You’ve probably noticed by now that I love to grill. And with that, sometimes I grill some strange things, like this recipe for a Grilled Peach Old Fashioned Cocktail, or this recipe for Grilled Margaritas.
I’ve wanted to make another grilled cocktail since I made the Grilled Old Fashioned. Citrus is always a great option for grilling because the heat helps release the juices of the fruit. So I figured Grilled Margaritas would work great!
I also substituted in Mezcal, which is like tequila, but has a smoky flavor, perfect for grilled margaritas!
Ingredients (serves 4):
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
- 10 limes, halved
- 12 oz mezcal
- 2 oz triple sec or other orange liqueur
- ice cubes
- salt, for garnish
First, make your simple syrup. Add the sugar and water to a small pot and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Halve your limes. Sprinkle the cut side with sugar.
Add the limes to the grill cut side down until brown marks appear, about 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Juice the limes. You should end up with about 8 oz (1 cup) of lime juice.
Strain the lime juice to remove the pulp. Let cool.
When ready to make your margaritas, fill a pitcher with ice cubes. Add the lime juice, 12 oz mescal, 2 oz triple sec, and 4 oz simple syrup, stirring to combine.
If desired, rim your glasses with salt by running one of the juiced limes around the rim of each glass. Add the salt to a plate. Turn the glass upside down and press the rim of the glass into the salt until covered.
Pour the margarita mixture into your prepared glasses.
This is a fun spin on a classic margarita. The mescal adds some smokiness. The acid from the lime is a bit sweeter because it was grilled so this makes a somewhat sweeter margarita.
Because you need to cool both the simple syrup and the lime juice, this is a great make ahead option before a barbecue!
Grilled Margaritas
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar plus more for sprinkling
- 10 limes halved
- 12 oz mezcal
- 2 oz triple sec or other orange liqueur
- ice cubes
- salt for garnish
Instructions
- First, make your simple syrup. Add the sugar and water to a small pot and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Halve your limes. Sprinkle the cut side with sugar.
- Add the limes to the grill cut side down until brown marks appear, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Juice the limes. You should end up with about 8 oz (1 cup) of lime juice.
- Strain the lime juice to remove the pulp. Let cool.
- When ready to make your margaritas, fill a pitcher with ice cubes. Add the lime juice, 12 oz mescal, 2 oz triple sec, and 4 oz simple syrup, stirring to combine.
- If desired, rim your glasses with salt by running one of the juiced limes around the rim of each glass. Add the salt to a plate. Turn the glass upside down and press the rim of the glass into the salt until covered.
- Pour the margarita mixture into your prepared glasses.
