Chunky Cucumber Shishito Margarita

One of the best aspects of Florida livin’ is, of course, the weather. I confess to missing snow occasionally. But now my holiday season happily includes still being able to sit outside with my journal & a stiff margarita. Admittedly chunky, I’m not sure if it is a margarita or a cucumber smoothie with tequila. Whatever you call it, this darlin’ is refreshing, potent, and used up the last of my garden’s shishitos. If you aren’t familiar, shishito peppers are finger size and green while young, maturing to deep red. Both are brighter in color and flavor than a traditional green pepper, and deliciously sweet. I love what they add to this margarita, especially with the extra tang of the lime and Tajin.
For the record, Tajin is addictive so don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

Chunky Cucumber Shishito Margarita

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 2/3 c white tequila we used Milagro Reposado
• 2/3 c fresh lime juice to taste
• 1/2 c orange liqueur we used triple sec
• 1/3 cucumber seeded & thinly sliced plus more for garnish
• 1-2 shishito pepper plus more for garnish. We used green in the blend & red as garnish
• 2 c ice
• Tajin Classico Seasoning used to rim glasses

Instructions

 

• Using a blender, blend cucumber, orange liqueur, 1-2 shishito peppers, tequila and 1 cup of ice. Peel & seed cucumber if you prefer, but I like the product of blending in whole chunks.

  Place 1 cup of ice in a cocktail shaker.  Add desired amount of margarita.  Cover.  Shake well.

  To rim glass- Spread a few tablespoons of Tajin Classico into shallow bowl. Use cut wedge of lime to moisten rim of glass.  Dip the rim into Tajin forming a thin layer.  Do not go crazy heavy with this;  a little Tajin goes a long way.

  Carefully pour margarita in glass.  Add cucumber, shishito, as garnish

Notes

*There are obviously millions of margarita variations. Play around with it. Figure out your preferences.

*I like my tart things TART. If you do not, start with half of the lime juice and add more to taste. The triple sec adds enough sweetness for me.
*I no longer have a sweet tooth when it comes to drinks so I choose not to add traditional agave simple sugar, or sweetener of any kind to this. If you like it, by all means add it.

*I liked the ease & chunky essence provided by blending the cucumber in the margarita. If you prefer a more traditional vibe, add all ingredients except ice into a pitcher & let sit for an hour or two in the fridge.

The shishito pepper adds brightness without heat. If you like it spicy, substitute jalapeno.

*Garnishes as pictured are very thinly cucumber sliced horizontally and woven onto cocktail skewer with slices of shishito cap.