for me, warm weather equals margaritas.  unfortunately for me on this fine, warm day, there was no agave in the house, and agave's sole purpose in our household is to be mixed with tequila.  i thought i was out of luck:  honey and coconut nectar were destined to congeal, and i've never considered mixing maple syrup with tequila.  oh, how wrong i was!  maple syrup is my sweetener of choice in baked goods, on baked goods, on roasted vegetables... you name it.  so then, why not in a margarita?  my friends, i have been depriving myself of this delicious concoction for TEN years (because of course, mom and dad, i did not consume alcohol prior to age 21).  i promise you, this may just be the best margarita you have ever had, and by far the easiest to make.  forget the cointreau and grand marnier, you don't need them.  this recipe requires only three ingredients: 

2 ounces tequila (i used dulce vida añejo)

1 ounce maple syrup (NOT pancake syrup.  yes, there is a difference.)

the juice of one lime

see?  so easy.  i bet you won't even need to look up the recipe next time.  now, throw those bad boys in a shaker with some ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass of fresh ice.  

you're welcome.