Keeping the celebracíon going all month long, Manny and I thought we would share the Casa M Pitcher Margarita recipe with you. We love this because it's so refreshing and drinkable and, unlike many versions of this cocktail classic, it's not cloyingly sweet. We use a concoction called fresh lemon-agave sour instead of simple syrup to add just a little bit of sweetness to this pitcher of goodness, and as a very favorable benefit, the agave nectar has a naturally low glycemic index. Note that this recipe calls for Grand Marnier and that is not interchangeable with Cointreau or any other type of triple sec. If you go with a traditional triple sec, mix in some Presidente Brandy with it to a total amount that equals the Grand Marnier.

Believe it or not, it's harder than you would imagine to adapt a single-serve cocktail recipe you like to something that translates well into a pitcher form. Conventional wisdom would hold that you double, triple, or quadruple the original recipe and you're good to go, but like many things in life, a crucial element of making great bar drinks comes with a little science lesson. It's the reason some bar drinks call for stirring and some for shaking and some call for ice in the final glass and others don't. At the end of the day, making a good cocktail is all about diluting the drink ingredients in the right proportion to make it palatable and refreshing without tasting waterd down. In this case, a 3-quart pitcher at room temperature with room temperature fresh juice, booze, and agave nectar ensures that the cocktail ingredients melt the right amount of that ice you add at the end to fill the pitcher leaving some to keep the contents cold for when you come back for seconds. We really think you'll love the results and what better way to celebrate the whole month of May than sharing with friends and family? As always, from our table to yours... #SpiceConfidently #EssenceOfFlavor #ChemistryInTheKitchen #CasaMSpice

— Mike Hernandez