NanaBread’s “Mexican Martinis”

I’m not really a drinker, but I love this cocktail. We discovered these at Chuy’s Mexican Cantina in Austin, Texas. And once we did, we made a conscious effort to rediscover them over and over again {insert cheeky wink here}. The name is a little misleading. While these are served in martini glasses, they are actually margaritas. Here’s the breakdown: a mind-blowing homemade margarita mix poured into a cocktail shaker full of ice, vigorously shaken, and strained into glasses garnished with salted rims and a skewer of jalapeno-stuffed olives. Sold yet? You will be.

NanaBread’s Mexican Martinis:
2 cans (12 ozs. each) Minute Maid limeade frozen concentrate
2 empty limeade cans full of cold water
1 good pinch of salt
1/4 cup Grand Marnier
1/4 cup Triple Sec
3/4 cup good quality tequila (I use Hornitos Reposado)
1 to 2 tablespoons of olive juice from the olive jar
a bowl of ice cubes or crushed ice for the cocktail shaker
1 jar of jalapeno-stuffed olives, for garnish

Combine all ingredients except for the ice and jalapeno-stuffed olives in a pitcher and mix well to combine. To serve, dip the rims of your glasses in lime juice and then into salt to “rim” the glasses. Put jalapeno-stuffed olives onto a toothpick or drink skewer and set aside. In a cocktail shaker or canning jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine 1 cup of ice and enough margarita mix to fill to 2/3 full. Make sure the lid is on tight and shake for at least one minute or until the mix is freezing cold. Strain the margarita mix into your glasses (being careful not to ruin your salted rims). Garnish with a skewer of jalapeno-stuffed olives and serve immediately.

A few recommendations:
1. Save the olives for last; they taste even better after they soak a while.
2. Feel free to add more or less olive juice, to your own taste. I go for more.
3. These are good on their own, but I prefer them with a plate of Mexican food.
4. Drink responsibly; don’t drink & drive; designate a driver; or plan to stay in.
5. Invite me to your house when you make these & I’ll be your new best friend.