Frozen Lime Margaritas with a Sangria Swirl

This lime margarita with a swirl of sangria is just about the most refreshing summer cocktail I’ve ever had! The addition of Casa Noble tequila takes it to the next level of margarita heaven! #NationalTequilaDay #TequilaDay

Last week I was on vacation in Victoria, British Columbia.  My in-laws own a lake house just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. It’s one of the most relaxing places on Earth. I literally wake up in the morning and have only a few concerns – how much time I should spend on the dock, lying on a lounge chair, soaking up the sun, staring at the water and enjoying my favorite summer novel. Sometimes I throw a hike and dinner prep into the mix.

Additionally, I was so excited when Emily Giffin came out with a new novel just in time for my vacay – “The One and Only”. Needless to say this novel is the perfect light read like her other books “Something Borrowed, Something Blue” and “Love the One Your With”. At one point in the book, the main character Shea visits one of her favorite restaurants in Texas and orders a frosty margarita laced with fruity sangria! What?!  Does that not sound so amazing? I could just envision the ruby sangria swirling it’s way through the tart lime cocktail. Why had I never heard of this divine cocktail before?

Therefore when Casa Noble asked me to create a margarita for their #tequiladay challenge, I knew exactly what I was making. I also knew that this margarita would be extra special with the addition of Casa Noble Reposado tequila and it’s beautiful notes of citrus, butter, vanilla and chocolate. It’s oaky tones are derived from aging in lightly charred French White Oak and gently round out this exceptional liquor.

I used a beautiful store bought sangria from Whole Foods and a basic margarita recipe. I think the pictures speak for themselves – frosty, fruity, tart with a boozy finish. Summer and margaritas is truly the perfect pair.

Frozen Lime Margaritas with a Sangria Swirl

Recipe by Liz Hughes - Virtually Homemade

Prep time: 15 minutes plus freezing time
Yield: 2 cocktails
Ingredients

• 1 cup store bought sangria
• 1 teaspoon agave
• 6 ounces (1/2 can) lime concentrate
• 2 ounces Casa Noble Reposado tequila
• 1 ounce Grand Marnier liquer
• 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
• sliced limes and oranges for garnish

Cooking Directions

1. Place two glasses in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove the glasses and dip the rims in sugar. Return to the freezer until your ready to use them.
2. Freeze your sangria in small cups or ice cube trays until completely frozen.
3. When the sangria is frozen, place in a blender with the agave and blend until slushy. Return the frozen sangria to the freezer.
4. Combine the lime concentrate, tequila, Grand Marnier and ice in a blender until it is thoroughly mixed.
5. Pour half of the margarita into each glass. Top with sangria, then another layer of margarita and then another thin layer of sangria. Stir lightly with a straw to swirl the sangria. Serve with lime and orange wedges.

More summer cocktails from some of my favorite food bloggers and Food Network:

Feed Me Phoebe: Grilled Strawberry-Mint Bellinis
The Lemon Bowl: Raspberry-Ginger Bellini
Jeanette's Healthy Living: White Peach Sangria
The Heritage Cook: Refreshing Lime Coolers
The Cultural Dish: Pimm's Cup
Virtually Homemade: Frozen Lime Margaritas with a Sangria Swirl 
Weelicious: Strawberry Lemonade 
Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Strawberry Gimlets with Homemade Strawberry Vodka
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Cucumber and Sage Cocktail
Red or Green: Frozen Tri-Melon Cocktail
Dishing With Divya: Caipirinha
In Jennie's Kitchen: Cantaloupe Lillet Sparkler
Poet in the Pantry: Pirate's Booty Call
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Watermelon Malibu Surf
Sweet Life Bake: Boozy Affogato
Devour: 5 Boozy Summer Coolers
Domesticate Me: Blueberry Mojito Royale
Haute Apple Pie: Classic Mojito
Daily*Dishin: Blackberry Rum Shrub
Taste With The Eyes: Korean Soju Kimbap Bloody Mary
FN Dish: Sip Your Way Through Summer (Recipes)