Jalapeno-Cucumber Margarita

The weekend is around the corner, the warmer weather is starting to make it's way into town, the days are getting longer, so what better way to welcome Summer than a deliciously spicy-cool cocktail? I call this the "Green-eyed Girl" - for the simple reason that it's green, and I knew a girl named Margarita once. This interesting combination of flavors is sublime, the coolness of the cucumber keeping the heat from the jalapenos under control. The sweetness of the syrup bringing out the subtle flavors of the tequila, while the tartness of fresh lime juice keeps your lips pursed. So raise a glass to Summer, and welcome all of the tantalizing flavors that are part of this season!

Green-eyed girl
6 slices (about 1/8" thick) of peeled cucumber
3 slices of fresh jalapeno
Juice from 1 lime
1.5 oz quality tequila blanco
3/4oz simple syrup

Muddle the cucumber and jalapeno slices, add lime juice, tequila and syrup. Shake vigorously and serve over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Simple syrup is easy to make, just mix equal parts water and sugar, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cool. To salt the rim of a glass, just run a sliced lime along the glass edge, then dip into rock salt in a shallow dish. Garnish with a lime wedge and cucumber slice.