Imperfect 'scratch' Margarita Recipe

Prepare the glass

Chill a cocktail (martini) glass in the freezer for a few minutes. Run the lime wedge around the rim of the chilled glass, then dip the rim into the coarse kosher salt spread on a small plate to create an even salted rim. Set the glass aside.

Combine 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz fresh lime juice and 1 oz simple syrup in a small container. Stir or shake briefly to combine. This yields roughly 3 oz of 'homemade sour' and can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days. Use 0.75 oz of this mixture per cocktail as specified in the ingredient list.

Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice (about 1 cup).

Add 2 oz Cazadores Reposado tequila, 1 oz Cointreau, 0.75 oz homemade sour (prepared above), and 0.5 oz additional fresh lime juice to the shaker. The extra fresh lime juice gives the 'major lime squeeze' brightness described.

Cap the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the exterior is well-chilled and slightly frosted.

Double-strain the mixture (use the shaker strainer and a fine mesh if available) into the salted, chilled cocktail glass so the drink is served 'up' (no ice in the glass).

Garnish by expressing the oils of the reserved lime wedge over the drink, then drop the wedge onto the rim or float it on the drink as preferred.

Serve immediately.