The Chi Chi’s Ruby Red Margarita is a sweet and fruity margarita made with a variety of ingredients that give it the distinctive red color and strawberry flavor. In this article, we will explore the key components that go into making this classic margarita drink.
Tequila
All margaritas start with a base spirit – and for the Ruby Red Margarita this is tequila. Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant native to certain regions of Mexico. Under Mexican law, tequila can only be produced in specific areas including the state of Jalisco and limited municipalities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
There are several types of tequila that can be used in margaritas:
- Blanco or silver tequila – This is unaged tequila that is bottled immediately after the distillation process. It has a sharp, potent flavor.
- Reposado tequila – These tequilas are aged between 2 to 11 months in oak barrels. This mellows the flavor and adds notes of vanilla and caramel.
- Añejo tequila – Aged for 1 to 3 years. The longer aging gives it a smooth, complex taste with flavors like spice, chocolate, and dried fruit.
For a drink like the Ruby Red Margarita that highlights fruity flavors, a good quality blanco tequila is typically used. The crisp, pure agave taste won’t overpower the other ingredients.
Triple Sec
Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that is sweet and lightly citrusy. It is made from distilled spirits and the dried peels of bitter and sweet oranges. Well-known brands of triple sec include Cointreau and Grand Marnier.
In a margarita, triple sec performs two important functions:
- It adds sweetness to balance out the tart citrus juices.
- It brings an orange flavor that complements ingredients like lime and strawberry.
Triple sec adds body and complexity to margaritas. The sugar content in triple sec can vary between brands, but is generally in the 20-40% range.
Lime Juice
Fresh lime juice is a key ingredient in many classic margarita recipes. When mixed with tequila and orange liqueur, the tart lime provides the drink’s characteristic sour quality and refreshing citrus zing.
Limes contain citric acid, vitamin C, and essential oils that enhance the flavor. Some tips for getting the most juice out of fresh limes:
- Roll the lime firmly on a flat surface before juicing to break down some of the pulp.
- Juice limes when they are at room temperature, not directly from the refrigerator.
- Use a citrus reamer or juicer to extract maximum juice.
In a Ruby Red Margarita, lime juice is typically combined with sweet & sour mix rather than being used alone. This allows the drink’s strawberry flavor to take center stage.
Sweet & Sour Mix
Sweet and sour mix provides both sweetness and tartness to cocktails like margaritas and daiquiris. It’s a pre-made mixture of lemon and/or lime juice concentrate along with simple syrup, sugar water, or another sweetener like agave nectar.
The convenience of sweet and sour makes it popular in many bars and restaurants. However, pre-bottled mixes can sometimes have an artificial taste compared to fresh citrus juice. Higher quality establishments will make their own sweet and sour using real juice, sugar, and water.
In the context of a Ruby Red Margarita, sweet and sour mix makes the drink extra fruity. It also balances the tartness from the added lime juice.
Strawberry Puree
Strawberry puree is one of the distinctive ingredients that gives the Ruby Red Margarita its vivid red color and strawberry fruitiness. Purees are made by blending or pressing ripe strawberries into a smooth pulp.
There are a few options for strawberry puree:
- Make your own by blending fresh strawberries with a bit of simple syrup or sugar.
- Purchase commercially made strawberry puree that comes frozen or refrigerated.
- Use strawberry syrup, which has some added sugars.
Making homemade strawberry puree ensures the best fresh fruit flavor. But ready-made purees are more convenient. Look for brands made with real strawberries and minimal added sugars.
The strawberry puree is a key ingredient – a Ruby Red Margarita wouldn’t be complete without it!
Grenadine
Grenadine is a red syrup made from pomegranate juice. It has a tart, crisp flavor along with vibrant red color. In the Ruby Red Margarita, a small amount of grenadine is added for even more red hue and fruitiness.
Grenadine was originally made with pomegranate, but many modern commercial versions replace most of the juice with sugar and artificial flavor. To get true pomegranate taste, look for homemade style grenadine or brands made with real pomegranate juice.
A splash of grenadine gives the Ruby Red Margarita a boost of tangy sweetness and rich red color as the finishing touch.
Garnishes
Finally, garnishes add visual appeal and extra flavor to a margarita. Here are some garnish ideas for a Ruby Red Margarita:
- Lime wedge – Provides a hit of acidity and color contrast
- Strawberry – Doubles down on the fruitiness
- Pomegranate seeds – Echo the grenadine and add crunch
- Sugared rim – Contrasts the tartness with sweetness
The possibilities are endless! Choose a garnish that highlights the prominent strawberry flavor – like a skewered berry or sliced wheels fanning the glass rim.
Proportions
So those are the key ingredients that go into a Ruby Red Margarita – but what are the right proportions to balance the sweet and sour elements? Here’s one way to build this cocktail:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Blanco tequila | 1 1/2 oz |
| Triple sec | 1 oz |
| Lime juice | 1 oz |
| Sweet & sour mix | 1 oz |
| Strawberry puree | 1 oz |
| Grenadine | Dash |
This balances the flavored components – sweet liqueur, sour citrus, strawberry – with a solid base of tequila. The proportions can be adjusted based on personal taste preferences.
Mixing Method
To mix up a Ruby Red Margarita, simply follow these steps:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sweet & sour mix, and strawberry puree.
- Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty.
- Strain into a margarita glass filled with fresh ice.
- Splash the grenadine over the top as a finish.
- Garnish with lime and strawberries.
Shaking with ice ensures the drink is properly chilled and diluted for optimal flavor. Straining into a chilled glass keeps it colder longer.
Variations
The basic Ruby Red Margarita recipe can be tweaked in many ways to put creative spins on the drink. Some ideas for variations include:
- Using other fruits like raspberries, peaches, or mango for different flavor profiles
- Muddling fresh mint or basil leaves for herbaceous notes
- Adding a splash of cranberry juice for extra tartness
- Swapping in prickly pear puree for color and subtle fruitiness
- Using chocolate or coffee liqueurs for richness
- Rimming the glass with tajin or salt for a savory edge
Endless combinations are possible for reinventing this margarita. The core ingredients of tequila, citrus, and fruit can be adapted many ways to create custom versions.
Conclusion
The Ruby Red Margarita is a vibrant, fruit-forward twist on the classic margarita recipe. Its eye-catching color and sweet, berry flavor make it stand out from the crowd. The key components include tequila, orange liqueur, lime, strawberry, and grenadine which balance into a refreshing cocktail. This versatile recipe can be customized with creative rims, garnishes, and ingredient substitutions for your own unique margarita experience.