Looking to spice up your Margaritas? Try infusing your tequila with a unique flavor to make some killer drinks.
Cibolo Moon, a Tex-Mex restaurant and tequila bar at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in Texas, makes a fan-favorite Jalapeño Strawberry Margarita with a house-made jalapeño and strawberry-infused tequila. The bar’s mixologists share their secrets for the perfect infusion.
First, you’ll want to choose your tequila and flavors. Cibolo Moon recommends a 100% blue agave silver or blanco tequila. Blanco tequilas work best because they are unaged, so they’re the freshest and can take on the most flavor.
What to infuse it with? Herbs, spices and fruits are most commonly used for spirit infusions. For best results, use fresh ingredients only.
Now it’s time to prepare the ingredients. For strawberries and citrus fruit, wash and slice thinly. For peppers, score and leave whole or cut in half. Leave the seeds in for a spicy kick, or remove them for less heat.
Choose a clean, airtight jar; quart-sized mason jars work well. Wash the ingredients place them inside the jar and fill it with tequila. Shake a few times and cover tightly with a lid.
You’ll want to store your infusion in a cool, dark place and shake it a few times a day for the duration of the infusion. On average, the ingredients should stay in the tequila for three to five days.
Some of your more intense flavors will need just three days; less intense flavors should stay in the jar for a full week or more. You should do a taste test every few days to see if the flavors are sufficient.
When the infused tequila is ready, fire up the Margaritas! Here’s Cibolo Moon’s standard recipe to give your infusion a try.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz. Infused tequila
- 1 oz. Lime juice:
- 1 oz. Agave
- ½ oz. Cointreau
Instructions
- Combine ingredients and shake.
- Pour with a strainer in a Margarita glass with fresh ice.
