Margaritas or alternative for a crowd

[Anonymous]

I'm throwing a surprise birthday party for DH's 40th and wanted to have pitchers of margaritas, but I haven't made them for a party since before kids and don't remember how we used to do it. I think we used to do small batches, but I'd like to have everything mixed beforehand since I'll be doing all the prep without DH taking on his normal bartender role. Prefer not to use a bottled mix, I remember we used to use frozen limade concentrate but don't recall the ratios.

Or if anyone has ideas for another yummy drink (menu is BBQ, and there will be beer too), I'm open to suggestions. There will be about 20 adults at the party.

[Anonymous]

It has been YEARS, and I'd probably google this to make sure it makes sense, but this is what I remember a friend teaching me:

1 can frozen limeade
1 can lime seltzer
1 can tequila
I think that makes a small pitcher (24-36 oz?), depending on the size of the limeade can.
ice and a splash of Grand Marnier in each glass

[Anonymous]

my favourite drink for a crowd is sangria. I usually make a white and a red and you can make the fruit/booze mix ahead of time and add wine as you need it.

[Anonymous]

Do not put ice in them until they are served. Make up the mixture before hand, I was a bartender for a number of years and so many people add ice or frozen juice, use fresh

[Anonymous]

Just don't do pitchers of cosmopolitans. We had a party once and served them. Everyone got trashed - BAD idea. Apparently it was too strong and too easy to just keep pouring.

[Anonymous]

For the best margaritas use freshly squeezed lime juice, tequila, triple sec, a small amount of agave nectar, ice, and top up with a little splash of soda water.

[Anonymous]

We rented a margarita machine for a summer party one year and it was awesome. The guy brings the machine (looks like a Slurpee mixer), the mix and a cart to put it on, then picks up again after the party.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I did find recipes online using fresh juice, but that's a lot of limes to squeeze! How bad would it be to use bottled? (not Rose's, but real lime juice) I don't know if I had bad limes or what, but it took me 3-4 limes to get a couple of tablespoons for a recipe the other day.

[Anonymous]

Real Lime will still taste great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I did find recipes online using fresh juice, but that's a lot of limes to squeeze! How bad would it be to use bottled? (not Rose's, but real lime juice) I don't know if I had bad limes or what, but it took me 3-4 limes to get a couple of tablespoons for a recipe the other day.

I guess the question is whether your husband deserves real limes for his margarita for his 40th birthday.

I think if you don't love him very much then bottled is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I did find recipes online using fresh juice, but that's a lot of limes to squeeze! How bad would it be to use bottled? (not Rose's, but real lime juice) I don't know if I had bad limes or what, but it took me 3-4 limes to get a couple of tablespoons for a recipe the other day.

I guess the question is whether your husband deserves real limes for his margarita for his 40th birthday.

I think if you don't love him very much then bottled is fine.

And if you loved your husband you'd be rubbing his feet and baking him a cake instead of posting inane drivel on silly message boards.

[Shopmom]

For my husbands 25th birthday I decided to make a champagne punch, much like the sangria someone mentioned before. Using your husbands favorite wine, if he has one is a great touch. This type of drink seemed more personal and all of our guests enjoyed it.
Unless your married to a food critic or wolfgang puck, I seriously doubt your husband will compare your love for him or even notice that you used 100% lime juice from a bottle or spent 30minutes squeezing it fresh. You can always garnish with real limes later. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Use "Simply Limeade" some tequila and Cointreau. The Limeade subs for the lime juice and simple syrup. Has to be "Simply Limeade"--it's the only limeade I've tried that actually tastes like limes. Seriously, you could just add some tequila to it and you'd think you're in Mexico! You'll have to play with the ratios but if you know margaritas, you can finesse it.

Or, try to find "True Lime" packets. Each packet is like a wedge of lime. It's basically like dried lime juice, in a powder-like form-- I put it (or the True Lemon) in my water and it tastes EXACTLY like you squeezed a lime (or lemon) in it. If you can't find it locally, Amazon has them, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the best margaritas use freshly squeezed lime juice, tequila, triple sec, a small amount of agave nectar, ice, and top up with a little splash of soda water.

This recipe sounds almost perfect. The only change I'd suggest is to use Gran Gala in place of triple sec. It is a knock off of Grand Marnier and is a lot cheaper then Grand Marnier but much, much tastier than triple sec. It also has that golden color that is so appealing for a margarita.

I think real limes are important - bottled won't cut it. Or at very least, use some real limes along with the bottled. (and you're right - do not used Roses!)

Since there is no large volume of mixer being added to the booze here, serve it in smallish glasses. Its a sippin' drink.

[Anonymous]

I am 31 weeks pregnant and can't wait to enjoy a cocktail! Until the baby comes, its just a glass of wine or beer for me. But nice to dream of margaritas!