A blood orange margarita perfect for the holidays.
By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Images courtesy of Manuel’s
For Manuel’s 40th anniversary, they released a new option on their drink menu: The Manuelian Sunset. This is a tequila-based cocktail that combines the smooth flavor of premium tequila with the vibrant crimson hue of fresh blood orange.
The Manuelian Sunset begins with a base of 100% LALO blue agave tequila, a local favorite selected for its crisp, citrusy notes. The star of the show is the fresh blood orange puree, which lends a rich, fruit flavor and vibrant crimson holiday color, finished with a splash of freshly squeezed lime juice and a touch of triple sec for a hint of sweetness and depth.
This is a fresh and festive cocktail – perfect for the holidays!
Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Silver Tequila
- .5 oz Cointreau
- .5 blood orange juice
- .75 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
Instructions:
- Fill a mixing tin with ice
- Add all ingredients and shake vigorously
- Empty shaker contents into a rocks glass with a salted rim
- Garnish with a blood orange slice
Manuel’s Great Hills
What becomes an icon most? How does a restaurant blend the welcoming atmosphere of Cheers with the resiliency and tenacity of The Bear? What is the recipe for 40 years in business in our fast-growing metropolis where so many of our favorite restaurants have been replaced by development and corporate backed cuisine?
The Manuel’s 4 step recipe for success:
1. Authentic Regional Cuisine
Nothing beats going back to the unique flavors, ingredients and preparation rooted in personal experience for authenticity.
At Manuel’s, the recipes for signature dishes and drinks honor the traditional cuisine and local dishes owner Greg Koury discovered during his lifelong visits to Mexico. A commitment to only the best ingredients – fresh, locally sourced, wild-caught and sustainable – without cutting corners sets a gold standard for food and drink.
2. Welcoming Atmosphere
The design should reflect the “personality” of the restaurant. Both the interior and exterior spaces designed by co-owner Jennifer McNevin are open and comfortable, combining an upscale, laid-back Austin vibe with a nod to escaping to a patio in Mexico where you can leave your cares behind.
3. Community
The best way to build a patron base that returns again and again to enjoy their favorite meals and celebrate the important occasions in their lives is to make them part of a community. This begins with creating a family feeling among staff with a stake in the game to deliver impeccable service. Nothing is more important to longevity than a long-term, experienced staff and an engaged and loyal clientele.
4. Live the Legacy
Dream of the legacy you want to build and live that dream. Legacy businesses contribute to the identity of their neighborhoods and the city as a whole and are essential to Austin’s culture. A restaurant can become part of the fabric of the city and meals enjoyed there can live in patrons’ memories for a lifetime.The Secret Sauce “We are survivors,” says McNevin. “Our ability to adapt and evolve while staying true to our core values and serving dishes you can’t get anywhere else has been key to our longevity. We’ve faced every challenge head-on, from the dot-com crash and the stock market crash of ’87 to the S & L financial crisis, 9/11, the Great Recession and even the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, we have maintained an unwavering commitment to our food, our staff and our community. That’s the secret to our longevity.”