The Best Margarita You've Ever Had!

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It's true. I'm about to introduce you to the best margarita you've ever had in your life! It's called the Lavallette Margarita. It's so good, you're going to want to tell your friends about it. Before we get to the recipe, we need to step back a few steps. Every good cocktail has a back story. And, as is often the case, the Margarita has a very murky past. Some say it was invented by Carlos "Danny" Herrera in his restaurant near Tijuana in 1938. However, The Café Royal Cocktail Book from 1937 has a recipe identical to the Margarita but called the Picador. Believe it or not, the stories become even more convoluted after that. Suffice it to say that no one really knows who invented the Margarita. You are probably feeling a little dejected at this point, dear reader, but I have good news. I know exactly where and by whom the Lavallette Margarita was invented. The 80s were a crazy time, so I don't know exactly when it was invented, but two out of three ain't bad. The story, as it was told to me, starts with a summer home on the Jersey shore, in Lavalette, to be exact. My friend, Stephen von Weber, enjoyed inviting friends to visit and hang out at the beach. It's hard to know where inspiration struck, but it's safe to say he invented the perfect Margarita to serve to his guests. It doesn't have tartness or the harshness you might expect from Margaritas you've made at home with store-bought Margarita Mix. I don't know about you, but the older I get the less my body tolerates the excessive amount of citric acid added to those concoctions. Fear not! This recipe uses none of those.

What's the secret ingredient that makes this one so yummy? I know you're dying to know. It's beer, but not just any beer. You want to use something that is "skunky" as we call it in the biz. Genessee Cream Ale is what the original recipe calls for, but, if you can't find Genessee, I highly recommend Moosehead or Heineken in that order. One last note. I confess I prefer my Margarita not be blended. The Lavalette Margarita, however, really is in it's prime when blended.

So now, the moment you've been waiting for. The recipe!!!

Lavalette Margarita

Makes 1 pitcher

Ingredients:

Ice - Lots of ice. Fill your blender jar about 2/3 full

6 oz. Tequila - The truth is it doesn't matter. This recipe can make any tequila taste fabulous

1/2 can Limeade

2 oz. Triple Sec

6 oz. Beer

Directions:

Add all ingredients and set the blender to puree. Puree until you're happy with the results.

Serve immediately.