Early in December we’ll be heading down to our timeshare for a week of sun. Each day there has a fairly typical routine that includes being back in one of the timeshare apartments playing Scrabble, cards, reading and, of course, having afternoon drinks. It for that reason that one of the items I may be packing this year is a citrus squeeze. Yes, I may actually bring my own citrus squeezer along on our vacation. Why? Because nothing is better than a delicious fresh margarita made with fresh squeezed lime juice!!
Over the years we’ve tried a number of different juicers. All worked well enough but, recently, Elana found one that stands above all others. It’s a simple kitchen utensil that makes quick business of juicing lemons and limes.
Enter the Amco Enameled Aluminum Lemon Squeezer.
The Squeezer is simple but does a good job of getting as much juice from the limes as possible. (That’s a good thing considering how much they have the menu to suggest and cost depending upon the season.)
There are a few tricks to getting the best results as possible. First, before you cut the lime in half, cut off both of the ends. I don’t know why this makes a difference but with this juicer it does. Then, one at a time squeeze each half of the line as much as possible. When you’re done, don’t throw it away yet because there’s still more juice that can be drawn from it. After all of the initial halves have been juiced start piling them into the juicer two or three at a time depending upon how many will fit. Squeeze down hard again. Then take the combination of “empty” limes and put them on their side. Squeeze again. You will be amazed at just how much juice you can actually get out of the small citrus.
And if you don’t like the look of this one you can try OXO’s offering, the OXO Good Grips Citrus Squeezer.
So what’s the best possible recipe for a good margarita? I checked out a number of bartending apps for my iPhone and ultimately came back to the simplest of all. One part triple sec or Cointreau, two parts fresh squeezed lime juice, three parts good tequila. Yum Yum Yum
Do you have a recipe you prefer? Let us know in the comments.
The Amco Enameled Aluminum Lemon Squeezer is under $12 through our Affiliate Store. The OXO Good Grips Citrus Squeezer is just $13.99.
I love my hand juicer. I used to use one of those pointy wooden reamers until a bartender told me that the pith was what made drinks too bitter. (I realize just about everything I’ve typed so far sounds dirty…)
I’ll definitely try the tip of cutting the ends off my limes for extra juicing. I’m a big fan of Dark n’ Stormys, so many a lime gets squeezed in my house. Thanks for the info!
Mmmmm. I’d love to hear your recipe for margs. I’m usually lazy and get a mix. Normally, I’m a ‘on the rocks with salt’ kinda gut, but one of my favorites is Desert Pepper frozen mix. But it is very hard to find.
Mixes are bad! Especially when margaritas from scratch are so easy to make! And once you’ve had a made from scratch one, you’ll gag when you drink one made from a mix. It’s a fact. 😉
Amen- the mix is like adding margarita-flavored koolaid to tequila. Totally different animal. The hardest part of a fresh margarita is simply squeezing the limes… in other words, it is simple. And delicious.
So, I’m anxious to buy a squeezer, but neither of you shared a recipe. ie, 4 limes, Xoz of tequila, Xoz of Triple Sec, sugar?, water?, ……come on. I’m getting thirsty.
1 part triple sec
2 parts lime
3-4 parts tequila
it is that simple.
This is Kev’s recipe; I can vouch for its tastiness. Hornitos Silver Tequila (not super $$, but still good), Cointreau, Tropicana (some pulp) orange juice, fresh squeezed lime juice and ice. Mix to taste, but the general gist is two shots of tequila, one shot Cointreau, the juice from 2.5 – 3 limes, throw a couple splashes of orange juice on top. If you are feeling really bold, an extra shot of tequila on top! =)
Awesome. I better get to the liquor store tomorrow. Thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family! =)