Ay, ay, ay, ay… Mariachi & Margaritas in Brooklyn!

#Cocktails at a little festive,  Mexican-themed party with live music (courtesy of hostess and  Cookie Craft co-author Janice’s Brooklyn neighbors…)

Peterson’s supplied the Margaritas–simple and classic, on the rocks with salt.

For the non-alcoholically-inclined, refreshing No-Sir-itas are made with agave nectar… ¡Olé!

Classic Margaritas – a pitcherful

Makes 8 potent servings

3 cups (24 ounces) tequila

1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) Triple Sec

1 cup (8 ounces) freshly-squeezed lime juice (about 12 limes, see Notes on Limes*)

lime wedge, to rim glasses

salt, to rim glasses

8 lime slices, for garnish

Combine tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice in a 2 quart pitcher; cover and refrigerate if not ready to serve immediately. To rim glasses: run the lime wedge along the rim and dip into a saucer filled with salt. Fill glasses to the top with ice cubes. Pour margarita mixture into glasses, over ice. Garnish each glass with lime slice.

No-sir-ita!

serves 1

3 ounces freshly-squeezed lime juice

1 ounce agave nectar (or to taste)

club soda or seltzer, well-chilled

lime slice, for garnish

Combine lime juice and agave nectar in the bottom of a collins glass. Fill glass with ice; top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish glass with lime slice.

*Notes on Limes: Juice yield varies by the size of the fruit and depends on how juicy your limes are–Peterson’s always buys extra, in case they’re on the dry side. Lime juice is VERY perishable and loses its zip quickly–do not squeeze juice more than a day ahead (less, if possible), and keep refrigerated!