Grand Marnier Margarita | Gotta Love Glorita

This fresh homemade Grand Marnier Margarita calls for freshly squeezed lemons, limes, and oranges instead of sour mix. I lovingly call it a "Glorita" after my girlfriend, Gloria, because she's the one who taught me how to make it and it is far superior than any margarita mix you'll ever buy.

In all honesty, these are a little stronger than Glorias. One or two sipped over an evening will probably keep you happy. So adjust the amount as you see fit. 😉

Below is a short video with a great tip from Gloria that adds a great touch and makes the salted rim that much more special.

How to Make a Glorita (Golden Margarita Recipe)

One of Chef Niall's mantras is this:

Use the best ingredients you can, then get out of their way.

I can not agree more. This is always true and doubly so when making something with only a few ingredients. There's no place for a subpar ingredient to hide.

That's what makes this Glorita better than a classic margarita. By using fresh fruit, Grand Marnier and an excellent tequila like 1942, Maestro, or your favorite Patron, you will raise your margarita from a salty sour experience to an exquisite balance of citrus, floral, and sweet perfection.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces aged tequila (use a reposado tequila or similar top shelf tequila)
• 1 ounce Grand Marnier (or Cointreau orange liqueur)
• Juice of 2 fresh squeezed limes
• Juice of 1 fresh squeezed lemon
• Juice of ½ orange
• 1 - 2 ounces of agave nectar
• Ice
• Kosher coarse salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Take a cocktail shaker filled with ice and pour in the tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh squeezed lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, and 1 ounce agave nectar.
2. Close shaker and shake vigorously.
3. Taste it and add another ounce of agave nectar if it's too tart. Shake to incorporate the extra agave.
4. If salting the rim, run the ½ orange around the rim of the glass to wet it. Then dip the glass upside down in a small saucer of kosher coarse salt.
5. Fill glass with ice and pour cocktail over ice.

What's the difference between a Golden Margarita and a Cadillac Margarita

Nothing. They're the same thing. And for that matter, a Grand Marnier Margarita is also a Cadillac Margarita.

This is a top shelf cocktail. Grand Marnier instead of triple sec, freshly squeezed limes, lemons, and oranges with agave nectar instead of sour mix. This combination makes for an exceptional cocktail.

Grand Marnier Margarita Tips

Lime wedges make for a great garnish. Instead of adding the Grand Marnier to the shaker you can always add it to the finished cocktail as a floater.

Why kosher coarse salt?

I only use kosher coarse salt in my recipes. First, it's not as salty as fine table salt or sea salt and secondly, I simply prefer the flavor of it. Plus, I love the feel of the coarse crystals running through my fingers!

Substitutions

No fresh oranges available? No problem. Use a good not from concentrate orange juice.

No fresh limes? Well... maybe try a bottle of fresh keylime juice.

No lemons? Hmmm... skip the lemon juice althogether. Don't use store bought lemon juice, double up on the OJ if anything.

Cointreau is the best substitute for Grand Marnier. It's less expensive and has a deep rich orange flavor.

If you don't have agave, make your own simple syrup. Disolve 1 tablespoon sugar in 1 tablespoon very hot water. Agave nectar comes from the same plant tequila does (blue agave plant) so they really blend nicely in the cocktail together.

If you liked this Grand Marnier Margarita...

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