Tamarind Margaritas

It is quite possible to get tired of Margaritas. Mexico's signature cocktail – white or silver tequila, a splash of orange-flavoured triple sec, fresh lime and cool of ice served in a glass rimmed with salt – is a simple and refreshing enjoyable drink. The problem is with the lime juice,as far too many resort bartenders use pre-mixed lime juice.

Freshly squeezed stuff is rare. A far more interesting way to sip tequila is to have the local custom of enjoying a leisurely glass of briefly aged tequila, called Reposado, with alternate sips of ice-cold sangrita (not to be confused with the red wine and fruit-based Spanish drink called sangria) made from tomato juice or mashed tomatoes, fresh orange and lime juices, finely chopped onion, salt and minced chili peppers.

Hankering for a tequila cocktail before dinner during a Mexican adventure last week, and the old standby Margarita, with apologies to the señora, wasn't going to cut it.

The bartender said he had just the thing: "Tamarind."

Tamarind is 3easily available on South Asian and Thai menus in Toronto, but the sour and slightly salty brick red-coloured fruit surrounding large seeds is also very popular in Latin America, especially Mexico. Instead of using lime, the Tamarind Margarita gets its acidic kick from the tamarind, which mellows nicely with a hefty shot of simple syrup and triple sec.

The tequila seems subtler in this cocktail than the traditional Margarita, but it makes its presence known quickly.

You'll need a blender for this cocktail.

INGREDIENTS

Few dashes salt and sweet (not hot) paprika in a saucer

Fresh ice

1 tbsp tamarind paste

1 or 2 oz simple syrup (boil equal parts sugar and water; let cool) to taste

1-1/2 oz white or silver tequila

1/2 oz triple sec

DIRECTIONS

lime slice for garnish – optionally required

Prepare the glass by moistening the rim and dipping into the salt/paprika mixture.

Add all ingredients to a blender, except lime slice, and blend until frothy. Taste for sweetness and adjust.

Pour into prepared glass and garnish with lime. ItMakes one drink.