Meg Romano from Nina’s Tacos & Tequila in Bozeman serves up the essence of summer.
MAKES 1 DRINK
Crystallized Lime Zest
1 lime
2 tablespoons sugar
1 pinch salt
Zest lime with Microplane zester. Rub lime zest with sugar and salt, then place on a tray to crystalize and dry overnight. May be made days in advance and stored in an airtight container.
Cocktail
2 ounces Casamigos Reposado Tequila
1 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3 ounces fresh watermelon purée
2 fresh strawberries
1 teaspoon agave
2 thin jalapeño slices
1 thin watermelon slice
2 thin strawberry slices
1 thin lime slice, plus more for salting the rim
Splash of Fresca
Dash of Tajín
“Salt” the rim of your cocktail glass with crystalized lime zest by rubbing a lime slice along the glass’s edge then tilting it into the zest so the outside edge becomes coated. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
Place the first six cocktail ingredients into a shaker, shake vigorously, and pour into the prepared glass. Place jalapeño, watermelon, strawberry, and lime slices into the cocktail, top with a splash of Fresca, and add a dash of Tajín.
Note: The margarita can be modified with various seasonal fruits such as peaches, nectarines, rhubarb, or blackberries.
