Recipe Rursday: The original margarita, with friends.

Danielle & Tiffany, 2/13/10.

My dear friend Danielle came to visit last weekend. It was so nice to catch up with her and to meet her friend Tiffany. Pedicures and estrogen and fresh spring rolls. It would've been a Julia Roberts movie, if it weren't for the margaritas & karaoke. The ladies experimented with their own version (an actual improvement on the recipe below)...with blood oranges.

The Original Margarita (recipe by Alton Brown)

• 2 ounces 100 percent agave silver/blanco tequila, divided
• 1 T kosher salt
• 4 limes, divided
• 1/2 small Hamlin or Valencia orange
• 2 tablespoons light agave nectar
• 3/4 cup ice cubes, about 3 to 4

Pour 1/2-ounce of the tequila into a small saucer. Spread the kosher salt in a separate small saucer. Dip the rim of a martini or other wide rimmed glass into the tequila. Lift out of the tequila and hold upside down for 10 seconds to allow for slight evaporation. Next, dip the glass into the salt to coat the rim. Set aside.

Halve 2 of the limes, cut a thin slice for garnish from 1, and set aside. Juice the halved limes into the bottom of a Boston-style cocktail shaker. Cut the remaining 2 limes and the orange into quarters and add them to the juice in the shaker. Add the agave nectar to and muddle for 2 minutes until the juices are release. Strain the juice mixture through a cocktail strainer into the top of the shaker and discard the solids.

Return the juice to the bottom of the shaker, add the remaining 1 1/2 ounces of tequila and any remaining on the saucer. Add the ice to the shaker, cover and shake for 30 seconds. Strain the mixture through a cocktail strainer into the prepared glass, garnish with reserved lime slice, and serve immediately. --Alton Brown

** For more recipes, check out the RedPepperFlakes Recipe Archives.