National Margarita Day: Three Unique Recipes for a Perfect Margarita Party – NewsFeed – TIME.com

NewsFeed isn’t exactly sure why National Margarita Day falls on a Tuesday. But we’re not stopping you from partaking, either in or out of the office.

We’re also not sure why the drink needs an official holiday in the middle of February. But we’re not the creators of the holiday, so we’ll just have to sip our frozen margs and think of the beach. Want to throw your own National Margarita Day party? Or just be that difficult person at the bar who orders a complicated margarita tonight? We’ve got you covered with unique margarita recipes from our sister publications.

Cucumber and Chili Margarita (Real Simple)
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces tequila
1 1/2 ounces Cointreau
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
8 thin slices of cucumber
cayenne pepper
1 lime wedge
kosher salt
ice

Directions
In a shaker, mix together the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, cucumber, and cayenne pepper. Shake or stir.
Rub the rim of a glass with a lime wedge, then dip the edge in a dish of kosher salt. Fill the glass with ice and top with the mixed margarita.

Mocha Margarita (MyRecipes)
Ingredients
1 cup chocolate ice cream, softened
1/3 cup prepared espresso
1/4 cup blanco (white) tequila (such as Sauza Blanco)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice,  and shake until well chilled and ice cream is smooth and pourable.  Serve in a chilled martini or margarita glass.

Jalepeño Margaritas (Food + Wine)
Ingredients
1 jalapeño, poked with a knife
1 1/3 cups tequila
1 cup orange liqueur
1 cup fresh lime juice (10 limes)
3 tablespoons superfine sugar
Kosher salt and ice

Directions
In a jar, steep the jalapeño and tequila; keep at room temperature for 3 days.
Strain the tequila into a large pitcher and discard the jalapeño. Stir in the orange liqueur, lime juice and sugar.
Pour the salt and a small amount of the margarita onto 2 rimmed plates.  Dip the rims of 6 glasses into the margarita, then into the salt. Fill  each glass with ice, pour in the margarita and serve.