Take your taste buds on an exotic journey with a Tamarind Ginger Margarita, made with a salted ginger-sugar rim.

This post was first written on May 26, 2017 and last updated on May 2, 2019.

Alright, I need to make things quick, because I’m trying to get this blog post up before my foster kittens wake up and I have to feed them again….did I mention that I have three foster kittens?

I have no recollection of these things because they keep me super busy (as if I’m not busy enough already).  Yes, I am insane, and I think I have some form of foster kitten mom/baby brain happening because I haven’t felt this scattered in awhile…

Why you’ll love this Tamarind Ginger Margarita

Anyway! I need to tell you about the incredible Tamarind Ginger Margarita I had on my honeymoon in Costa Rica earlier this month. Actually it may have been two…three. I WAS ON VACATION OK NO JUDGEMENT.

I know. It’s brown, which is like the least appetizing color in the history of food. But take my word for it, this Tamarind Ginger Margarita is pure vacation in a glass.

We had them at a restaurant called Habañero which sits directly on the beach in Santa Teresa and is known for it’s killer margaritas, according to the waiter at our hotel, Kaylor (like Taylor but with a K). I’m talking toes in the sand, waves crashing, sun shining, cocktail sipping BLISS. So there’s no way I wasn’t going to recreate these for you when I got back.

How to make a Tamarind Ginger Margarita

This Tamarind Ginger Margarita is everything. It’s made with fresh lime juice and an agave-ginger simple syrup because I don’t do gross, fake sweet and sour in my margaritas, ever.

Tamarind paste gives it the color and exotic flavor. I buy my tamarind paste in the Asian section at Whole Foods and the brand is called Neera’s. It has a similar color and consistency to molasses. You can also find tamarind pulp candy at your local Mexican market for a couple of bucks, which will work just as well! If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can make tamarind paste from scratch from dried tamarind pods, but the jarred tamarind paste is my favorite because I always have some on hand and it makes this cocktail preparation super fast and easy.

And then- because you know how I like to elevate things, even cocktails– I made a salted ginger sugar for the rim. It’s a little bit of salt, a little bit of sugar, and some freshly grated ginger mixed in for a little kick.

Do yourself a favor and make a batch ASAP! The recipe makes two so you can share with your favorite person. Even if that favorite person is you, they’re so good you deserve two.

Thanks for reading! To keep up with my kitchen escapades, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you make this Tamarind Ginger Margarita, share it with the hashtag #LePetitEats!

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Tamarind Ginger Margarita

Take your taste buds on an exotic journey with a Tamarind Ginger Margarita, made with a salted ginger-sugar rim.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword margarita recipe, tamarind cocktail recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 2

Calories 240 kcal

Author Denisse

Ingredients

FOR THE SALTED GINGER SUGAR:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon sea salt

FOR THE GINGER SYRUP:

• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
• 1/4 cup agave syrup
• 1 1-inch piece ginger peeled and thinly sliced

FOR THE MARGARITA:

• 4 ounces tequila
• 2 ounces Cointreau
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1-2 tablespoons ginger syrup
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 2 cups ice cubes
• Lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt and grated ginger. Mixture will be moist, so spread into a thin layer on a plate or baking sheet and leave out to dry for about 1 hour or overnight.
2. Place agave syrup and sliced ginger into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Discard ginger.
3. Run a lime wedge around glasses. Dip each glass into salted ginger sugar and set aside. Add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, ginger syrup, tamarind paste and ice to a blender. Blend until slushy. Add more ice if necessary. Pour immediately into glasses. Garnish with lime wedges.