Margaritas for a Crowd

Adapted from Rick Bayless's Salsas The Cook

1 750ml bottle tequila. Rick would have you use a silver, Herradura, El Tesoro, Patron etc - as long as it is 100% agave. I generally agree because of the fresh agave flavors found in some of these. I prefer the slightly more mellow flavor of Jose Cuervo Tradicional.

1 to 2 cups Contreau, Triple Sec or Gran Gala

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice - plus a bit more for rimming the glasses

Coarse Kosher Salt for rimming the glasses.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a fresh lime slice or wedge. Enjoy!

Before serving combine the tequila, the minimum amount of orange liqueur and the lime juice. Taste for sweetness and balance. Add more liqueur if needed.

Gather your margarita glasses - we use martini glasses. Don't use anything overly large. Pour some lime juice in a dish that is large enough to use to wet the rims of the glasses. Use a similar dish to hold the salt. Dip the glasses in the lime juices and then into the salt.

For each drink, use a ladle to measure about 1/4 cup of the margarita mixture into a cocktail shaker. Add some ice cubes, cover, shake, and strain into the glass.