Champagne Magaritas? Yes, Please!

It was a week ago today that I was celebrating my birthday. To keep the celebration going, I thought I would share a recipe that I recently discovered that puts a new twist on one of my all time favorite drinks, margaritas. The twist in this recipe is champagne, which I agree seems strange, but it works! Get ready because this recipe will have you hooked after the first drink! So hooked, drinks like these should come with a warning--it's too easy to drink, even for those who aren't big fans of tequila.

The champagne rounds out the strong flavors of the tequila and lime, adding bubbles and a wonderful flavor that will have you reaching for flute after flute.

Champagne Margaritas

(You can double or triple this recipe to make it for a crowd.)

Ingredients:

Finely grated zest (colored part only) from one lime
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup Cointreau
1 cup 100% agave silver tequila
Superfine sugar, if needed for adding sweetness
Half a lime for moistening the glass rims
Coarse (kosher) salt
1 bottle chilled Brut Champagne

Directions:

1. Make the margarita mixture: In a pitcher, combine the lime zest, lime juice, Cointreau, and tequila. Taste the mixture. If you like the flavor (it will be quite tart), leave the mixture as is; if it's too tart for you, stir in a little superfine sugar. Cover and refrigerate until chilled , about 1 hour.

2. Serve: Strain the mixture to remove the zest. Moisten the rims of eight 6-ounce Champagne glasses with the cut side of the lime half. Spread coarse salt on a small plate, then upend the glasses into the salt to crust the rims. Fill each glass halfway with the margarita (it'll take a generous 1/2 cup). Slowly fill the rest of the way with Champagne and hand to one of your lucky guests!

ENJOY!