Let’s ring in the year with “Festive Satsuma Margaritas.” I love margaritas — it is one of my favorite cocktails. This version uses Louisiana satsumas in addition to limes. The beverage is easy to make at home — no special ingredients required — except for the satsumas. But you could substitute oranges, clementines or fresh mandarin oranges. This drink is very easy on the alcohol as the satsuma juice causes a diluting effect. So if you are looking for a fruity but very “light” alcoholic beverage to celebrate the new year; this one is for you. 
Recipe
Bonnie recently brought these satsuma margaritas to one of our weekly music get-togethers. After playing music, we always end with conversation, snacks and a glass of wine. This week Bonnie picked a bucket of satsumas from her backyard tree as we were expecting a freeze. She made the margaritas, shared the recipe and showed how to make the drinks. It was easy and fun!
About Margaritas
A margarita is a mixed drink of Mexican and American origin. Seems like the exact beginnings are unclear, but possibly these drinks date back to the prohibition era when folks traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, to partake in alcoholic beverages. A margarita contains tequila, triple sec (or orange liqueur) and limes. The hallmark of the cocktail is salt which placed around the rim of the glass. A margarita can be served “on the rocks” with ice cubes, or “frozen” with crushed ice, or “straight up” with no ice. Take you pick — I go for the crushed ice version.
According to the International Bartenders Association, the exact proportions of ingredients are: 7 parts tequila, 4 parts triple sec, and 3 parts lime juice. This recipe adds 16 parts satsuma juice. It dilutes the drink — but I’m okay with that.
To make four drinks, you need wide-rimmed margarita glasses, 12 satsumas or oranges, 5 limes, tequila and triple sec or some other orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Mariner. (Bonnie mixed the tequila and triple sec together in the bottle.) To make the salted rims you need kosher salt and sugar. You can also purchase special salt for margaritas at a liquor supply store.
The best part of this mixed drink, in my opinion, is the salted rim of the glass. That’s why a wide-rimmed glass margarita glass makes sense — lots of salt!
Rub the rim of the glass with a lime wedge.
Then dip the rim is a shallow plate containing sugar and kosher salt mixed together. 
Juice the satsumas and four limes (save one lime to coat rims and for a garnish). Mix the liquor in with the satsuma and lime juice. Add ice cubes or crushed ice to each margarita glass Carefully pour in the mixed drink.
That’s it! It is easy to enjoy a couple of these drinks!
Happy New Year. Let’s have safe and positive year in 2020! I have enjoyed writing posts in my blog each week and I hope you have enjoyed reading them and even trying some of the recipes, too!
Since I’m not a bartender, I’ve listed the measurements of volumes in both fluid ounces to cups. Not technically correct; but okay for a kitchen cook!
Festive Satsuma Margaritas
Ingredients:
-
- 12 satsumas (may substitute clementines or small oranges) – to yield 2 cups or 16 fluid oz
- 5 limes, divided – to yield 1/2 cup or 4 fluid oz
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt (or purchased margarita salt)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3/4 cup (6 fluid oz) tequila
- 1/2 cup (4 fluid oz) triple sec (or other orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Mariner)
- ice cubes or crushed ice
Method and Steps:
- Juice the satsumas (clementines, oranges or fresh mandarin oranges) to yield approximately 2 cups juice. Strain to remove seeds. Set aside.
- Cut one lime in wedges for garnish and for rubbing glass rims. Juice the remaining 4 limes, removing seeds, to yield approx 1/2 cup juice. Set aside.
- On small plate, mix together the kosher salt and sugar.
- Rub one lime wedge around each of the margarita glass rims. Dip the glasses in the salt/sugar mixture and set aside.
- To make the cocktails, combine the tequila, triple sec, satsuma juice and lime juice in large pitcher. Stir to combine.
- Carefully add a few ice cubes or crushed ice to each glass.
- Pour into prepared margarita glasses, dividing evenly among glasses.
- Garnish with remaining lime wedges.