Honeydew Ginger Frozen Margarita

Back in my younger dive bar-going days, I pretty much exclusively ordered gin and tonics. But after a bad g&t experience in New York City (ugh let’s not talk about it), I had to walk away from gin completely and turned, instead, to the vodka soda. Which is where my loyalty mostly remains today if I’m in a sketchy-type bar. You know the type… the kind where all the bottles on the bar look slightly dusty and when you ask for the cocktail menu, the bartender just glares at you like you’re from another planet. Back in the day, those are pretty much the only bars we frequented. And while I was sipping on gin and tonics, a lot of my friends drinking Midori sours, which I thought looked SO cool. They were neon green concoctions that looked eerily similar to the Ecto Cooler of my youth that I was rarely permitted to drink. But… whenever I tried them, I realized that the Midori sour drinks you order at dive bars were not for me. I didn’t love the overly sweet taste of sour mix and knew that just one would result in a pretty much automatic headache.

But I’m not going to lie; I’m still ridiculously attracted to brightly colored foods and beverages, though I try my best not to use food dyes for non baked goods. So, I was pretty psyched when I blended this frozen margarita together and it slightly resembled a Midori sour, but with a whole lot less sugar and artificial coloring. Honeydew melon for the win! As you can imagine, I’m not a big fan of green beer and don’t really think green smoothies made with kale and/or spinach are super appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day celebrating. But this honeydew ginger frozen margarita? It’s perfect.

It’s always a gamble as to what the weather will look like each year on St. Patrick’s Day. This year in New England, it seems we’re expecting cold and snowy (lovely!), but some years it’s sunny and warm. While you probably don’t want to be sipping on a frozen margarita while you’re standing outside in 30 degree weather at a parade, I’m considering it a perfectly acceptable March drink for being indoors.

Not only is it super easy to make (make the simple syrup in advance and then just put all the ingredients in a blender), but it’s just as easy to make for one as it is for a crowd. Also, you will have some ginger simple syrup leftover (especially if you’re me and you make a double batch!) and I highly recommend adding it to soda water throughout your week. Or you could just continue drinking frozen margaritas throughout your week. Because why not?

I’m personally not a big St. Patrick’s Day celebrator as standing outside in potentially cold weather with a bunch of drunk people is so not my thing (wow, I’m making myself sound fun today, huh?), but I’m totally game for some green drinks and adding a little green to my outfit.

Can I tell you a secret? I made this cocktail for fun the other day and completely forget St. Patrick’s Day was coming up. It wasn’t until I was sipping away in Margaritaville that I realized how perfect this was. Green foods are pretty easy (and mostly healthy!), but now I think you just found your St. Patrick’s Day cocktail option. Did you even know you were looking for one?? Of course, if you’re not feeling a margarita in March, don’t forget this Lucky Charms Martini I made a few years ago. Talk about bright green!

Another secret is that Chris and I each had one of these drinks and I put the remainder in the fridge. It’s just waiting for me to add a dash more tequila or two and re-blend it with some ice. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to us.

How to you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

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Honeydew Ginger Frozen Margarita

This bright green frozen margarita gets its color solely from honeydew melon and its flavor from the honeydew and homemade ginger simple syrup. Blended together with crushed ice, it's an icy cocktail that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any time of the year.

Course: Drinks

Servings: 4 cocktails

Author: We are not Martha

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped honeydew
• 3 cups crushed ice
• 6 oz. tequila
• 4 oz. Ginger Simple Syrup recipe below
• Sliced lime for garnish

Ginger Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh ginger

Instructions

1. Combine chopped honeydew, crushed ice, tequila, and ginger simple syrup in a blender and blend until smooth and icy.
2. Pour into salt-rimmed glasses or a pitcher and garnish with sliced limes.

Ginger Simple Syrup:

1. Bring water, sugar, and chopped ginger to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Once boiling, lower heat and let mixture simmer for about 10-12 minutes, until syrup thickens.
3. Pour syrup into a heat-proof bowl or mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using.
4. Leave ginger in syrup for a more full-bodied flavor or remove to keep ginger flavor lighter.