There are few occasions in a week {or a day} that I enjoy more than cocktail hour.  It’s a magical hour – for me, it is usually enjoyed on Friday evenings after a long work week and before a nice meal out {or a relaxing night in, depending on the week}.  It’s posh and retro all at once – there is something so wonderfully indulgent about doing nothing for an hour other than leisurely sip a well made cocktail and let the pace of life slow down.

I tend to prefer spicy/herbal cocktails over sweet ones, so this margarita was the perfect option for this party.  To push it completely over the top, I rub a lime wedge over the rim of each glass and dip the rim in Habanero sugar {which I purchased from this fantastic store}, and float a slice of jalapeno on top.  These definitely have a kick – if you are serving people who prefer things less spicy, you can increase the ratio of regular tequila and/or omit the jalapeno slice.  Cheers!

Recipe continued after the jump…

Recipe

Makes 1 margarita

• 2 limes, cut into quarters
• 6 mint leaves, roughly torn
• 4 basil leaves, roughly torn
• 2 oz. simple syrup {recipe follows}
• 2 oz. jalapeno infused tequila {how to here}
• 2 oz. white tequila
• Ice

Squeeze lime quarters into a cocktail shaker.  Add mint and basil leaves.  Muddle with a muddler or wooden spoon.  Add simple syrup, both tequilas and ice.  Cover cocktail shaker and shake.  Strain into cocktail glass and top with additional ice and slice of jalapeno {if desired}.

Simple Syrup:

Combine 1/2 c. sugar and 1 c. water in small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves.  Let cool completely.

Thank you for reading!