HONEY SWEETENED MARGARITAS

For the first six years of our marriage, we lived in New Orleans. We loved the city, the culture, and everything that came with it. The people were very laid back, and I can’t say enough about Southern hospitality! There were endless invitations to crawfish boils, pool parties, or hangouts with neighbors simply to enjoy life. You would frequently meet with friends at festivals or eat out with them at the countless exceptional restaurants that the city has to offer. So it was only natural that my friends and I would get our young kids together for play dates at least two or three times a week. So what do you do with little sticky kids that suffer in the hot, humid air of Southern summers? I never really got used to the fact that in the summertime, the humidity and heat in New Orleans rises to nearly unbearable levels. That’s why the only option was hanging out at the pool with a cold beverage in hand while the kids splashed in the rather warm water. This is when I had my first margarita and totally fell in love with this sweet, lemony, and slightly salty refreshing drink. Not that I ever drank much alcohol to begin with (usually I would sip a little and still end up with a bad headache! Welcome to the world of chronic fatigue), but the taste of sweet and sour with a little alcohol was something I still really enjoyed. This refreshing drink was perfect for steaming hot days when all you would do is wait for the point when the temperatures ease slightly after sundown.

Giving up margaritas meant losing those valued happy moments while going through years of healing with strict SCD. All the more I was ecstatic when I had finally healed enough to know small amounts of “illegal” foods could not hurt me anymore. I started exploring some new options for my diet and this carb-free drink soon crossed my mind. I found recipes to make homemade margaritas from scratch using fresh squeezed lime juice and honey syrup to avoid the refined sugar. I used homemade simple syrup to assure the honey dissolves well in this cold beverage. A few ingredients, a couple of ice cubes, and I joyfully sipped on my long lost friend. Unfortunately, I did not really take into account that besides an occasional half glass of dry wine I had not had a drink in years. The the result was rather weird experience since after a couple of sips I started sensing the alcohol pretty intensely. Not willing to allow my family to laugh at me, I pretended to be ok, which was kind of impossible. I finally dropped out and on my bed, deciding to certainly add less alcohol the next time. This recipe goes easy on the alcohol for all those that are more affected by it but still gives you the same delicious refreshing lemon drink without too much of an effect.

MAKES 4
INGREDIENTS
4 oz homemade simple syrup (see recipe below)
4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
4 oz blanco tequila (100% blue agave)
ice cubes
lime juice and fine sea salt for the glass rims

INSTRUCTIONS
Add some lime juice and salt to two small plates. Hold the glasses upside down and dip the rims first into the lime juice and then into the salt so that the rims are slightly covered in salt. Set aside.

Add the honey syrup, lime juice, and tequila to a glass pitcher and stir to combine. Add the ice cubes to each of the four glasses and distribute the tequila mix evenly into each glass. Garnish with lime wedge or lime peel.

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HOMEMADE SIMPLE SYRUP

MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS
INGREDIENTS
1 cup honey
1 cup filtered water

INSTRUCTIONS
Add the honey and water to a small saucepan and heat slowly at medium heat until all of the honey is entirely incorporated. Let cool completely.
Keep refrigerated.

You can use this simple syrup to sweeten cold or hot beverages, cocktails, marinades, or salad dressings.

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