Frontera Margarita

When summer rolls around I find that I am drawn to more fruity and cold drinks. This is a great and fairly simple margarita that I've been making for years, from the great Rick Bayless. It is great for parties too, because you can make the base ahead and just shake with ice at the last minute.

Margarita
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
zest of about 2 limes
1/4 cup sugar
10 oz water
3/4 cups taquila
1 oz orange liqueur such as Gran Marnier or triple sec (optional)
limes for garnish
course salt


Zest the limes and mix with the juice, you can add the pulp as it will all be strained out later.



In a pan mix the sugar and water and heat until the sugar dissolves, then mix with the lime juice. Place in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours or over night.




Before serving, fill the glasses with ice water. This will help keep them cold longer.



In a shaker, fill with ice. Add the taquila and strain the lime syrup in. Shake well.



Dump the water from the glasses. To salt, rub the rim with lime then dunk in a plate with salt. Strain the margarita into glasses and garnish with lime wedge or wheel.