Creating the Perfect Pretty in Pink Margarita

Sharing is caring!

Sipping on a Pretty in Pink Margarita is like drinking a tropical vacation. Cheers to the perfect blend of sweet hibiscus syrup and tangy fresh lime juice!

 

Several years ago, I made a delicious lavender margarita with white whiskey from KO Distilling.  They’re not far from the house and invited me out to visit them.  Who can say no?  I toured the facility, had a tasting, and was hooked.  The staff are all super friendly and knowledgeable.  Their spirits continue to evolve and improve.  Of course it takes time to age the perfect spirit.  And for me, their distiller’s reserve rye is their best to date!  I used it in my spiked eggnog white hot chocolate.

 

When I made that recipe, it went fairly viral in Instagram and the challenge to make a pink drink was given.  This is sort of an answer to that challenge.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t manage to work in KO Distilling, but I did manage to find a pink tequila.  Have you heard of it?  It’s Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila.  I couldn’t pass that up for this Pretty in Pink Margarita!

 

 

What is a margarita?

 

A margarita is a classic cocktail that is crafted with tequila, lime juice, and an orange liqueur, served in a salted-rim glass. Most are made with a margarita mix, but the simple and pure flavors of the tequila with fresh lime juice and orange liqueur tastes so much better than the cheap mix. 

 

The origins of the margarita are somewhat contested, with several stories claiming its creation. One popular tale suggests that the drink was first concocted in the late 1930s by a bartender named Carlos “Danny” Herrera in Baja California, Mexico.  He apparently created this cocktail for a customer who was allergic to all spirits except tequila. Another account attributes its invention to Margarita Sames, a Dallas socialite, who mixed the drink for her friends during a vacation in Acapulco in 1948. Despite its enigmatic history, the margarita remains a beloved drink worldwide.

 

 

What are Hibiscus?

 

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Known for its large, vibrant petals, the hibiscus flower is often associated with tropical climates and is a popular ornamental plant. It is also prized for its medicinal properties, with various cultures using it in traditional remedies to treat ailments such as high blood pressure and digestive issues. The sabdariffa species, commonly known as Roselle, is frequently used in the culinary world for its tangy flavor and deep red color.

 

Why is Hibiscus Popular in Teas and Other Drinks?

 

Hibiscus has gained popularity in teas and beverages due to its unique, tart taste and striking hue. Its flavor profile, reminiscent of cranberries or pomegranates, adds a refreshing zing to drinks. Beyond its taste, hibiscus is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins.  This contributes to its deep red color and offers health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and supporting cardiovascular health. As a result, hibiscus-infused drinks are not only delicious but also provide a functional boost to one’s health.  Imagine that!  A margarita with health properties!

 

 

How to Make Hibiscus Flower Simple Syrup

 

Creating hibiscus flower simple syrup is a straightforward process that brings out the flower’s distinctive flavor and color.  I was able to find a bag of the dried flowers at my local grocery store.  It was large enough to have flowers leftover for another batch of simple syrup.  And I’ll get to why that’s a good thing in a little bit.  I put a cup of flowers with a cup of water and 1 1/2 cups of sugar in a saucepan and brought the mixture to a boil.  Then, I stirred until the sugar dissolved and then reduced the heat to a low simmer until the syrup thickened.  I strained it through a fine mesh strainer and stored the syrup in a mason jar in the fridge.

 

Now, I tasted the syrup.  Since then I’ve been adding it to my sparkling water to drink.  That’s why you want to have more flowers to make more syrup.  This simple syrup is delicious in this margarita, but also great in an Italian style soda or to add to you water for delicious flavor and health benefits of the hibiscus flower.

 

 

Selecting the Perfect Ingredients

 

Crafting the perfect hibiscus margarita begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Opt for a premium tequila, preferably 100% agave, which will provide a smooth, rich base for your cocktail. I found that lovely rosa blanco tequila, but I only bought a couple of small bottles for this recipe.  To make more margaritas, I also purchased mid-range a reposado tequila for later.

 

Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential to achieve vibrant citrus notes that balance the sweetness of the hibiscus syrup. For the hibiscus element, ensure that you use well-preserved dried hibiscus flowers to make your simple syrup, as they will impart the most authentic flavor. 

 

 

How to mix the perfect pink margarita

 

Mixing is key to the perfect pretty in pink margarita preparation.  Wow, there’s enough alliteration that sentence.  Now to ensure the ingredients are well combined and the flavors are fully integrated you want to start by adding the hibiscus simple syrup to a shaker filled halfway with ice.  Then add the lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila.  

 

Shaking is key to making the perfect margarita.  First, shaking thoroughly blends the ingredients which ensures that each sip is a harmonious mix which is crucial when dealing with components with different densities like syrups and spirits.  Shaking rapidly chills the mixture.  The ice not only cools the ingredients but also slightly dilutes it.  Finally, the shaking process aerates the cocktail, adding a light, frothy texture that enhances the overall sensation and presentation.

 

 

Another element to a perfect margarita is the visual appeal. It enhances the drinking experience. For this margarita, I dipped the rim of the glass in some of the hibiscus syrup and then into some pink sanding sugar. I couldn’t find pink salt, so I went with sugar. To garnish, you can serve your hibiscus margarita with a fresh hibiscus flower if you have them. Or add a lime wheel to add a touch of elegance and color.

 

What does this pretty in pink margarita taste like?

 

I’m not a mixologist.  The initial margarita didn’t fill the glass so I had to adjust the quantities to fill the high ball I had.  I also realized that I wanted more hibiscus flavor so I upped the hibiscus syrup.  After the second batch it had the flavor I was looking for.  There was a deliciously delicate flavor of the hibiscus with the tartness of the fresh lime juice.

 

 

The tequila was smooth and really made the margarita perfectly delicious.  I’m not a tequila officianado so I can’t really tell you how it tastes compared to other tequilas.  However, after a bit of a Google search, there seems to be quite a few rosa tequilas out there.  I would see if you have one in your area and try it.  It adds to the pretty in pink part of this margarita. And something fun to share with your brunch guests!

 

Now, if you’re not a fan of hibiscus, you can make some simple syrup with some pomegranate juice or cranberry juice.  Or try some pink dragon fruit for a more exotic flavor.  Then there’s strawberries or raspberries for more domestic pink syrups. 

More Brunch Recipes:

• Pretty in Pink Margarita from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Strawberry Tea Cakes from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Fruit and Granola Tart from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Blackberry Streusel Muffins from Blogghetti
• Lemon Lavender Cupcakes from Art of Natural Living
• Eggs Benedict Burgers from The Spiffy Cookie
• Easy Cranberry Pomegranate Fizzer from A Little Fish in the Kitchen