With the wintry weather, I’ve had quite the craving for bright citrus flavors, fresh herbs, and a good strong drink. Heavy emphasis on the “good strong drink” part since I’ve found myself getting towed or pushed out of a ditch twice in the last week. My poor little Corolla that I lovingly refer to as Carol, slid off into a small ditch on our gravel road leaving my tires about a foot from a very steep drop off into a creek. A quick rescue from my dad with his truck and some tow chains saved her, but then it happened again! This time I spun out while getting off on an exit on my way home last Friday. My brother, nephew, and boyfriend were able to push her out. Next challenge was an extremely steep and slick curve. My boyfriend tried using his truck to push my car up hill before we finally deemed it too dangerous and left her parked safely in a mobile home park. It was extremely stressful at the time, but I was able to laugh about it later when the news featured Carol in all of her glory stuck in the ditch in front of the exit sign. Apparently they are reusing that shot over and over again on their recent commercials advising about more of our impending winter storms. My one shot at 15 minutes of fame and my car steals the show… dammit Carol.
Since I was snowed in with no car I set about making the best of the situation and made some thirst quenching and stress relieving margaritas! I’ve been playing around with different ways to use smoked rosemary in cocktails and thought it would make a nice pairing with blood oranges that are currently in season. I would have loved to grill the oranges on the grill, but since it was a sweltering 6 degrees Fahrenheit and the grill was buried under 8 inches of snow I had to settle for a cast iron skillet instead. It lent a mild smoky flavor that complemented the sweet citrusy flavors of the blood orange and tequila.
Even if you didn’t find your car featured on the news or have to brave the snow, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this margarita regardless!
(makes 2 margaritas)
Ingredients:
3 blood oranges
1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2oz tequila
2oz triple sec
Juice from 1 lime
Sugar and honey for rim
Ice
For a stronger rosemary flavor you can also add 1 ounce of rosemary simple syrup. Find out how to make your own from this past drink post here.
Run a few drops of honey around the rim of two glasses, dip into sugar in a shallow dish, and press to coat edges. Set aside.
Cut two of the blood oranges in half (save the third for slicing up wedges to garnish with). Sprinkle the cut sides of the oranges with the chopped rosemary. Lightly press the rosemary to the surface so it sticks.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and once hot, place oranges cut side down into the skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until surface is lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside to cool.
Once oranges have cooled, juice them into a cocktail shaker, add tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds, strain into ice filled glasses, garnish, and serve.
Enjoy responsibly!
