INGREDIENTS
- Jamaica
- 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)
INSTRUCTIONS
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.
