Happy Cinco De Mayo!

May 5th is a day to honor and celebrate Mexican tradition and culture. And what better way to celebrate than with food, and libations? My Cinco de Mayo drink of choice? The margarita of course!  But not the manufactured, neon concoctions you see lining the isles of your local grocery store, no sir. Call me a purist, I’ll take my margarita made with fresh, natural, make your lips pucker ingredients.

Here is one of the smoothest, most enjoyable margarita recipes that I’ve come across, which in my book pretty much epitomizes margarita greatness.

The Purist Margarita

Adapted from a recipe (Top Shelf Margarita Grande) by Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients:

Coarse kosher salt
Lime slice or wedge
2 ounces tequila, Cuervo Gold or Patron is my recommendation
1-ounce Grand Marnier or Cointreau
1 1/2 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
ice cubes

Directions:

• Place the salt in a small shallow bowl or rimmed saucer
  
• Run the lime slice around the rim of a stemmed, wide mouthed glass to moisten it, then turn the glass upside down and press the rim in the salt mixture. Set glass aside.
  
• In a cocktail shaker combine all remaining ingredients and shake well to chill. Strain into the prepared glass and serve immediately.
  

P.S. Please, please, please resist any temptation you may have to put this drink in the blender. On the rocks, shaken, not stirred, is how this drink shines.

Wet Your Whistle

This weekend I had the opportunity to try BranchWater, a bottled water tapped at  Minnehaha Springs in Pocahontas County, and I was really quite impressed.

At first, I have to admit,  I didn't quite get the hip flask design but when I saw my husband slip it into his back pocket while walking across the field to our son's soccer game, I had a big "aha" moment. It makes so much sense, and honestly, I was surprised one of the giant bottled water producers hadn't already thought of it. The bottle design alone is uncanny. It's sleek and compact and fits in a back or side pocket with ease. It seems great for a whole host of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, walking and even soccer games. Apparently I am not the only person who feels this way, the BranchWater folks just won a gold medal at the Berkley Springs International Water Competition for package design.

Package design is one thing, but how does it taste? Well, I don't hold a Ph.D. in water tasting (not even an undergrad) but I must say, as an everyday water drinking kind of gal, I thought it had a very crisp, refreshing and satisfying quality. Actually, I enjoyed it so much that I'm considering getting a water cooler for my kitchen so I can utilize their 5-gallon delivery service. I'm not suggesting you do the same, but if you are a bottled water drinker, you really must give BranchWater a try, you can order it online or find it at Hilton Garden Inn in Clarksburg, Adventures Edge in Morgantown, Tuscan Sun Spa in Snowshoe, and at the BranchWater location in Fairmont.