Margaritas, pitcher format

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...let's call this pitcher 16 servings...and pretend we're that sort of person.

First step - have your ingredients organized. Mise en place is important, even in cocktail creations:

• 3 cups tequila, silver or reposed (I used silver, mostly because I was trying to use up the bottle, I don't play favorites)
• 2 cups orange liqueur (Cointreau, or any citrus flavored liqueur will do...I've been known to use a ginger liqueur at times)
• 1.5 cups freshly-squeezed lime juice (this takes some serious limes!  The past few years of the CA drought have caused some not so juicy limes.   I juiced about 8-10 limes for this pitcher)
• Ice (for the pitcher; for the glasses too, if you like)
• Optional - simple syrup (if you like your margarita sweeter, keep in mind there are no sweet ingredients other than simple syrup and depending on how tart your limes are, this could be an instant-pucker drink)
• Optional - lime wedges for garnish 

Directions:

• Juice your limes!   This is the time consuming part of this recipe and can be messy (just look at those pictures below)
• Fill your pitcher with ice.  In my case I wanted to just add a little ice (I like my drinks to not be too watered down) so added enough ice to come up around 2 inches up from the bottom of my pitcher, or a single layer. 
• Add all drink ingredients to the pitcher and stir.  If you are using simple syrup, I suggest adding all the other ingredients to the pitcher first, stir, taste and adjust as needed.   
• An alternate way to serve these would be to not add ice to the pitcher and instead stir all ingredients together, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 4 oz of liquid and shake vigorously until cold (15 shakes should do it).     This does allow for a personal amount of simple syrup...but can cause more angst within a group that has to wait for their drinks to be made individually.  
• If you like a salted rim on your glass, use a lime wedge to run around the rim of your glass, then dip the rim in a large crystal salt (if you don't have tequila salt, a large crystal kosher or sea salt will do).  
• Pour drinks into glass, and enjoy!
• Monitor intake to try to accomplish 16 servings per pitcher. 

Mise en place includes glassware

Getting limes ready for juicing

Getting there!

One lime left after all that juicing

My pitcher, with ice just at the bottom

Stir, stir, stir

Using the lime to wet the edge before applying salt

I use a plate for the salt

I like just a taste of salt. If you would like more, add more lime around the rim and tip the plate to adhere more salt.

Serve!

Check those serving sizes!