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Bonfire Margarita Recipe

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With just a few simple ingredients, you can up your margarita game at the next backyard BBQ, fiesta with friends or late-night bonfire.

Bonfire Margarita Recipe

First, let’s talk about the classic margarita recipe.  In its most basic form, a margarita is a mix of tequila, orange liquor and lime juice.  A margarita can be made on the rocks or blended with ice, and you have the option to add salt to the rim or not.

With this Bonfire Margarita, I’ve kept flavors similar to a classic margarita while adding some smoky depth of flavor.  The base liquor is bourbon barrel-aged Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila.  Rich with notes of vanilla and oak, this amber tequila lends a robust complexity to the cocktail.  The reposado tequila is mixed with a little mezcal for smokiness, lime juice for freshness and simple syrup for balance.  Drops of orange bitters compliment the tequila while a smoked salt rim echoes the toasty notes of the mezcal.  This refreshing cocktail is finished with an aromatic strip of fresh orange zest.  Continue reading for the recipe.

Bonfire Margarita Ingredients

The ratio of 1.5 oz. tequila to .5 oz. mezcal  (thanks for the tip @justinbonnema!) creates a slight smoky flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the nuanced notes of the Reposado and orange bitters.  This cocktail can also be made with silver tequila, but you’ll lose a little complexity.

Smoked sea salt is a fun ingredient to keep in your pantry.  It can add a slight smokiness to cocktails, salads, pasta dishes, roasted vegetables and even desserts! It can also be used as a finishing salt for grilled or roasted meats.  If your smoked sea salt is really coarse, crush it up a bit to achieve a finer texture for this cocktail.

Bonfire Margarita Recipe

This Bonfire Margarita would be a perfect addition to any Cinco de Mayo bash.  Prepare plenty of simple syrup in advance, and keep all ingredients well chilled.  Lime juice should be squeezed fresh.  Also, don’t forget ice!!

Serves these margaritas with a recipe from each of the following categories:

Appetizers: Queso Fundido, Salsa Verde, Bacon Tostilocos
Mains: Pork & Hominy Stew, Crispy Fish Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos
Desserts: Vanilla Mezcal Ice Cream, Pineapple Tequila Sorbet, Dark Chocolate Chile Ice Cream

Enjoy!!

Bonfire Margarita Recipe

Bonfire Margarita Recipe
4.8 from 5 votes
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Bonfire Margarita Recipe

Inspired by this Atlos Paloma recipe.
Servings 1 cocktail
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila
  • 1/2 ounce mezcal
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice, from about 1 lime
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup*
  • 5 dashes orange bitters

Smoked sea salt, for garnish**

1 slice orange zest, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing the glass. Moisten the edge of a glass with lime juice, then dip into smoked sea salt. The salt will stick to the rim of the glass.
  2. Add ice to the prepared glass along with tequila, mezcal, lime juice, simple syrup and orange bitters, stirring to chill and combine. Garnish with a slice of orange zest.

Recipe Notes

* Simple syrup is made by warming up equal parts sugar and water, and stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Recently I’ve been making this in the microwave! But you can also easily prepare on the stovetop.

** If your smoked sea salt is on the coarse side, grind it up a bit in a mortar and pestle, or place in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.

This post was written in partnership with Olmeca Altos Tequila.  All thoughts, opinions and recipes are my own.  Connect with Olmeca Altos Tequila on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Hahah YES!! I totally agree 🙂 Thanks Lauren. Let me know how you like the cocktail.

      Reply

  10. Jennifer Farley says

    I started making “real” margaritas (as opposed to the cheaper bar versions) recently and they’re a revelation. So refreshing! This looks wonderful. I have smoked sea salt and will definitely try adding some!

    Reply

  11. Christie says

    I love a margarita on the rocks especially in the summer. What a great idea to use smoked salt. I will definitely try that next tine.

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks so much! Glad you like my photos. Let me know if you enjoy the margarita 🙂

      Reply

  14. Willow | Will Cook For Friends says

    4 stars
    Your description of this drink have my mouth watering! I love a good, from-scratch margarita (no thanks to the store-bought mixes), and this one sounds so complex and interesting. I’m not a huge fan of mezcal because I find it tends to overwhelm the other flavors, but using it in combination, just a little, with another alcohol might just solve that issue. I’ve never tried the Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila before, but now I’ll have to keep my eye out for it! Thanks for the tips!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Haha thanks Willow! Yeah, Mezcal can be strong. I enjoy the flavor and even had it straight up when I was in Mexico City!! Here it’s very balanced with the lime juice.

      Reply

  18. Anne Murphy says

    5 stars
    I’m fascinated by the idea of a smoky flavor in a margarita! I usually think of them as bright and fresh, because of the citrus, and this takes it in a different, complex direction. Interesting.

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      It is interesting! This drink is both fresh and smoky 🙂 The lime juice keeps it from being too smoky.

      Reply

  20. Lisa Goldfinger says

    5 stars
    I love the smokiness. So perfect for a BBQ! I wish I could have one right now but first I need to stock up on some smoked sea salt, which I plan to do. Thanks for the great recipe Brandon.

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Smoked sea salt is a really fun item to have in your pantry. Not a necessity, but it can add a hit of smoke to a dish or cocktail without having to break out the grill!

      Reply

  24. Lucy says

    I wrote an article on reposado tequila last year, and I got to sample a whole bunch of different ones. I totally fell in love! The smoky flavor is so amazing. This margarita sounds totally delish. Love the orange bitters!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      I was mainly a silver tequila drinker in the past, but in my recent years, I’ve grown to appreciate the aged varietals. So I’m with ya there. Thanks Lucy!!

      Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks!! I mainly fine myself drinking them on the rocks, but sometimes blended is good 🙂

      Reply

  28. Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says

    As a die hard salt lover I need to get my hands on some smoked sea salt – not sure I’ve ever seen that in stores! That is the perfect finishing touch to this smoky margarita! YUM!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      I know for sure they have it at Williams-Sonoma, and I think I’ve seen it at one of our local grocery stores in San Diego.

      Reply

  30. Molly Kumar says

    5 stars
    OMG, this looks Perfect !!! Margarita’s is my favorite drink and your recipe looks amazing….I’ve never heard of ‘smoked sea salt’ and I’m gonna look for it next time I go shopping 🙂

    Reply

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