The Austin-style margarita, otherwise known as the “Mexican martini,” is the perfect drink to make at a house party, to go with a Mexican feast, or to enjoy during a night in with the girls. A staple in Austin’s alcohol-related history, this margarita is something you won’t find outside of the ATX. Don’t take our word for it – ask for a Mexican martini anywhere outside of the city and you’ll get blank stares from the bartenders.
It doesn’t take many ingredients to mix one of these delectable drinks, and it goes with just about anything. Grab your cocktail shaker and get to work! (Find the original recipe at AllRecipes.com.)
About the Recipe
The margarita itself is a relatively new drink – legend has it that it’s less than 100 years old, although the exact origin of this drink remains a mystery. One story says Carlos Herrera invented it in 1938 at Rancho La Gloria, his restaurant in Mexico, when one of his patrons (showgirl Marjorie King) was allergic to spirits other than tequila. She didn’t want to drink it straight, so Herrera allegedly mixed in the salt and lime and created the first margarita.
The Austin-style margarita has a different origin story. This margarita, served martini-style in a cocktail glass, stems from a bar in Austin, Texas in the 1980s. Again, its true start remains unknown – two local bars both claim to have created the now-popular drink. The two bars in question are the Cedar Door and Trudy’s Texas Star.
There are a few variations of the Austin-style margarita, or the Mexican martini. Some people add olive brine to the cocktail recipe listed below. Others mix Sprite or club soda into the drink. Some don’t like the olives and prefer to use orange, lemon, or lime slices as a garnish. Try the basic recipe below, and then make your own rendition with your favorite combination!
Ingredients
½ cup ice cubes
1.5 fluid ounces silver tequila
1.5 fluid ounces Cointreau
2 teaspoons Grand Marnier liqueur
3 fluid ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
1.5 fluid ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
1.5 fluid ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 pimento-stuffed green olives
Salt (for rim of glass)
Use only fresh-squeezed juice for the Austin-style margarita. When serving this drink for a group, the author of the recipe recommends using 10 limes, five oranges, and five lemons. Keep the chilled fruit juice in a pitcher and add it to the tequila based on how strong you want your drinks!
How to Mix the Drink
First, salt a martini glass by placing the glass upside down in a bowl of water, lime juice, or lemon juice. Dip the rim of the glass in the salt. Place the ½ cup ice cubes into the martini glass. Pour the tequila, Countreau, and Grand Marnier over the cubes of ice. Pour in the lime, orange, and lemon juice to taste. Garnish with olives on a skewer or in the drink and enjoy!
If you prefer your drink more like a traditional martini, pour the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into your martini glass and garnish with olives.
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Featured photo by Flickr user lactulli, Creative Commons licensed
