Happy Cinco de Mayo!
This holiday has special meaning for me because I met The Hubs on May 5, 1992. I call it our faux-anniversary and celebrate the day we met. The Hubs usually says I’m delusional and this isn’t our anniversary. For more on this argument, you can check out last year’s post.
So, Happy Cinco de Mayo, ya’all and let’s get on with cocktail hour.
I wish I were adept at creating recipe titles. Other than just listing the major ingredients, my titles lack luster. (I got really creative last year and made “Cinco de Mayo Margaritas.” Wow—don’t strain your brain, Deb.)
This cocktail, however, is full of luster and flavor.
If you have noticed lately, limes are hard to come by and expensive. I hate to admit it but I have resorted to buying the neon green squeeze bottles of already prepared lime juice. I know…I suck.
But again, this cocktail does not suck. It is delicious…scrumptious…dessert in a glass (albeit a margarita glass). And, instead of limes, it cost-consciously uses lemons.
Cherry Lemon Vanilla Margaritas
12 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 7-8 lemons, depending on size)
2 to 4 T. agave nectar (depending on desired sweetness level)
8 oz. 100% agave blanco tequila
4 oz. Licor 43
1/2 c. frozen dark sweet cherries (more or less to your liking)
20 oz. tonic waterOption 1: If wanting to prepare most of the mix beforehand, mix lemon juice,agave nectar, tequila, Licor 43, and cherries. Place in refrigerator and let cherries soak up some of the vanilla goodness of the Licor 43. Add tonic water before serving.
Option 2: If wanting to serve drinks right away, just mix everything together.
Margaritas….you could garnish with a bit of mint, I guess. (I just wanted to show off my mint that comes back year after year.)
Serve over crushed ice or straight up, chilled.
Garnish with lemons and cherries.
I hope some of you creative types can help me think of a more interesting title for this cocktail. Please, please, please leave a comment below with some suggestions.
Note: Licor 43 is a also referred to as Cuarenta Y Tres. This Spanish liqueur is made from fruit juices (including some citrus) with a hint of vanilla flavoring. Forty-three other aromatic herbs and spices are included in the mix (hence the name). I love the warm spicy aroma of this liqueur but I do have to say it is an acquired taste. The first time I sipped it, I was not a big fan, but it does add a complexity of flavors to desserts (try macerating berries in it), cocktails, after-dinner coffee, and even baked goods.
I was put on to this sweet stuff by Heather at girlichef who raved about it. For some inventive recipes using Licor 43, stop by Heather’s site. Find yourself a bottle soon!
Debra, Happy Anniversary!
The cherry Margaritas sounds awesome!
Thank you, Angie. It’s going to be a hot Cinco today. Have a great week!
Hi Debra!
Isn’t the price of limes just ridiculous! I may be joining you in buying the bottled stuff, maybe:) This drink sounds quite intoxicating. I must find that Licor 43 as it sounds quite intriguing. I’m sorry I can’t help you with a name. The first thing that popped into my funny little head was Maidenhead Lemon Nilla Margaritas but that’s only because I was just reading a book on diner slang andd if I recall, Maidenhead was slang for cherries back in the age of soda fountains and “real” diners!
Thanks so much for sharing, Debra…Happy Anniversary!!!
Diner slang? That sounds like a great book. I like your “nilla” name idea!
Happy anniversary! And I disagree with you, you most certainly do not suck! Love the drinks, wish I could drop by 🙂
Me, too. I glass is always waiting….
Oh, yum! Magnificent cocktail!!! I’d want a ton of cherries in mine 🙂 PS…LOVE your new logo!
You are too kind, Liz. I will put extra in yours.
What a gorgeous colour for this cocktail, it looks delicious 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
It did come out pretty. Thanks, Uru.
I agree with you! Meeting actually the person who will be with you for the rest of your life is the first important step towards happiness! Margaritas are the best!
Yes, yes it is!
I’m not a big fan of mixed drinks, but this one sounds delicious. Lots of flavor and very refreshing. What a great way to start off a yummy Mexican dinner.
So, just imagine this as a mocktail. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your lemonade and dump in frozen cherries. Voilà! A fabulous and refreshing virgin margarita!
Goodness gracious, these drinks look beautiful! I imagine they smell great too…
Very pleasant aroma, thank you very much, Pamela!
I think your name is just fine for this wonderful drink. It’s so pretty and sounds fantastic. I sometimes make a blueberry margarita, so good with fruit!
Oooh! Blueberry sounds wonderful!!!!! Do you have the recipe posted?
Your budget-conscious creativity is wonderful! And now I want a drink… 😉
Hey, when limes are too expensive—make lemonade! 🙂
Lovely drink! I love margaritas, or anything with lime in it. We’ve been practically bankrupting ourselves buying limes. Not only are they outrageously expensive, but they’re small and not particularly juicy. So we have to use loads more. I’ve never tried those bottled things — maybe I should sometime. Or maybe just cut back someplace else in the budget to we can buy limes!
It’s all about priorities!
I admit it. I am a margarita lover. I am enjoying all the different recipes that are popping up with Cinco de Mayo. Yay! I think you did a terrific job with the garnish as well as the drink itself. Ole’
Thanks, Carol. This may be my new favorite. I love the slight tinge of pink the cherries give it after they macerate just a bit.
Love Heather! Love this drink too!
I’ve made this twice now. I love the vanilla with the lemons and cherries. Trying to figure out how to make this into a mocktail for summer.
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