Whole Fruit Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo

18 Comments | Written on May 2, 2012 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

Margaritas…

These ice cold, fruity concoctions are always the life of the party. Whether on the rocks or blended there’s just something about this beverage that feels like a reason to celebrate.

Now, here is the only problem. Whenever I have tried to make a blended margarita at home, the results have been less than stellar. There are always big chunks of ice, and it seems to get watered down and separated before I even have a chance to say “salud!” That’s when Vitamix steps in to save the day.

This recipe is just another reason I adore this appliance. The power of this incredible machine crushes and blends the ice just like your favorite Mexican restaurant. Plus, you don’t even have to squeeze or juice the citrus. It’s called a “whole fruit” margarita for a reason! All you have to do is peel and seed the fruit and then just toss it in the blender.

This Cinco de Mayo I will be celebrating with one (or two…) of these delicioso drinks. Remember, you all have a reason to celebrate too! Right now I am hosting a blog giveaway and one lucky reader will win this exact machine. Read all about it HERE and enter to win!

Whole Fruit Margaritas (click here to view and print recipe)

1/4 cup water

6 ounces tequila

2 ounces Grand Marnier

1 medium orange, peeled and halved

1 lime, peeled and halved

1 lemon, peeled, halved, and seeded

1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons sugar

6 cups ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

2. Select Variable 1.

3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

4. Blend for 45 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

5. Pour into salt-rimmed margarita glasses.

Per 1 cup serving: 262 calories, 1 g protein, 1 g Fat

By the way, if you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer to serve along side your margaritas this weekend, may I suggest this recipe! This “Avocado Yogurt Sauce” is also prepared quickly and easily in a Vitamix. Here I used it as a dipping sauce for shrimp cocktail. It’s also great with tacos, fajitas, seafood, poultry or as a salsa alternative with chips.

Avocado Yogurt Sauce (click here to view and print recipe)

1 1/2 cups plain low-fat yogurt

2 avocados, peeled, pitted

1 garlic clove, peeled

1 lime, peeled, halved

1 teaspoon salt

1 jalapeno pepper, halved, seeds and membranes removed

1/4 cup cilantro leaves

1. Place all ingredients, except cliantro leaves, into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

2. Set Variable 1.

3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

4. Blend for 30 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

5. Reduce speed to Variable 7. Remove lid plug and add cilantro through the lid plug opening.

6. Blend for 15 seconds.

Yield: 3 cups

Nutrition Information per 2 Tablespoons: 29 Calories, 1 g Protein, 2 g Total Fat, 0 g Saturated Fat, 0 mg Cholestrol, 3 g Carbs, 1 g Fiber, 1 g Sugar, 111 mg Sodium.

*Note: Leaves seeds and membrane in jalapeno for a spicier sauce.