Over the summer I had a chance to have sandwiches with Pete from On Sandwiches and Progressive Boink, and we spoke briefly about recipes I post for the Football Foodie. Somehow we fell into the topic of berverages and football and I had to concede that over the years drinks had become a rather underserved part of the series, mostly because football to most fans generally means beer and soda. Coincidentally, about the same time I discussed football cocktails with Pete, I started staring at the blood oranges and tangerines at the market wondering how you could do a variation of a margarita in a punch form without destroying your liver because I was looking for something that could help take the heat off while watching baseball. But don’t worry, through my exhaustive preseason testing I’ve determined this punch will work for football too.
Tangerine Tequila Punch
Obviously, this is a very strong drink. Wait until after you’ve made your fantasy moves for the week to have a glass of this punch or you might attempt to start Deion Sanders at place kicker, get upset that Yahoo(!) won’t let you start Deion Sanders at place kicker, yell at your monitor for a few minutes, passive-aggressively sub-Tweet at both Yahoo(!) and your league commissioner that it’s complete garbage you cannot start Deion Sanders at place kicker and why did you play $50 to play in a league run by fascists, try to pull the tiny Deion Sanders DirecTV spokesperson-fairy out of your television and after that fails, start Billy Cundiff.
At wide receiver.
Tangerines are typically sweeter than oranges and their juice makes for a smoother, less acidic bite than other citrus juices. Adding a touch of Cointreau adds a touch of dryness that helps sharpen the punch while the lime gives just a enough tart for the drink to feel refreshing, great for the inevitable September heat wave.
You can buy tangerine juice at many markets, but this punch tastes best when made from fresh tangerines.
You will need:
1 1/2 cups tangerine juice, strained (2 1/2 pounds of tangerines yields approximately 1 1/2 cup juice)
1/4 cup lime juice, strained (1 very large lime or 2 medium limes)
1 1/2 cup tequila, preferably reposado tequila but a blanco is fine
1/4 cup Cointreau or preferred triple sec brand
1/4 cup simple syrup
2 cups ice, plus more for serving
Lime slices for serving
In a pitcher or punch bowl with ice, mix together tangerine juice, lime juice, tequila, Cointreau and simple syrup.
Serve over ice with thin lime slices.
Notes:
To make juicing easier, firmly rolls the tangerines and limes against the counter before cutting open to soften up their pulpy innards.
Simple syrup is made by gently boiling together equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Cool to at least room temperature before using.
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- 1½ cups tangerine juice, strained (2½ pounds of tangerines yields approximately 1½ cup juice)
- ¼ cup lime juice, strained (1 very large lime or 2 medium limes)
- 1½ cup tequila, preferably reposado tequila but a blanco is fine
- ¼ cup Cointreau or preferred triple sec brand
- ¼ cup simple syrup
- 2 cups ice, plus more for serving
- Lime slices for serving
- In a pitcher or punch bowl with ice, mix together tangerine juice, lime juice, tequila, Cointreau and simple syrup.
- Serve over ice with thin lime slices.
[…] yourself on a downward spiral in the kitchen this season? Fear not. Make a quick tangerine tequila punch and call or text Sarah’s football food emergency helpline…Â Tell her Holly sent […]