as i mentioned here, winter is really prime time for oranges, lemons, grapefruit…really citrus of any kind, which couldn’t be better timing, because i don’t know of anyone that wouldn’t benefit from a vitamin c boost right about now.

last week, the mister was sick.  i thought i had escaped unscathed, until monday, when i came down with a killer sore throat & a voice that sounded remarkably like marcel the shell‘s.

well, since monday, all i’ve been drinking is shots of generic dayquil & nyquil respectively {the only things on earth that actually taste like red & green}, but before, back when i could taste things, i couldn’t get enough of these spicy grapefruit margaritas.

i’ve avoided margaritas made with sour mix since the great hangover of 2009, aka my my 27th birthday & the switch to margaritas made with real juice has been much tastier.  in mexico, we had fresh lime, cucumber & tamarind, but the grapefruit, with its balance of tart & heat, has been my favorite.

SPICY GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITAS
serves 4

1 cup tequila (we used a reposado)
1 habenero chile, halved
kosher salt
2 cups fresh grapefruit juice (about 2 large grapefruits)
dash of orange bitters

mix together tequila & chiles.  let steep a maximum of three hours, checking each hour for spiciness.  discard chiles & strain, if necessary.

pour water on a small plate to cover.  pour kosher salt on another small plate to cover.  dip the rims of four 12oz glasses in the water, then the salt, fill each glass with ice.

add 1/4 cup of spicy tequila, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice & a dash of orange bitters (per drink) to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  shake & pour over salt rimmed glasses.

adapted from bon appetit