Intro

Oh, I say to you something–never had so many cocktails made me feel so giddy as my first swallow of the Mexican Martini of Chuy. You have heard that when you feel something just right?

That ideal ratio of salty, tangy, smooth, and boozy? Yep, that was me, under a strand of colored light in Chuys, with what sounded like a margarita, all dressed up to go out.

The Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe is such a drink. It is sure, it is citrusy, and it is just chilled right like your good friend who shows up in an outfit every time and every time it is effortlessly fabulous.

It has the spirit of a margarita with an adult twist that makes it feel very sophisticated. After I had figured out the tricks of how to do it at home, I vowed never to order another expensive cocktail.

It is not a typical martini; it is a fiesta, a flirtation, and all-tasting. And today I am going to show you how to take all that same shine of the bar of Chuy into your kitchen.

What Is Chuy’s Mexican Martini?

The Chuy Mexican Martini is simply a case of a traditional margarita going out in a little black dress and visiting a fancy bar. It’s not stirred. It is shaken, and it is served on ice in a martini glass, a salted rim and a few olives curling in the cocktail.

Imagine it is the bastard of a margarita and a martini-with a splash of lime juice, a dash of orange liqueur, and a full shot of good tequila. The olives? They are the salty twist; they add enough saltiness to the playful citrus flavor.

It is cool, bitter, a bit salty, and soft simultaneously. Each drink feels like a dissimilar experience; it begins with a tangy flavor, passes smoothly, and ends with a hint of coziness provided by the tequila.

The narrative of how I discovered this.

I can still recall the evening when I came across this drink. It had happened when a group of girls was over in Austin, where it was too hot to go outside, too much Tex-Mex on the plate, and laughter as free as the chips and the salsa.

Our waiter–who was, evidently, proud of his inside information– leaned over and whispered, You must have the Mexican Martini. It does not feature everywhere on the menu, but it is ours.

The frozen martini glass was fogged with condensation, two olives bobbed out of the gold liquid, when it came–it was a case of love at first sight. I had a single swallow, glanced at my best friend, and replied, We are making this at home.

And now, here we are.

Equipment List

The Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe is simple; however, the appropriate tools will make it seem professional:

Cocktail shaker -You simply need that frothy, icy coolness.
Jigger/shot glass- To measure accurately.
Citrus juicer, Fresh lime juice is the difference.
Fine mesh strainer- This is optional, although it makes pouring smoother.
Martini glass- Traditional serving, ice cold where possible.
Small plate- To salt the glass around its edge.

Ingredients For Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe

The following ingredients will make you one bold, fresh glass of Chuy’s Mexican Martini:

2 oz silver tequila (Use a good one -I mean it counts)
1 oz Cointreau, or orange liquor (such as Triple Sec or Grand Marnier)
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz fresh orange juice (not compulsory, but gives a beautiful balance)
1/2 oz olive brine (this is with a jar–this makes the martini twist)
Garnish of green olives.
Coarse salt for the rim
Ice cubes for shaking

Optional add-ins:

Splash of plain sugar in case you want it sweeter.
To be sophisticated, a pour of orange bitters.

Instructions For Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe

This is the way that I take the magic of Chuy to my own kitchen:

1. Prep your glass.

Wipe the rim of your martini glass with a piece of lime, and pour into coarse salt. Put it in the refrigerator as you shake up the drink to add that fresh ice.

2. Mix the magic.

Combine tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, orange juice, and olive brine in a cocktail shaker. Toss in a handful of ice cubes.

3. Shake it up!

Shake vigorously- approximately 20 seconds- as though you were dancing to mariachi in your kitchen. You would like it very, very cold and a little frothy.

4. Pour and serve.

Rock the cocktail and pour it into your iced martini. Add olives 2-3 (and one to snack).

5. Sip and smile.

You will be taken to the sunlit patio of a place somewhere in Texas with the first sp.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

The Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe has this magical property of touching on all the cravings that include sweet, sour, salty, and smooth.

It is revitalizing – it fits well in hot evenings or brunches on the weekend.
It is high-end but not high-stress, no big ingredients, only good taste.
It is customizable – make it your own (sprinkle it with jalape slices to make it hot!).

It is nostalgic, as one-time visitors of Chuy can say, a single sip will bring them back to the time they had a visit to this shop.

Flavor Notes and Pairings

What is more enjoyable about this beverage is that it is layered. You get the fresh lime right at the beginning, then the orange brightness, and then a savory rustling of the olive brine. This is warmed by tequila, with a salted rim just bringing it all together.

It pairs beautifully with:

Chips and queso
Shrimp tacos
Chicken enchiladas
Or even a bowl of hot guacamole.

For dessert? Oh, do not judge me–I like this with a slice of key lime pie or anything caramelized and creamy.

Variations to Try

When you nail the Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe, you can play around with it:

Spicy Mexican Martini: Slice 2 jalapenos and put them in the shaker.

Coconut Twist: Coconut tequila and rim with a mixture of sugar and coconut.

Organic Fresh: Add some torn basil leaves or cilantro sprigs to the mix to add a fresh scent.

Smoky Edge: Use mezcal in place of tequila- it gives the flavor of a campfire.

Tips from My Kitchen

Always use fresh lime juice. You can not get the same hit as bottled lime juice.
Chill everything. Cold shaker, cold glass, cold ingredients, it’s the key to the bar quality chill.
Adjust the brine. In case you are not a savory person, cut the olive brine down to 1/4 oz.
Double up! The recipe can be easily made with two, since, at least, one martini can never be enough.

Serving Ideas

Serve your Mexican Martini in style:
On a marble shelf, a slice of bright citrus and a handful of olives.
In a fancy martini glass with a salt rim of chili to add some color.
With a plate of mini tacos or empanadas, the restaurant is worthy of such treatment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Excessive ice: Too much ice will over-dilute the beverage. Vigorously shake and pour.

Leaving out the salt rim: It is an important part of the flavor, not decor.

Poor quality tequila: This is a straightforward drink, and all ingredients stand out in it, hence no shortcuts.

Leaving out the straining: You will have floating ice-cubes (cute theory, messy practice).

My Final Thoughts

When I prepare this Chuy’s Mexican Martini Recipe, I am discharging a cheerful recollection in the bottle. It is not only a cocktail, it is an experience, a mood, a chance to have a little holiday in a glass.

It can be date-night, girls-night, or a me-night, but this beverage never fails to kick me the same level of joy that initially amazed me a few years back.

And shake up your drink, ice that glass, and celebrate the wizardry of combining Texas taste with cocktail hour style.