DIY "Skinny" Cinco de Mayo Margaritas

Welcome to the weekend..... and better yet welcome to Cinco de Mayo weekend!  The best part is since it falls on Sunday, you have my permission to have a weekend long fiesta!

I am looking to start my weekend out with a cocktail.  One of my favorites is the classic margarita and being from California, I have had my fair share of them.  One of my favorites is the Cadillac Margarita!  One problemo...the Hubs and I are on a strict, no fun, virtually no calorie, feel like I may DIE from hunger fitness plan.  

Apparently, when you turn thirty-ish it all goes downhill and fast.  So no Cadillac's here, but possibly something more along the lines of a Prius Margarita, light and more efficient!  

So ladies, I am in luck as this new "Skinny Girl" craze is in full swing.  Now, you can go to the store and purchase our good friend Bethenny Frankel's super delicious Skinny Girl Margarita, or you can make your own.  The best part of making your own is that you can add more tequila than necessary when no one is looking!  Well without ado here is my absolute fav DIY Skinny "Lady" Margarita (it's even approved by the Hubs, a.k.a The Dictator of Diet…ugh!)

Ingredients:

• Good quality Sea Salt  (optional for the rim)
• 2 oz of high quality Tequila (This is the key to a super smooth cocktail, I prefer Patron Silver or 1800 Silver)
• 1-2 oz of fresh lime juice, plus more wedges for garnish
• 1 oz of fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon light agave nectar 

How to Make your Cocktail:

• Use a small plate that is just bigger than the rim of your glass and pour a layer of salt.  Slice a piece of the lime and rub it around the rim of  your glass.  Dip the glass into the salt and roll it back and forth to get a good rim of salt on the glass.  Now add your desired amount of ice cubes.  **For fun you could also add some chili powder to the salt for a bit of heat.
• I use a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice.  Add your tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar.  Shake for about 45 seconds and then strain into your prepared glass.  Slice another wedge of lime to use for a garnish.
• If you prefer a frozen margarita you can throw all the ingredients into a blender with some ice and blend away.

SALUD!

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 Calorie: 184 Carbohydrates: 12 grams Sugar: 9 grams

You can also add the following to dress up your cocktail or make it a signature cocktail for a party:

• Put sliced jalepenos into the glass before you pour from the shaker.
• Muddle mint or other herb of your liking into the bottom of the glass with a bit more lime juice.

Now to figure out how to get the chips and queso to fit into this plan…shhhhhhh!

Love and Tulips,

Amanda from Irvine, CA