Margarita question...

[mwegryn]

I'm a big fan of the 3:2:1 ratio myself with a little simple syrup added in. But we are having a party soon and I want to make some margaritas. My wife claims that mine are "jet fuel". I can't help that she's a wuss, but at the same time I don't want to scare others off. Most seem to like the really sweet crap. I found an Applebee's recipe on line that calls for Grand Marnier in addition to the Cointreau.
My question is, aren't they about the same thing or could I be anymore wrong? I have Cointreau, but noticed Grand Marnier is even pricier. Can I just stick with the Cointreau and call it a day? I refuse to use instant mixes, but don't want a second mortgage in order to make good margaritas.

**Per one of their bartenders online this is their recipe:

- 1.25oz 1800 Reposado
- .5oz Cointreau
- .5oz Grand Marnier
- 1oz fresh lime juice
- .5oz simple syrup
- 4oz sweet and sour

[bn087]

I know that Cointreau is sweeter than grand mariner...triple sec is thinner and very sweet also. I personally would stick with the Cointreau or Triple Sec because of the price and since everyone you will be serving too likes the margaritas a bit sweeter.

I personally like grand mariner more in my margaritas, I think it allows the agave flavor to still be retained a bit more than the others. They are all three orange flavored liquors, grand mariner is sometimes a stand alone drink and used in cooking. Grand Mariner has more of a syrupy texture with a burnt orange peel taste that I like in my margs, although I havent used a sweetener like that in awhile since I found agave syrup.

Blue Curacao is another way too go for a slightly different flavor and color....

Agave syrup is the route to go....its an artificial sweetener you can probably find at any nutrition store and large grocery stores...it will give you the sweet flavor you want, it wont add anymore alcohol to the margaritas and its 100% natural agave...how could you go wrong with that?

[mwegryn]

I had a feeling the differences between Grand Marnier and Cointreau were subtle. I'm still half assed looking for agave nectar locally, before I get into shipping charges. We have a Vitamin Shoppe, and I'm pretty sure either they or Trader Joe's should have it. For now the simple syrup does well for me. The blue curacaou is a good way to wuss it up too . Thanks for the input.

[bn087]

I'm pretty sure vitamin shop is where I purchased mine...about 4.99 I think.

[gsars1]

Originally Posted by bn087

Agave syrup is the route to go....its an artificial sweetener you can probably find at any nutrition store and large grocery stores...it will give you the sweet flavor you want, it wont add anymore alcohol to the margaritas and its 100% natural agave...how could you go wrong with that?

I don't know where you got your agave syrup, but mine is called agave 'nectar' and it says right on it 100% pure sweetener and it's certified organic with no additives or preservatives. I have heard of other brands out there that mix it with corn syrup, kind of like a 'mixto', perhaps that is what you have. I personally wouldn't use that, and I'm still experimenting with the agave nectar that I have. I still can't seem to get the right ratio, I'll probably have to do some more experiments this weekend

[mwegryn]

Yes nectar is what I meant. As far as the ratio... is the nectar not quite as sweet as sugar? My guess is that if it's natural it's not quite as sweet which isn't a bad thing. The good thing is that practicing= drinking tequila. It's a win/ win situation

[bn087]

No mine was the nectar as well and organic. They had 2 types at the shop I went too; one was light agave and the other was Blue Agave...I went with the blue which was quite a bit darker...I just couldnt think of the name off the top of my head and it looks like syrup so I went with that...ha...

[rrehkemper]

You can buy Partida's agave nectar from their online store at their websitehttp://www.partidatequilastore.com/

[tvJefe]

I'm not a fan of measuring.

glass full of ice
fill just over half-way with tequila
squeeze of agave nectar
juice of half a lime
shake
serve

[PRJack]

Originally Posted by mwegryn

Yes nectar is what I meant. As far as the ratio... is the nectar not quite as sweet as sugar? My guess is that if it's natural it's not quite as sweet which isn't a bad thing. The good thing is that practicing= drinking tequila. It's a win/ win situation

Agave Nectar has a low glycemic index which is significant from a metabolic standpoint... however from a flavour standpoint it 'tastes' sweeter than sugar.