The Best Margarita Recipe EVER

Of the many things we enjoyed most during our vacation (Yes, I'm still talking about it) were the delicious drinks we enjoyed. Capella Ixtapa makes the most delicious margaritas. The basil margaritas are legendary, but we enjoyed the regular margaritas most of all. These margaritas were so good that my husband and I literally stopped what we were doing to have a second, third, etc taste. THAT good.

When we were told that the hotel runs a Margarita class, we immediately scheduled a class. We were not disappointed.
This is Carlos. Carols knows alot about margaritas.

Meet Miguel. Miguel also knows alot about margaritas and is a great bartender. Carlos and Miguel make the BEST margaritas.No, really, the best. I should know, I've done alot of taste testing. The night of our class we made and tasted a regular Capella Ixtapa margarita, a basil margarita, an orange margarita, and a jalapeno margarita.

Here we are shaking the margarita to blend. The key to shaking is to shake until your hands get really, rilly, rilly cold. That's the technical term coined by Carlos. Who am I to argue with the experts?
After taking the class, the crucial difference between a FANTASTIC Capella Margarita and a pretty good margarita is prety simple: real fresh squeezed limes and simple syrup. No limeade people. Makes a huge difference.

The BEST Margarita Ever Recipe:

1.5 ounces fresh squeezed citrus juice, no pulp (it must be FRESH)*

1.5 ounces tequila (we use mid-range tequila, but any will work)

1 ounce Cointreau or Controy if you can get it

A very small amount of simple syrup, about 1/2 tbsp

Mix all ingredients in shaker and add enough ice to cover. Shake well. If you want flavored margaritas- crush in fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs prior to adding ice and shaking. *Try with other citrus juice; we've had orange and grapefruit as well as limes. I suggest using a hand juicer. If you juice by hand, use gloves!

To finish, use sea salt to rim the glasses, but only rim halfway so you don't get a mouth full of salt. (I think that is nasty and off-putting.) That's kind of brilliant, right?