Margaritas For A Crowd Food

CUCUMBER MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat; stir until sugar has dissolved, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a container. Place simple syrup in the freezer to quickly chill, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel 3 cucumbers and place into a juicer; process to yield about 2 cups juice. Run through a strainer to remove excess pulp. Combine cucumber juice, tequila, lime juice, and chilled simple syrup in a large pitcher. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Slice remaining cucumber for garnish. Moisten rims of glasses using lime wedge. Pour salt into a small plate and dip each glass to coat rims. Place about 3/4 cup ice into a cocktail shaker. Stir cucumber mixture, pour some into the shaker, and shake for 10 seconds. Pour into prepared glasses. Repeat with remaining mixture. Garnish glasses with cucumber slices.

FROZEN WATERMELON MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Place the seeded watermelon cubes in a sealable plastic bag and freeze for a minimum of 8 hours. You can do this days ahead if you are planning a party.
• Before starting to make the beverage itself, cut one of your limes into 8 wedges for garnish. Cut the second lime in quarters and use it to moisten the rim of of your serving glasses. Place the sugar in a shallow bowl or small (dessert) plate. One by one, wipe the rim of each glass with the quartered lime, then dip in the sugar until you have a nice rim.
• Place half of the frozen watermelon, along with half the limeade and tequilla in a blender.
• Blend until the beverage is mixed and there are no fruit bits but it is still frosty and slushy.
• Pour into prepared glass and serve with a lime wedge for garnish.
• Repeat with second half of ingredients.

MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Make simple syrup: Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Rub rims of glasses with a lime wedge; dip rims in a dish of salt.
• In a large pitcher, combine lime juice, tequila, and triple sec or Grand Marnier. Add chilled sugar syrup, and stir to combine. Add ice cubes, and serve in prepared glasses.

MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Just before serving, in a half gallon pitcher combine the tequila, the minimum amount of Cointreau or Triple Sec and the lime juice. Taste and add more orange liqueur if you think your margaritas need more sweet oranginess to balance the other flavors. Remember, you're tasting it warm and undiluted; when chilled and diluted, the flavors will be mellower and the lime's tartness will be more attractive.
• Pour several tablespoons of lime juice onto a small plate and several tablespoons coarse salt onto another. Have martini glasses at hand (chill them for an extra special touch).
• As your guests ask for their margaritas, invert a glass into the plate with the lime juice to moisten rim, then lightly dip into the plate with the salt. For each drink measure 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of the margarita mixture into a cocktail shaker. If you have a 2-ounce ladle that you can keep in the pitcher, measuring goes much faster. Add ice cubes (5 cubes for 1, 8 for 2, 10 for 3). Secure the lid and top and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into the salt crusted glasses and hand off to the lucky recipients

CRANBERRY MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Make the Margarita Base: Combine all ingredients (except ice) and blend in blender until smooth. Transfer to a large glass measuring cup. Can be made ahead. Store in refrigerator.
• To mix the final drink: Pour half of the margarita base into blender. Add 3 1/2 cups ice cubes. Blend until mixture is slushy; pour into salt-rimmer margarita glasses. Garnish with cranberries. Repeat with remaining margarita base and remaining ice.