Sweet And Salty Margarita Cookies Recipe

Momma Told Me: One tequila, two tequila, floor.

I'm not a drinker. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I'm the designated driver at any function, entirely by choice. I have nothing, personally, against spirits- I'll have a glass of wine with dinner maybe every other month and I will sip on a drink at a party or event to be social. I'm not a snob- I was just raised with an appreciation of what it means to be the 'sober one' among a crowd of friends and family partaking in libations. It's hilarious. Especially in my family.

You see, my mom's family has always had some group at odds with the other- and the best way to mediate large family functions was with the lubrication of fine liquors- especially margaritas. Tequila runs deep in my family, my 92 year old granny drinks a hearty 'hair on your chest' margarita every day. She'll drink the men in our family under the table. At 7 or 8 I began asking my mother for 'margaritas' during these social occasions and she'd pour me a glass of sweet and sour over ice with a salted rim and a lime wedge. I loved it so much, without the tequila, that I began ordering my 'margaritas' this way when I turned 21. Entirely alcohol free. Sadly, when you're at a bar this doesn't change the cost much, but it was a way for me to feel social while enjoying a comforting drink without the impact of tequila.

So, you're probably wondering, have I EVER had a real margarita. Well, the answer is yes. In my family I don't think you can be of legal drinking age and have not. In fact, the second, and last, hangover I've ever had was celebrating my 21st birthday a year belated with my mother and step dad in my childhood best friend's home. His family was out for the weekend and my mother (who was best friends with his mother) was crashing there while in town.

I am pretty sure the 'margarita' I drank was straight tequila with a few slices of lime.  By the time I realized it was time to put down the glass my step father had so kindly made for me, my mother was trying to explain the finer arts of pole dancing (which to my knowledge she has never done in her live) while a Michael Bolton DVD played in the background. What followed the next morning was as equally scarring and enough of a hangover to convince me that I should NEVER drink more than I felt comfortable with again. 9 years later I still enjoy my 'Virgin' Margarita at every family gathering, much to puzzled looks from my relatives. "Are you sure you don't want the tequila????"

So, as we celebrate National Margarita Day this February 22nd it may seem odd that I would choose to celebrate a day dedicated to a festive libation. But the truth is the essence of margaritas bring back some amazingly fond memories of wonderful family gatherings. Great food, laughter gathered around the fire pit at night, whispered bets on how many more margaritas granny will drink before she casually wanders into the spare room for a nap. And then there are those nights sitting on the couch with my mother licking the salt off a Pocahontas cup sipping my sweet and sour mix over ice.  This drink holds so many warm feelings for me (and it's clearly not in the tequila) that I feel it deserves celebrating. So today I'm sharing a cookie recipe that captures those warm feelings and those beloved flavors.

These Margarita Cookies are made shortbread style, but the dough is considerably more forgiving than traditional shortbread. When you roll this dough it should be soft and pliable but not sticky to touch. You don't need to freeze it, or over chill it- they will cook well without 'melting' or crumbling (when cutting) after just a few hours in the fridge. The secret, though, is in the coarse sugar and salt rub that bakes into the sides to add an extra textural element and surprise burst of flavor when eating.

I want to note here there is NO alcohol in the cookies themselves. This recipe can be made entirely with no tequila- Which is great because I feel margaritas should be enjoyed by everyone, even those who don't drink! The tequila is actually suggested to be used in the sugar drizzle/glaze, but can be just as well omitted. People always seem to get this big kick out of recipes with liquor in them, so I like to make a 50/50 batch, half with tequila and half without. These cookies are certainly sweet, salty, soft, and crunchy- more than enough to shine on their own! Now, tell me, are you a margarita fan? Do you like to order 'virgin' drinks like me?

What Daughter Says: Margaritas are a mentality, not a drink!

Sweet and Salty Margarita Cookies

***Click here for printable Margarita Cookies recipe

Ingredients:

2 C Flour

1/4 TSP Finely Ground Salt

1 1/2 Sticks Salted Butter, Softened

1 C Granulated Sugar

1 Large Egg

1 TBS Finely Grated Lime Peel

1 TSP Orange Extract

5-6 Drops Lime Green Food Color (Optional)

1/2 C Turbinado Sugar

1/2 TSP Pink Himalayan Salt (Or Other Coarse Salt)

1 1/4 C Powdered Sugar

1 TBS Water

1 TBS Tequila OR 1 TBS Fresh Squeeze Lime Juice

Directions:

1. Combine flour and 1/4 TSP Salt in medium bowl and set aside. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, lime peel, orange extract and food coloring (if desired.) Mix well. Slowly introduce and beat in flour on low speed until all is incorporated.

2. Divide dough in half and roll each portion into logs approximately 9" long and 1 1/2" wide. Wrap in wax paper and set in a baking dish in a bed of rice (to maintain round shape.) Refrigerate 2 hours or until fairly firm.

3. Preheat oven to 350F. Remove dough from fridge and roll each log in Turbinado Sugar and Himalayan Salt mixture. Cut dough into 1/4" thick slices and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until outer edges begin to brown.

4. Remove from oven and place directly on cooling racks to avoid over-baking. Combine glaze ingredients (tequila may be substituted for lime juice) in a small bowl until even and smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies and sprinkle a pinch of sugar/salt as desired. Glaze will set quickly. Serve and enjoy!