In my opinion, there is nothing better on a hot summer evening than a nice cold Margarita. But I am spoiled. I don’t care for Margarita mixes. I want (and truly feel I deserve) a Margarita that has been lovingly made using only top drawer ingredients. (I love that term – top drawer. The term  is said to have been derived from the British expression “out of the top drawer”, which historically was a way to describe someone’s social status. The drawer part refers to chests with multiple drawers. A person who had valuable possessions was undoubtedly of a higher social status, and would have kept their valuables in the top drawer of a chest for easier access.) Well, Mr. C. and I absolutely don’t fit the original definition, but regardless, we, and of course our friends, definitely deserve “top drawer” ingredients. So if you too feel you are top drawer ingredients worthy, try this amazing recipe. It’s about as simple as any drink recipe could be. And yes, it’s more expensive to make than using a mix, and yes it takes more time to prepare, but really, aren’t all of us worth that little bit of extra cost and effort? I know I am, and I am absolutely positive you are too! Once you have tasted one of these babies (but watch out, they are lethal), you will be hard pressed to go back to using a Margarita mix. (And yes, I know Cuervo Especial Tequila is not made from 100% blue agave. But, in my humble opinion, and that of the resident mixologist, using super premium tequila in a mixed drink would be carrying the whole “top drawer” thing just a little too far. For sipping, tequila made with 100% blue agave is perfect, but in a Margarita, a little too over the top and truly not necessary. Not to mention, a little too dear for our pocketbook.) Salud!

• 2 parts good quality tequila (like Cuervo Especial)
• 1 part Cointreau (orange flavored liqueur)
• 1 part fresh lime juice (don’t even think about using the stuff from a bottle or cute little plastic lime thingy)
• ice
• coarse salt (kosher works fine)

Combine tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and ice in a martini shaker. Shake well and pour the liquid and a few of the ice cubes into prepared glasses. Garnish with a thin wedge of lime. To prepare the glasses, rub the rims with lime and dip into coarse salt. Chill glasses if time allows.