Some of you may already know that my mom, at one point in her life, was called the “Margarita Lady” – or maybe you’ve just heard of this infamous person, but never knew she was my mom! Well, this week in honor of Cinco de Mayo, she’s sharing her original diet margarita recipe with all of us.  

I’m sure, as a baby, I was lulled to sleep by the sound of the blender (that is on those nights when my parents were too tired to put me in the car and go for a drive). My son got his first glimpse of his grandparents’ celebratory lifestyle when he was only two days old. My parents hosted a Kentucky Derby party for a large crowd and convinced me that there was no harm in bringing a two day old baby out into the world for a good time. When I walked in with my boy who was sound asleep in his car seat, my dad promptly took him and  placed him right next to the industrial-sized margarita machine. To everyone’s amazement, the seven pound newborn remained in a peaceful slumber. And there was my dad, in all of his glory, introducing his first grandbaby to several of his fraternity brothers who had flown in from Missouri.    

I don’t even dare guess the number of margaritas that my parents have made over the years, or how many blenders they’ve worn through. They highly endorse the Margaritaville blender and these are professional margarita connoisseurs. Last year, with the Margaritaville by her side, my mom was on a mission to create a diet margarita that tasted as good as her standard go-to margarita recipe. Several pitchers later,  mission accomplished! – she created a diet margarita that’s refreshing, but low on calories. So what are you waiting for… get that blender out and celebrate the great week ahead. Cheers!

Lynda’s Diet Margaritas

SIMPLE SYRUP:  1 1/4 CUP  WATER + 1 1/4 CUP  SPLENDA

1.  COMBINE WATER AND SPLENDA IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN.  STIR OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL SPLENDA DISSOLVES.  BRING TO A BOIL.  COOL.  CAN BE MADE A WEEK AHEAD.  COVER AND CHILL.

SWEET AND SOUR MIX:  1 CUP FRESH LIME JUICE + 1 CUP FRESH LEMON JUICE + 13/4 CUPS SIMPLE SYRUP.

1.  COMBINE SIMPLE SYRUP, LIME AND LEMON JUICE IN PITCHER AND STIR.  REFRIGERATE UP TO ONE WEEK.

MARGARITA:  1/2 CUP TEQUILA + 1/4 CUP CONTREAU OR TRIPLE SEC + 1 3/4 CUPS SWEET & SOUR MIX.

1.  POUR TEQUILA, CONTREAU OR TRIPLE SEC AND SWEET AND SOUR MIX IN A BLENDER AND FILL WITH ICE.

2.  BLEND UNTIL SMOOTH.  RIM GLASS WITH SALT AND GARNISH WITH LEMON OR LIME SLICE.