Super Fresh Margarita Mix

When you’re making your own DIY margarita mix, you control the sweetness … and the sweetener. 

This margarita mix can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for a stretch — or — for frozen margarita lovers, frozen like ice cubes, ready for frozen margaritas on demand (all included in the recipe that follows).

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• a scant 1/2 cup agave syrup or 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 8-12 limes, depending on their size and juiciness)
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 medium orange)

Instructions: 

If using agave syrup: whisk together the syrup and water until completely combined.
If using sugar: heat water and sugar in a small sauce pan over medium until completely dissolved. Allow to cool.

Pour the sweetened liquid into a pitcher and stir in the lime and orange juice. Homemade mix, done!

Mix will keep in the fridge for about a week, OR:
Prep ahead and freeze 2 tablespoon amounts in standard ice cube trays (2 tablespoons will fit perfectly in each cell). Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a sealable container or zipper bag for frozen margaritas on demand.

Notes:
To save calories, this recipe uses fresh orange juice as a replacement for orange liqueur (1 ounce of Grand Marnier = 76 calories, 1 ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice = 13 calories). Personally, I don't miss the liqueur, and prefer the fresh citrus boost of orange juice, but, of course, do tinker with the orange juice ratio (or leave it out entirely) if you decide to use the liqueur along with the tequila. Also, this recipe is more tart than the standard margarita (which is my preference — not a huge fan of those syrupy-sweet bottled mixes). If you like it sweeter, try it with a 2/3-cup-sweetener to 1-cup-water ratio, or a 1-to-1 ratio if you're excluding the orange juice in favor of the liqueur (orange juice is sweeter than lime juice, so you can use less sugar). For a subtle, but interesting, twist on the classic lime margarita, substitute a portion of the lime juice with lemon juice.

Source:  SoupAddict