Art Imitating Life Imitating Art (The genesis of a new top-shelf margarita) is an article that appeared in the Winter 2014 edition of the nationally and internationally known BARTENDER® Magazine.
Several years after beginning the Black Book Investigations of Michael Grant series of novels I realized that my character who also frequented my favorite Mexican restaurant, Desperados had created a new cocktail by always asking for a "splash of '43'" in his top-shelf margarita that Desperados had already won awards for. I set about to recreate the drink and came up with the recipe at the bottom of the blog. I received the coveted registered "Cocktailright®" from BARTENDER® Magazine on September 3, 2013.
A "Cocktailright®" is essentially to the bartending and cocktail world what a copyright is to a writer, etc. It protects your idea (recipe) and ownership of that idea and the rights appurtenant thereto.
Make your own
Michael Grant Margarita
Here's what you will need:
Recipe:
MICHAEL GRANT
Ingredients:
1 oz Caurenta y Tres (Licor 43)
1/2 oz Grand Marnier (Cordon Rouge)
1 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Cointreau
2 1/2 oz Sweet & Sour Mix*
1/2 oz Patron Silver Tequila**
Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker fill halfway with ice. Add all ingredients with exception of Licor 43. “Lime” the rim of glass, dip into Kosher or Sea Salt. Ice glass, strain mixture. Garnish with lime wedge, top with Licor 43†, stir and serve.
The Michael Grant Margarita tastes best ‘on the rocks’. I do not recommend putting the mixture in a blender with ice, it seems to change the flavor profile.
IMPORTANT if your Michael Grant tastes ‘bitter’, you have mixed it incorrectly.
† Or mix with other ingredients as you go. Topping, is a nod to the “splash of 43” Michael Grant always requested as an addition to the Desperados’ top-shelf margarita... however ‘mixing as you go’ makes for a smoother drink.
*Note: Commercial sweet and sour mix is available but fresh is always best and will better complement the drink. To make your own Sweet & Sour Mix. In a separate glass squeeze enough lemons to make 8oz of lemon juice then add 2 tablespoons of sugar. Make sure your sugar is completely dissolved then add the amount needed for the number of drinks you are making. Keep the same juice to sugar ratio if more Sweet & Sour Mix is needed. Bitter S&SM make bitter drinks.
** Note: Michael Grant’s favorite Tequila is Patron Silver, but if you have a different favorite you are free to substitute for Patron Silver. However, remember, generally speaking, the higher the quality of the tequila the better and smoother the taste.
Or you can visit Desperados (Uno) at 4818 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75206
for a great meal and a 'fresh-squeezed' Michael Grant Margarita
Or you can visit Desperados (Dos) at 3443 W. Campbell Road @ Jupiter, Garland, Texas 75044
for the same great food and Michale Grant Margaritas
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