Back in February, my husband and I had a little Valentine’s weekend getaway in Phoenix. And while we were there, we ate at a restaurant called The Gladly and I had a Thai margarita that was absolutely delicious. So I added it to my list of things to make and put my own spin on it. If you haven’t had tamarind yet, it’s deeeeelish! It’s super tart and tangy and tastes pretty much just like candy which makes it even more delicious in a cocktail! I’m not a fan of triple sec so I rarely add it to my margaritas, but feel free to add it to yours. You’re a grown up, you can do whatever you want. Being a grown up is the best.
Since I’ve been traveling so much and eating at so many amazing restaurants, I’ve been enjoying being a grown up a little too much. I’m not a person who enjoys a vodka soda or a sh*tty margarita mix at a restaurant, but I seem to enjoy a craft cocktail more than I used to. So when I go to a restaurant I may never go to again, I have a hard time turning a drink down. BUT even after one cocktail, I can feel and also see the difference and change it makes in my body. With just one drink. It’s pretty bananas and still surprises me even though I know what alcohol does to a body.
I say all this because even though I enjoy cocktails sometimes and I like making them for my blog in the summer, alcohol still isn’t good for you. It’s just like sugar – it’s pretty much poison for your body. But if you are going to drink (or eat sugar), you might as well know exactly what you are putting into your body instead of drinking mixes that include things like – “Water, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate, Gum Acacia, CMC Gum, SAIB, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Caramel Color, Yellow #5.” SAIB always makes for the best margaritas, am I right?
Anywho, since I’ve been back from traveling, I haven’t drank any alcohol and I’ve been chugging water and I feel SO MUCH BETTER. Even having one cocktail per night on my recent trips threw my body and brain completely off. And now after a week of being back home, I finally feel like myself again. I may not be totally selling you on this cocktail, but I wanted to share that insight and experience because even though we should enjoy life, we should also know what it feels like to feel our best as often as possible. So pick your poison carefully. Start looking at ingredients and start being aware of what you’re consuming and decide if it’s worth it or not. And if you’re stuck trying to sound out an ingredient such as Acesulfame, maybe just try out a real ingredient like coconut nectar instead.
Ok. I’ll get off my high horse. It’s like I think I’m a grown up or something.
Thai Margaritas
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup coconut nectar (agave or honey)
- 1 1/2 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
- 2 lemongrass stalks, hit with the back of a knife to release the fragrance
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1–1 1/2 cups silver tequila
- 1/3 cup lime juice
For the rim:
- 1/2 lime
- chili lime seasonings
- 1 fresno pepper, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Place water, coconut nectar, tamarind concentrate, lemongrass stalks, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, whisking until coconut nectar dissolves. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes then strain through a mesh strainer. Place in fridge to cool completely.
- In a pitcher, add chilled simple syrup along with the rest of the ingredients and stir together.
- Use a lime to squeeze around the edge of four or five 8-ounce glasses then dip them into the chili lime seasonings. Add ice to each glass, pour margarita mix into glass then top with lime wedges and sliced fresno peppers.
Notes
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More Spicy Cocktails!
Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas
Grilled Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas
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Juli, I love that you are always bringing your readers new content and ideas! You have so much content that those of us that have only been fortunate enough to discover you in the last year or two can go back and find even more recipes. I just made your Brownie Batter Sweet Potato Collagen Shake https://paleomg.com/brownie-batter-sweet-potato-collagen-shake/ from your post about a year ago and it was delicious. This cocktail seems like the right one to kick-off Memorial Day weekend. -Elena
hope you love it elena!
I’m going to the Caribbean at the end of June and know I will be enjoying plenty of drinks on the beach. Is there anything you did when you were on your boat trip to beat the after drink bloat? Or do you just enjoy and roll with it knowing its a special vacation?
the only thing you can really do for that is drink a shit ton of water…or not drink haha
I don’t understand why margarita mix is even a thing. Lime juice, tequila, triple Sec, ice, maybe agave.
And it stinks because the best Mexican restaurants in my area serve the yellow #9 mix margaritas and the places with real.margaritas have the least authentic food.
This drink sounds great though! I can’t wait to make one.
agreed!! so annoying places don’t usually make their own simple drinks
THIS LOOKS SO DELICIOUS + I’m putting this at the top of my list for drinks to drink after giving birth to this babe in September.
hope you like it colleen!
Love the look of this, particularly the seasoning round the rim. Looks very cool. I am planning a garden party in a couple of weeks and am gathering recipes – this completely fits the bill!