Description
A fun, flavorful margarita with a homemade Sour Patch Kids infused simple syrup for a sweet and sour kick.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ ounces tequila (blanco or silver)
- 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- ½ ounce Sour Patch Kids infused simple syrup (recipe follows)
- Sour Patch Kids candies, for garnish
- Lime wedge, for rimming the glass
- Coarse sugar, for rimming the glass (optional, but recommended!)
- Ice cubes
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup Sour Patch Kids candies (about 40–50 candies)
Instructions
- Combine Water and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar.
- Heat and Dissolve: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. You should see a clear liquid with no sugar granules at the bottom.
- Add Sour Patch Kids: Once the sugar is dissolved, add the Sour Patch Kids candies to the saucepan.
- Simmer and Infuse: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to help the candies dissolve. The mixture will start to thicken slightly and take on a vibrant color. Be careful not to boil it vigorously, as this can affect the flavor.
- Strain the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool slightly. Then, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean jar or container. This will remove any undissolved candy bits and create a smooth syrup.
- Cool Completely: Allow the syrup to cool completely before using it in your margarita. You can store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The color might fade slightly over time, but the flavor will remain delicious.
- Prepare the Glass: If you want a sugared rim (and I highly recommend it!), start by running a lime wedge around the rim of your margarita glass.
- Rim with Sugar: Pour some coarse sugar onto a small plate. Gently press the rim of the glass into the sugar, rotating it to coat evenly. Set the glass aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and Sour Patch Kids infused simple syrup.
- Add Ice: Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Shake Vigorously: Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This will chill the margarita and properly combine all the ingredients. You should feel the shaker getting nice and cold.
- Strain and Pour: Strain the margarita into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish: Garnish with a few Sour Patch Kids candies and a lime wedge. You can even skewer a few candies onto a cocktail pick for a fun presentation.
- Serve Immediately: Serve your Sour Patch Kids Margarita immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of Sour Patch Kids infused simple syrup.
- For a spicy kick, add a few slices of jalapeño to the cocktail shaker.
- To make a frozen margarita, blend all ingredients with 1-2 cups of ice.
- Experiment with different tequilas (reposado or añejo) for a different flavor profile.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute tequila with sparkling water or club soda.
- Try infusing the simple syrup with other sour candies like Sour Watermelons or Sour Gummy Worms.
- Get creative with garnishes, such as edible glitter or candy skewers.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Cointreau is a high-quality orange liqueur option, while Triple Sec is a more affordable alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes