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Winter Cocktail Hour: Grapefruit Margaritas and Vanilla Sugar Daiquiris

January 7, 2015 by Joy the Baker 43 Comments

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Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiris

[I]’m going to play in the sun.  Obnoxious considering I don’t live in an extra-chilly, snow-covered Winterland.  There’s no real room to complain about a New Orleans January.  Still though… I’m going to go get some real-life tropical sun because I’m absolutely positive that the answer to what troubles me in is the ocean, in the sun, and inside a small coupe glass along with lime and rum.  

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

You should totally join me in the sun… or at least in spirit and in cocktail.  

You’ll need lots of lime, all of the pink grapefruits, Patron Tequila and Pyrat Rum.  You won’t need the sunscreen.  I’m going to hog all of that.  Can you even buy sunscreen in January.  Stupid question.  Cheers to us, sunshine or snow. 

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

Let’s start with grapefruit.  I’ve blown through my giant bag of grocery store citrus and I think it’s just about time to start scavenging New Orleans backyards for grapefruit trees.   Hide your fruits if you don’t want them scooped.  

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

I used Silver Patron Tequila for these margaritas.  Before all of the citrus though… cucumber!  I love how easily cucumber infuses into cocktails.  It’s an amiable ingredient.  

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

Orange liqueur for the perfect round sweetness that these tart cocktail require.  

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

Super fresh grapefruit juice.  Sweet, tart, and perfect.  

Grapefruits are my favorite part of winter.  See:  Brown Butter Grapefruit White Chocolate Cookies

Just in case you’re keeping track:  cucumber slices, Silver Patron Tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh grapefruit juice.  

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

Sea salt around the rim, the smokey flaked sort because I’m fancy.  Crushed ice, again because I’m fancy.  

Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of Cucumber

Bright, tart, and Winter-y with hints of  glorious sun to come.  

Here’s how! 

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Grapefruit Margaritas with a hint of cucumber

  • Author: Joy the Baker
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds
  • 1 cup Silver Patron Tequila
  • 1 cup pink grapefruit juice
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice
  • ¾ cup Patrón Citrónge or orange liqueur
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • coarse or kosher sea salt
  • pink grapefruit wedges, for garnish
  • 1 lime, sliced into rounds for garnish
  • ice

Instructions

  1. In a small pitcher combine sliced cucumber from half the cucumber, tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup. Stir and chill until ready to serve.
  2. Before serving, rub lime across the rim of four tall glasses. Dip the rim of each glass in salt. Fill each glass with crushed or small cubes of ice. Add lime rounds, remaining cucumber slices, and a wedge of grapefruit.
  3. Fill each glass with chilled margarita and enjoy immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!


Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiris

Let’s count all of the fresh lime daiquiris I’ve enjoyed since moving to New Orleans.  

Actually… let’s not.  

When they’re served in fancy little coupe glasses at Cane and Table… they go down far too easy.  

With just fresh lime, simple syrup, and good rum, a daiquiri is one of those classic cocktails that feels extra special when you realize you can make them at home.  Dreams! 

Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiris

A good daiquiri is mostly tart with a hint of sweetness.  I’m upping the sweetness by rimming the glass with vanilla bean infused sugar.  

Vanilla adds a really lovely fragrance that is a perfect compliment to the dark Pyrat Rum.  

Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiris

Into a cocktail shaker:  ice cubes, lots of fresh lime juice, simply syrup, good good rum, and a good good lid.  

Shake with enthusiasm… until your arms hurt. 

Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiris

Vanilla sugar-rimmed glasses, small and cute.  Pour.  

Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiris

Enjoy chilled, sip by sip.  Repeat.  

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Vanilla-Sugar Lime Daiquiri

  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Yield: 2 1x
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds removed
  • ice
  • 4 ounces Pyrat Rum
  • 3 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1 to 2 ounce(s) simple syrup
  • round lime slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, rub together sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Rub together until the vanilla beans are dispersed and the sugar is fragrant. Set aside.
  2. Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full with ice cubes. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Place the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously… until your arms hurt. Really shake it well.
  3. Rub lime juice on the rim of two small coupe glasses. Dip the rim of each glass in the vanilla sugar. Divide the shaken cocktail between the two vanilla sugar glasses and enjoy immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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Filed Under: Drinks, Recipes, Vanilla

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Reader Interactions

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I Made This
Questions
  1. laurajayne

    January 24, 2015 at 12:04 am

    The grapefruit margaritas were amazing. I used agave for time’s sake instead of making simple syrup. And then, plans changed and the completed mixture ended up in the fridge in a bottle for a week. With all the grapefruit pulp unstrained and some cucumber slices.

    It was still fantastic (Maybe better? The cucumber infusion!)

    Reply
  2. The Queen of Dreaming

    January 21, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Can I have one of both now please? ;)

    https://justsem.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  3. Marie

    January 19, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Vanilla sugar topping was to DIE for!

    Reply
  4. Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)

    January 18, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    Those vanilla sugar daiquiris were amazing this week!!!

    Reply
  5. suz Martin

    January 12, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    Joy – these margaritas are DELICIOUS!! We made them tonight and I told my husband that these are the sort of margaritas I’d hope to find at a good restaurant – full of fresh, seasonal flavor AND highlighting one of the BEST, unsung heroes – grapefruit!! Thanks for hitting the spot!! We are big fans of you and your margs!!! (And many more tasty recipes!!)

    Reply
  6. Heather

    January 10, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    Sitting in front of a fire in New England, we were just contemplating cocktail hour and looking for something citrus-y to go with leftover chili with all the toppings. Grapefruit margarita? Yes please! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  7. Barbara

    January 10, 2015 at 11:16 am

    I had to go up the street and pick several not quite ripe grapefruits so they wouldn’t freeze, and I have 4 left. Guess what they’re fate is…… :-)

    Reply
  8. Trang's corner

    January 10, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Love this idea!
    Such a cool post! Love this post!
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com – a lifestyle, cooking, fashion blog

    Reply
  9. Carolyn Selheim-Miller

    January 9, 2015 at 9:55 am

    beautiful beautiful! I’m all about winter citrus margaritas … but I really love the addition of cucumber! really crisp. perfection!

    Reply
  10. Nancy Steele

    January 8, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Ummm, JOY, did BRAYDEN LAGRONE fill your coupe’ at Cane and Table??!! Out here in the FREEZING Pacific NW, we recognize kindred SPIRITS! I knew Cane and Table when it still had it’s (previously) Russian decor before Nick was ready to nail the sign up and was still developing the concept… and then at Mardi Gras… and then at Christmas… THANK YOU for sharing this bit of NOLA sunshine with this bitter, wintry, frost bitten, moldering NOLA girl! Cheers!

    Reply
  11. Chrissy

    January 8, 2015 at 6:22 pm

    I think these just might be the thing for my Golden Globes party on Sunday, fancy crushed ice and all. Thanks for the win!

    Reply
  12. Jenny

    January 8, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    My in-laws have a lemon tree in their backyard in New Orleans and are always happy to share! Especially when cocktails are involved!

    Reply
  13. mom

    January 8, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Your grandparents tree is loaded with the best tasting grapefruits right now. Wish you were here!!

    Reply
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