#MargaritaWeek: Pink Grapefruit Margaritas with Ginger Simple Syrup & Lime Salt

Skip post & feast directly on the recipe →

You know, sometimes I wonder if I take life – or myself – seriously enough.

Like if I was to tow the line, stiff upper lip, tone down the “enthusiasm,” pop out a few tiny humans, and don footwear more age appropriate than sneakers, I’d be taken seriously as a writer. As an entrepreneur. As a 37 year old woman. Or as a grown-up. 

I won’t lie, even in serious situations, I tend to crack jokes and be optimistic about the bigger picture. It doesn’t mean I don’t take things to heart or cry uncontrollably in the bathtub. I absolutely do. I just do my best to find the joy in the moment. Because all we really get is a series of moments. The past has already happened, and there’s nothing you can do about it. The future hasn’t happened yet and you can’t predict it. So the only real thing we have, is what’s happening in the here and now. And I like to think when life hands me sour fruit, I make margaritas. Or Whiskey Sours. Or Tom Collins. Or Pisco Sours. Or Old Fashioneds… I’ll stop.

Between getting my lady bits stung by angry bees, walking face first into glass walls, sharing anecdotes about my nipples, and generally being an awkward human being, you’d think I’d learn to can it, stand up straight, not run with scissors, buy some land, and be on my best behaviour.

…#Adulting.

Trouble is, I can’t quite figure those bits out. Man bits, on other hand, those I can handle.

Unrelated: I was at dinner with a guy friend of 16 years the other night. We’ve grown and changed so much individually, yet despite distance and time, we’ve remained close. When I see him, it’s like nothing is different between us and I feel totally at home.

So we’re at dinner, exchanging stories, and I confess I tried to find a real job. Again. Only a few months ago. It’s something I play with every once in a while – cashing in my business in exchange for a consistent paycheck and a bit of stability.

It never works out well.

The look on his face was priceless. I thought he was going to come over the very-hip(ster)-picnic table and slap me silly. He knows me so well, and he knows that the Monday to Friday, 9-5, just doesn’t fit me.

It’s just too serious.

Serious about time. Serious about clothes. Serious about chains of command. Serious about work. Serious about profit. Serious about being serious.

Me? I gotta have a little flexibility in my schedule to go on hikes and nap regularly. I want to wear what feels good and sexy and comfortable – all at the same time. I need to make my own rules and answer to no one. I like to turn out smart, creative work AND have space for passion projects. I enjoy making a profit, but not at the expense of anyone else or my values.

Life is too short, to be so serious.

Humour, enthusiasm, creativity, joy, passion – these things are my JAM.

After my friend finished berating me for wasting my time and energy (the only two resources we never get back) trying to shape myself into a round hole when I’m clearly an octagonal peg, I realized he was right.

I shouldn’t resist who I am, even though who I am is a little off the beaten path. I should lean into it.

…Am I the only one that thinks “shape myself into a round hole” sounds dirty…?

Darling friends, my tequila-fueled point is this: Think about what you want for your life; compromise nothing. Be good to others. And be present, in this moment.

I’ve clearly been thinking about this a lot, lately. If you read my Classic Margarita Recipe the other day, I was spouting off a similar thread. I think it’s because my life is in a major state of change right now. Selling all my material belongings and trekking to Thailand with everything I own strapped on my back is proving contemplative. And adventurous. And I’m not sure if I want to laugh or cry most of the time…

But hot damn, this is my life. And I get to design it.

This, my friends, is our rally call. To not take everything so seriously. To be human. To give in to vulnerability and passion and truth. And to not wear pants. Because fuck pants. And fuck tomorrow. Have a little fun! 

Guys, this Cuervo Pink Grapefruit Margarita with ginger simple syrup & lime salt, is all kinds of fun. Just like #MargaritaWeek! Big fat thanks to Kate at ¡Hola Jalapeño! for hosting us each year and giving us a reason to buy more tequila and get down and juicy with Cinco de Mayo!

For this recipe (and National Margarita Day) I’ve paired up with Jose Cuervo and Voodoo Doughnuts to bring you all kinds of boozy yum!

In the meantime though, this cocktail is for you. It’s pretty and simple as can be. And it’s all yours.

#TomorrowIsOverrated, #NationalMargaritaDay

Join Cuervo for the celebration: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | YouTube

Join Voodoo Doughnuts for the celebration: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Hey friends! If you live in a Drizly serviced city, get serviced! You can save $5 on a bottle of Cuervo, courtesy of Drizly, using promo code CUERVOMARG. I get nothing out of your purchase, except pure joy knowing you’ll be enjoying National Margarita Day along side us! (21+ ,new users, subject to law.)

Disclosure of Material Connection: Jose Cuervo did provide me compensation for the work I did developing a recipe and taking the pictures & video for this post. Thank you Cuervo for supporting my blog! Regardless, I only recommend, giveaway or share products or services I love, use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions, words and information here are entirely accurate and a reflection of my true experience and were not influenced, in any way, by the above mentioned products or companies. Opinions and views are my own. Because that’s how I roll, yo. I’ve never been one to shut my mouth – I’m not going to start now.