The Easy Agave Swap You Should Try for Your Next Margarita

A standard margarita recipe includes lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur and sometimes a sweetener like agave syrup. Shake the drink well with ice and pour it into a salt-rimmed glass, and you have the ultimate party drink that many of us love. However, there’s a way to give your next margarita a non-traditional twist, according to advice from Noemi Quatraro, head bartender at Amal Miami. Everyone could use some expert tips for making margaritas like a pro, and Quatraro told Food Republic that honey is a great complementary swap for agave syrup.

All you have to do is substitute agave or simple syrup in your margarita recipe at a 1:1 ratio. For example, if a drink calls for ½ ounce of agave, simply leave it out and add ½ ounce of honey. In addition to a margin, Quatraro believes that “any tequila-based drink would pair well with honey, because these liquors are agave-based, they have many tasting notes in common.” According to the expert, honey offers a “deeper flavor profile” than other sweeteners.

The agave plants used to make tequila can create fruity, floral, or earthy flavors in the mind — and while we all know honey is sweet, it also offers similar floral notes and a caramel flavor. Specifically, it brings out the rich taste of reposado tequilas for a great contrast with the citrus.

Read more: How to Make 30 Classic Cocktails: An Illustrated Guide

More Delicious Margarita Recipes with Honey

Since Noemi Quatraro suggests using honey in any tequila recipe, think beyond the classic margarita. You can use the amber-colored sweetener in a savory twist, like a hot peach and honey margarita. Imagine the flavors of juicy, succulent fruit added to a spicy margarita recipe, with the floral notes of honeysuckle, tangy lime and spices creating a well-balanced cocktail. Other ideas include a margin of watermelon honey for a summery, refreshing take, where the honey imparts a rich sweetness to the melon.

For a cold-weather take, create an apple cider margarita with honey instead of simple syrup. This way, the caramel notes of the honey and the aged tequila complement each other. If honey apple slices are great at snack time, trust me, the combo is amazing at happy hour too.

If tequila isn’t your liquor of choice, Quatraro says you can also use honey in an old-fashioned cocktail. She says to “add just a drop” (or up to a teaspoon) of honey to the bourbon and orange bitters for an aromatic take on the classic. You can even pair a honey bourbon with the sweetener to enhance the luscious taste.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.