Rick Bayless is chef of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago, creator of Frontera gourmet foods, cookbook author and host of Mexico - One Plate at a Time.

test

RICKMAIL - sign up for our email list From the Kitchen of Chef Rick Bayless

Recipes from Chef Rick Bayless

Hotel California Jamaica Margarita

Margarita de Jamaica

Makes 10 cocktails

From Season 8  Mexico - One Plate at a Time

Ingredients

Jamaica “Flower” Infusion
      5 ounces dried Jamaica “flowers”
      1 scant cup sugar

1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice
2 cups 100% agave blanco tequila (some good choices are Tres Generaciones and El Milagro)
1 cup Cointreau
1/2 cup Jamaica “Flower” Infusion
1/4  cup jamaica flowers
1/4 cup sugar
A lime half for moistening the glass rims
Ice cubes (you’ll need about 6 to 7 cups – small ones are best)

Directions

1.  Make the jamaica "flower" infusion.  In a medium (3-quart) stainless saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil.  Add the jamaica “flowers” and sugar.  Stir for a minute or so while the liquid returns to a boil and the sugar dissolves.  Turn off the burner and cover the pan.  Let steep for at least an hour, but no more than 2 hours.  Pour the mixture through a colander or strainer into a large stainless steel or glass bowl, pressing the “flowers” to extract as much liquid as possible.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.  You can make this infusion several days ahead.

2.  Make the margarita mixture.   In a large pitcher, stir together the lime juice, tequila, Cointreau and Jamaica “Flower” Infusion.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

3.  Make the garnishing sugar.  Place the jamaica flowers into a coffee grinder or small food processor.  Grind until the flowers are reduced to small flakes.  Add the sugar and pulse to combine.  Spread this mixture on a small rimmed plate.

4.  Serve.  Moisten the rims of three 6-ounce martini glasses with the lime half, then upend the glasses to crust the rims.  Fill a cocktail shaker about 3/4 full of ice and measure 1 1/2 cups of the margarita mixture for three drinks.  Cover and shake for 15 seconds to thoroughly chill the mixture – that’s how long it takes for the perfect amount of ice to melt into the drink.  Strain into the prepared glasses and you’re ready to offer your guests a taste of Baja.  Finish the remaining margaritas in the same way.

Recipes