ginger and lemon peel.

CORZO POSTMODERN (by Andy Seymour)

2 Parts CORZO Reposado Tequila
¼ Part Medium Dry Sherry
½ Part Premium Orange Cognac
¾ Part fresh lemon juice
¼ Part Agave Nectar
1 bar spoon Blood Orange Bitters

Begin by chilling a medium sized cocktail glass. Then, in a tall mixing glass add all ingredients: bitters, agave nectar, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, Sherry and Corzo Reposado. Fill mixing glass with ice and shake vigorously. Strain mixture into cocktail glass and garnish with a wide twist of lemon zesting the oil over the drink and rimming the glass before floating twist.

LET IT SNO, LET IT SNO, LET IT SNO ~ WITH MIDORI

For easy and economical summertime entertaining, serve up a recipe that features just one key ingredient. Try the Midori Sno Cone, an old school treat made with just a ½ ounce of Midori Melon Liqueur. The burst of melon flavor combined with soft, cold ice is the coolest way to keep your guests refreshed during the hot and hazy days of summer.

As for the Sno, make it at home with the help of the Helman Retro Sno Cone Maker which shaves ice cubes into snow within minutes (and comes with two Cone Cups, too) ~ check out Best Buy (bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8998374&st=retro+snow+cone+machine&type=product&id=1218058829361) and pick one up ~ that way, you can have it handy for making the Midori Sno-Cone and the other refreshing recipes below all summer long!

MIDORI SNO-CONE

1.5 oz Midori Melon Liqueur over a ball of ice

MODERN MIDORI MELON BALL

1oz Midori Melon Liqueur
.5 oz of SKYY Infusions Pineapple
Splash of OJ
Pour over one ball of ice.

MIDORI MARGARITA SNO-BALL

1oz Midori Melon Liqueur
.5oz tequila
Splash of sweet and sour
Pour over one ball of ice.

Remember to enjoy all these yummy summer cocktails safely!