During the love-month of February, concoct a delightful and easy cocktail for your sweetheart and make it even sweeter by adding a distinct Filipino flavor to the drink.

Margaritas typically use lime as the main ingredient, but for this version, you can use frozen calamansi concentrate. In the Philippines, we are familiar with the calamansi as those small, round citrus fruit that have a piercing, sweet flavor. In this beverage, the frozen concentrate  gives a tantalizing tropical flavor. This thirst-quenching beverage pairs well with any special meal. From the “How to Cook Philippine Desserts: Cakes and Snacks“ Cookbook by Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino. Serves 4.

Calamansi Frozen Margarita (Photo by Constante G. Quirino)

Ingredients

• Coarse salt, for the glass rim
• 4 to 5 cups ice cubes
• ¾ cup tequila
• 2/3 cup frozen calamansi concentrate (or freshly squeezed calamansi juice)
• ½ cup corn syrup
• 4 fresh calamansi slices (optional)

Procedure

• Moisten the rims of 4 margarita glasses with cold water, then dip them in a bowl filled with coarse salt. Chill the glasses in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Combine the ice cubes, tequila, calamansi concentrate and corn syrup in a blender. Pulse and blend for about 2 minutes until concoction is smooth.
• Pour the frozen cocktail immediately into the margarita glasses and garnish with fresh calamansi slices. Serve chilled.