Low Carb Margarita

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I mentioned in my post about sugar that one of the things I miss most during low carb is a happy hour margarita.  Restaurant margaritas are always a bad choice because the mix is loaded with sugar.  If you're in a really high end place they might make the margarita mix in house with fresh limes, but even then they are probably adding simple syrup with is mostly (you guessed it) sugar.  I like to make margaritas at home, especially on a sunny afternoon.  I am sharing my secret recipe with you all.

Ingredients
1 packet Crystal Light Margarita Mix
4 limes
1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

Directions

1. Add 2 quarts of cold water to a large pitcher.  
2. Add one packet of Crystal Light Margarita Mix to water and stir with a wooden spoon.  
3. Cut limes into wedges and squeeze the juice into the pitcher.  Stir again with wooden spoon.  
4. Fill a 16 ounce pint glass to the top with ice cubes.  
5. Pour tequila and Grand Marnier directly over ice into glass.  
6. Fill remaining space in glass with Margarita Mix.  
7. Pour entire contents of glass into another glass to mix.  
8. While glass is empty, dip rim into margarita salt.  
9. Pour contents back into original glass and serve with a straw and a lime wedge.  

Best enjoyed in the sunshine with friends!

Notes

• Most household pitchers are two quarts.  I generally don't measure my water as this is not an exact science, but if you want to feel free.  2 quarts = 8 Cups.  
• Crystal Light Margarita Mix is one of my favorite low carb tricks.  The mix also comes in Mojito and Appletini flavors, although I have not tried those.  I'm suppose I'm a traditionalist.  
• Salt or no salt?  I prefer salt, and if you do too I recommend picking up a small tub of margarita salt.  It's flat and wide so that you can stick your glass right into it instead of having to pull out a plate to dump some table salt on every time.
• My favorite tequila is called Herradura and you'll recognize it because there is a horseshoe on the bottle.  If I'm strapped for cash I buy Jose Cuervo Silver, which is also good.  
• The half ounce of Grand Marnier will have about 3 carbs, so if you're close to your limit you can always leave it out to cut back. 

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You should be able to find this at your local grocery
store with the other powdered drink mixes.  

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The juice of one medium sized
lime has about 1 carb.

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That's the good stuff.  

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