I mentioned in my post this week for my (in)famous Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage and Bacon Cornbread that I was working as a Brand Ambassador for The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. That contact originally came about when I was contacted by a PR firm wanting to know if I wanted to feature maple syrup in a cocktail; I'm wondering now how that got away from me? I happened on the recipe this week and with just a couple of slight revisions managed to get it done this morning, in time to enjoy one this weekend.
The idea of a Maple Margarita may be quite the stretch from my typical margarita efforts which include a variety of fruits alongside a pretty standard base of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice which is one of the many reasons I was intrigued. That is also contains whiskey did nothing but up that intrigue and I was pleased to have some Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey on hand...seems prophetic doesn't it? Who would have ever considered mixing quintessential ingredients from our neighbors both to the north and the south of the US into one cohesive cocktail? But I'll tell you it works and my tasting partners (neighbors) and I loved it. This is not for the first time margarita drinker or the faint of heart, it is most definitely a bold version with the orange liqueur nowhere to be seen as the Canadian Whiskey fills in. The original recipe calls for all of the ice to be mixed with the ingredients to form a frozen version of this margarita...frozen aren't my gig so I opted to serve it over crushed ice and it was perfect.
Something about the maple and bourbon did what was necessary to make this a drink that seems suitable for fall. Grab your rake, head outside and get those leaves done and then come inside, watch the game and grab a Maple Margarita. Or save it for guests as they arrive for your Thanksgiving Feast; either way you won't be disappointed. Cheers!
