Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Watermelon Margarita Granita

Well, it's finally Friday again... whew. I promised the recipe for the Watermelon Margarita Granita last week so here it is. These are really easy to make, you just have to plan ahead... or you can break out the blender and make it a frozen margarita. Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Watermelon Margarita Granita

Makes about 6 servings depending on glass size

4 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded ( I used leftovers, about 1/2 a melon)

1 1/2 cups tequila (I used Sauza Blanco)

1-2 teaspoons agave nectar to taste depending on the sweetness of the melon (you can sub Confectioners sugar)

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon orange liqueur ( I used Grand Marnier)

Put the watermelon in a blender to puree. Pass through a strainer to remove any pulp or seeds. (You can just mash it up with a fork if you don't have a blender) Add the rest of the ingredients and  mix well. Pour into a shallow pan and pop it in the freezer.  Once it is frozen, flake with a fork to make ice crystals or you can use an ice cream scoop.

You can freeze the watermelon rind and use it for serving as I did. It helps to keep the ice crystals from melting as quickly. Now, this is a sno-cone treat that will beat the summer heat for sure! Have a great weekend!

Missed last weekend? Try my Limoncello Berry Snow Cones pictured here for another icy indulgence!

Try Martie's New Tequila Recipe, the Pink Pony, for National Tequila Day!

It's National Tequila Day! Who knew? We've been developing new tequila recipes for the past week and thought we'd share one with you in honor of the day!

Martie's Pink Pony Margarita

In a cocktail shaker:

1 1/2 ounces tequila

4 ounces pink grapefruit juice

Splash of cranberry

Squeeze of lime juice

Ice

Shake well. Pour into chilled margarita or martini glass. Rim with salt if you like!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Martie's Pomegranate Margarita and more!

I'm packing the truck to head to Atlanta for the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show this weekend with Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, and Mario Batali... but I could not head out without posting something for one of my favorite reasons to party... Cinco de Mayo! Any reason to drink a margarita and polish of a big basket of chips and salsa works as a holiday for me!

Here are some awesome ideas for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations including my own Pomegranate Margarita recipe; try it, you will LOVE it!

Martie's PAMA Pomegranate Margarita

Just right for 1 large margarita glass/double for 2

2 ounces PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

1 ounce good white tequila (use 100% agave)

Splash Grand Marnier orange liqueur (or sub Triple Sec if you like)

2 ounces fresh lime juice (Don't use the plastic squeeze kind)

1 Tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Splash of club soda

Coarse salt or margarita salt for rimming and a lime or orange wedge for garnish.

Rim glasses with salt--- see below.  Add ice to a cocktail shaker then add ingredients except club soda. Shake well and pour into chilled cocktail or margarita glasses. Float the garnish and the club soda on top. You can also serve this drink over ice.

To add a rim, pour coarse salt onto a small plate. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Invert the glass onto the plate and turn it in the salt to make sure it sticks. 

Need more Cinco de Mayo ideas? Our friends at MyRecipes.com have tons of great recipes for your party!Check out:

Try 8 Festive Mexican Menus including this beautiful and easy Chicken Tostada Meal! 

I found a lot  more ways to toast the holiday with this collection of cocktail recipesfeatured on MyRecipes.com for Cinco de Mayo.... try the Chili Lime Beer! It will become your new favorite way to drink a beer; it's a beer with an extra kick! There is an easy last minute Sangria recipe, too.

If you are looking for a perfect recipe for dinner in a hurry, why not try these Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles? Pronouncing the name is half the fun of serving this delish dish! (chi-la- ke'-lees) It's hearty, simple, and everyone will love it, even the kiddos.

For more great Cinco de Mayo recipes, check out my fish tacos recipe or Alton Brown's guacamole recipe on my blog!