What’s a Cinco de Mayo fiesta without a margarita? Trick question. There’s no such thing as a fiesta without a margarita.  The true Margarita, made from fresh lime juice,  is one of our favorites drinks because 1) we love the salt on the rim, 2) the Margarita glass is fun to hold and 3) they are delicious. We prefer a shaken Margarita to the frozen slushy kind for the simple reason that there is less chance of brain freeze when you forget what you are doing (see the last sentence) and drink them too fast. Whatever you do, don’t succumb to the easy out of purchased already squeezed lime juice! The fresh lime is the only way to go, so choose limes that are heavy and thin skinned for the highest juice yield. On another note, your choice of tequila will really make a difference in the smoothness of this drink. We used 1800 Silver tequila and thought they were the best Margaritas we ever tasted. A word to the wise…these can be dangerous however, as they are so delicious that you will drink them faster than you probably should.Makes 6

3 limes, quartered lengthwise and sliced
Kosher or coarse salt

2 cups premium tequila such as 1800 Silver
1/2 cup Cointreau, Gran Marnier or triple sec
1/2 cup lime juice

Lay 8 of the lime quarters on a plate matching the circumference of the glasses you will be using for the drinks. Pour about 1/4 cup of the salt on another plate.

Gently press the rims of the glasses down onto the limes, twisting to make the rims juicy. Then lightly dip the wet rims into the salt to coat them. Place the glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes to chill them off.

Combine the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a pitcher. Measure out 8 ounces of the mix per drink and transfer it to a shaker with about 1/2 cup crushed ice. Shake until the shaker is frosty and cold. Pour the mixture into the prepared glasses and add more of the crushed ice to the glass. Make the remaining drinks in the same manner. Garnish with some of the remaining lime quarters and serve immediately.