Monday, May 4, 2009

Cinco de My Oh My!

I used to think Cinco de Mayo was Mexican Independence Day or something really major. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and it sounds like it's about a regional battle and is celebrated much more in the United States than in Mexico. I know the reason for this. Around here, Cinco de Mayo is loosely translated as "excuse to go out for Mexican food and drink Tequila." Not a bad little holiday, when you look at it that way.

When I got out to our local Mexican restaurant I always order the same thing. It's a messy plate of beans, rice, tomatoes, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and pounds of oozy, melted cheese. Probably not authentic in the least, but amazingly good. And what goes better with all that than a margarita?

Since my life motto is "Eat Dessert First," I thought I'd put dessert into the margarita. Or is it the margarita into the dessert? Either way, it's fabulous. You don't even need an ice cream maker to whip up a batch of this amazing treat. Just stir the ingredients together in a bowl, whip briefly with an electric mixer, then put in the freezer overnight. The alcohol content keeps the ice cream smooth.



Although this presentation of the ice cream was fun, I'd recommend serving scoops in small bowls, then sprinkling the top with your favorite coarse salt. The salt combined with the tequila and the cream is amazing. Really! If you eat dessert first, you might not even want to make it to the main meal.

Margarita Ice Cream
- adapted from Nigella Express

1/2 cup lime juice
3 Tbsp Cointreau or triple sec
2 Tbsp tequila
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups heavy cream
Coarse salt for garnishing


1- Pour the lime juice, Cointreau (or triple sec), and tequila into a bowl and sti in the sugar to dissolve.

2- Add the cream and stir to blend. Softly whip with a handheld mixer or whisk until thick and smooth but not stiff.

3- Spoon into an airtight container to freeze overnight. Serve directly from the freezer; the alcohol keeps if from freezing too hard and it will melt quickly.

Makes about 1-1/2 quarts.

22 comments:

  1. Sam and I have greatly been enjoying our little share of it. yum!

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  2. haha you mean you might not make it to the meal if you eat enough of this!!
    This sounds like wonderful fun.

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  3. I'm with Tanna, who needs dinner?
    I would have these all night!

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  4. great motto; thats how i roll too!

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  5. great motto; thats how i roll too!

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  6. I'm on a roll and this fits right in! We made Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream on Friday, and I'm soon going to make Rhubarb Sorbet (need to buy the fresh ginger and some orange zest first), and now this. Thanks!

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  7. Very refreshing!! And great presentation!

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  8. I think I would like this! I might need to taste test 2 or 3 first, to be sure.
    So naughty but 'nice ice cream'.

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  9. I've never had a Marguerita (and I lived in the Dallas/Ft Worth area for 12 years) but this recipe makes me want to try it right away.

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  10. I LOVE margaritas, and would love this if I could eat ice cream, sounds great.

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  11. It's just an excuse to eat tacos and drink down here--pretty much the same thing we do every celebration!

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  12. Oh Lynn, this ice cream looks fabulous. I love margarita flavor (and the drinks, too). I just love that you topped the ice cream with a sprinkling of salt. How delightful!!

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  13. Looks absolutely wonderful!

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  14. Great idea for ice cream. My husband loves to make ice cream and experiment with different flavors. I'll have to show him this one!

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  15. I have long wanted to make this ice cream. What am I waiting for? It looks amazing.

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  16. Cinqo de Mayo is BIG here in San Diego. But we're staying in tonight and avoiding the crowds. Wish I had some of your ice cream for dessert.

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  17. Ah I need a pint of this. Don't you know the Margarita is my favorite drink?
    Come enter my Mother's Day giveaway!

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  18. I'm not surprised the U.S. celebrates Cinco more than Mexico. Ha.

    And what a neat recip - I have never heard of such!

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  19. A holiday made just for food?! Sign me up, then! :) And the ice cream-- yes please :)

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  20. What a lovely idea to 'ice your drink' Looks great. Love that serving glass, very pretty.
    My kind of line; Dessert first!

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  21. Now that is one grogeous and creative dessert!

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