Looking for a great new twist on the Margarita? Try the Tuacarita

After blogging the Tuaca Tropical Margarita for National Margarita Day, the Utah Mixologist decided to experiment with another Tuaca based cocktail.  The original recipe for the Tuacarita called for “Sweet and Sour Mix.”  As always, you should avoid commercial mixes and go fresh to keep you cocktails tasting great.  Luckily, sweet and sour mix is easy to make, it’s just equal parts of lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and water.  If you have any simple syrup, you can replace the equal parts of sugar and water with slightly more simple syrup.  If you do a little math, you can understand how the proportions for lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup were derived for the recipe below. You will notice that the amount of Triple Sec is lower than expected in a Margarita-style drink.  That’s because Tuaca already was a citrus flavor component, and you don’t want to overdo it.  (To find out more about Tuaca, click on the link above for the Tuaca Tropical Margarita.)

The Utah Mixologist must admit that he feared this cocktail would be too sweet.  It turned out to be almost perfectly balanced and was delicious.  If you prefer your cocktails a little tarter, cut back on the simple syrup a bit.  As for me, I will soon be serving Tuacaritas on Fajita nights.  Salt Lake City cocktailians know that Tuaca® Liqueur (CS# 077786) is available in Utah, as is Tequila Herradura® Blanco (CS# 003655, on sale in March 2012).  Both are in general distribution and should be available in most state liquor stores.  If you need to pick one (or both) up, you should call ahead if your local Utah State Liquor Store is a small one.  If you’re running low on Triple Sec, try Gran Gala® Orange Liqueur (marked down this month 14% to $19).

Tuacarita

• 1 oz Tuaca® Liqueur
• 1 oz Herradura® Blanco Tequila
• ¼ oz Triple Sec
• ¾ oz Lemon juice
• ¾ oz Lime juice
• 1 oz Simple syrup
• 1 Lemon wedge

Add liquid ingredients to a shaker 2/3 full of ice.  Squeeze the lemon wedge into the shaker and drop it in. Shake vigorously and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy.