Trio Of Margaritas Ginger Grapefruit And Tamarind Recipes

TRIO OF MARGARITAS - GINGER, GRAPEFRUIT AND TAMARIND

Steps:

• Combine the tequila, Cointreau, ginger syrup, lime juice and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass with or without a salt rim (use the lime wedge to wet the rim). Garnish with pickled ginger.
• Combine the tequila, Cointreau, grapefruit juice, lime juice and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass with or without a salt rim (use the lime wedge to wet the rim). Garnish with sliced grapefruit.
• Combine the tequila, Cointreau, orange juice, tamarind syrup, lime juice and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass with or without a salt rim (use the lime wedge to wet the rim). Garnish with orange zest and pomegranate seeds.
• Bring the sugar, 1 cup water and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan and cook until the sugar has melted and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and infuse for 30 minutes. Strain before using.
• Bring the sugar, 1 cup water and tamarind paste to a boil in a small saucepan and cook until the sugar has melted and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and infuse for 30 minutes. Strain before using.

TAMARIND MARGARITA

Steps:

• Combine the fruit powder seasoning, salt and sugar in a shallow dish. Pour 1/4 cup water into a second shallow dish. Dip the rim of your glasses into the water first, and then into the fruit powder mixture to rim the glass. Place large ice cubes into a cocktail shaker, and then add the tequila, lime juice, raw sugar and orange liqueur. Shake well. Spoon the tamarind puree into the bottom of each glass, fill with ice cubes and pour the margarita mixture over. Serve with lime wedges.

GINGER MARGARITA

Steps:

• Bring sugar and water up to a light simmer and cook until all of the sugar is dissolved. Add ginger and steep for 30 minutes. Pour ginger-simple syrup into blender and puree. Strain out pulp and store in a tightly sealed jar or bottle. Will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
• Pour some bar sugar onto small plate and grate a pinch of nutmeg on top, mix well.
• Add tequila, lime juice, 5 ounces ginger-simple syrup and ice to cocktail shaker and give it a good shake. Run lime wedge around rim of glass and dip in sugar/nutmeg mixture, add ice and pour in contents of shaker, grate a little nutmeg on top and serve with a wedge of lime.

GINGER AND TAMARIND REFRESHER

Steps:

• Bring 1½ cups (360 ml) of the water to a boil. Put the tamarind pulp in a heat-proof nonreactive bowl, and cover with the boiling water. Cover and let sit for about 1 hour, until the pulp has become soft and mushy. Using a small potato masher or clean hands, massage and squeeze the block to soften the pulp. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer suspended over a medium bowl, pressing the pulp through the strainer with a large spoon. Discard the seeds and other solids left behind. Refrigerate the tamarind extract in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use, for up to 4 days.
• Rinse the ginger and gently scrub to remove any traces of dirt. If the ginger is young, with a thin skin, leave the skin on. Otherwise, peel. Cut into thin slices. In a medium saucepan, combine the ginger, sugar, and remaining 1 cup (240 ml) water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the ginger simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the ginger.
• In a large pitcher, mix the tamarind extract and the ginger simple syrup together. Fill eight tall glasses with ice. Pour 4 oz (120 ml) of the tamarind-ginger syrup into each glass, top with 4 oz (120 ml) of the club soda or chilled water, and stir. Store any remaining tamarind-ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• The Approach
• This rejuvenating drink combines the mild heat of young ginger and the sourness of tamarind. It's wonderful during the warmer months. Young ginger requires no peeling before use because its outer skin is so thin. I recommend using South Asian tamarind, which is a lot more sour than the Mexican variety. Look for it in Asian and Indian markets.