I always think of drinks made with tequila as summer drinks. I think it’s the association with Mexico, where it is always warm, that makes me think of tequila that way. Now, I’m sure someone with much more knowledge of Mexico than me is out there thinking, “It’s not always warm in Mexico” but having spent a good portion of my life living in the upper mid-west and in New England, northern Mexico’s winter temperatures that sometimes approach freezing, barely make it to chilly in my book and definitely not to cold. Yep, Mexico is pretty much always warm, from my perspective!
Adding two kinds of citrus juice to the tequila to make this cocktail clinches it as a summer drink. The addition of cardamom gives it that interesting twist that I look for in recipes. Cardamom is an ancient spice, native to India and Southeast Asia, that is used in many Indian dishes. Its menthol & gingery undertone pairs well with the grapefruit. We found this drink refreshing & surprisingly delicious! Saveur magazine quips that this drink has soul and calls it, “The Soul Train.”
Cardamom & Tequila Cocktail
Cardamom & Tequila Cocktail (adapted from saveur.com)
Cardamom Simple Syrup:
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil to dissolve all the sugar, then remove it from the heat and stir in the cardamom. Allow the syrup to cool completely then refrigerate it before use. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Cocktail:
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cardamom simple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons grapefruit juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
- lime slice for garnish, if desired
Combine the tequila, syrup and juices in an ice-filled shaker. Shake it well then strain the drink into a tumbler of ice and garnish with a lime slice.
Get your “soul” on with this one!
Yep, this drink definitely has soul! ~Linda
Cardamom & Tequila Cocktail (adapted from saveur.com)
Cardamom Simple Syrup:
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil to dissolve all the sugar, then remove it from the heat and stir in the cardamom. Allow the syrup to cool completely then refrigerate it before use. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Cocktail:
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cardamom simple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons grapefruit juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
- lime slice for garnish, if desired
Combine the tequila, syrup and juices in an ice-filled shaker. Shake it well then strain the drink into a tumbler of ice and garnish with a lime slice.