Happy National Margarita Day! Well naturally, there’s an entire day dedicated to sipping a cocktail. You would think it would be around Cinco de Mayo, yes? And a lot of people thought it was just yesterday, but no it’s actually today. Which means, a lot of people like Margaritas and therefore we should share them every day.
I have been in love with lilikoi recently and thanks to Melissa’s Produce for sending me a few last week! I have already made lilikoi cheesecake with them and had a few leftover to make something intoxicating, such as this lilikoi margarita! The day before I shot these photos, I scooped out the flesh to save and threw away the shells, which I am slightly regretting because I think a photo of the whole fruit would look beautiful along side this drink. And as I’ve mentioned before, if you can’t find lilikoi fruit also called passion fruit, many Hispanic markets sell the pulp frozen under their Goya brand.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, a few bloggy friends got together and made all sorts of Margarita inspired treats. Everything from the traditional cocktails to desserts to entrees. I really wish we were celebrating in person and not just “virtually”, but testing margaritas never hurt anybody!
So, li hung mui. A few people have asked what this is. I usually only find it in Hawaii and grew up “sucking” on li hung mui seeds all through high school. Basically it is dried plum. You can buy them as seeds in a bag and salt, sugar and sometimes food coloring is added. It’s salty, sweet, tangy and can be an acquired taste. You can also find it as a powder or coated on dried fruit, such as mango. When our friend from Hawaii visited us recently, he bought me a few bags of the powder which came in perfect for the rim. It is a strong, salty sweet taste so a little goes a long way.
Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Grand Marnier
- 1 oz Triple sec
- 1 oz Tequila
- 1/4 cup lilikoi purée
- 1 Tb simple syrup or ginger syrup recipe here
- Ice
- Li hing mui powder for rim
- Orange and lime slices/wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by rimming your glass with a lime or orange wedge. I do this holding the glass upside down so there's no dripping. Then rim the edge of the glass with li hing mui powder. Fill with ice.
- In a shaker, add everything except the li hing mui and garnish. Shake vigorously and pour into prepared glass.
- Garnish with more lilikoi pulp, if desired and orange and lime slices.
Check out what everyone else made to celebrate National Margarita Day!
Margaritas:
- Blackberry Margarita from Cooking for My Peace of Mind
- Chili Lime Margarita from Curious Cuisiniere
- Chocolate Margaritas from The Texan New Yorker
- Creamsicle Margaritas from Savvy Eats
- Frozen Mango Margarita from Noshing with the Nolands
- Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Margaritas Gone Wild from Delaware Girl Eats
- Mixed Berry Margarita from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Mom’s Wicked Margarita from Desserts Required
- Pomegranate Margarita from Daily Dish Recipes
- Spicy Raspberry Frozen Margarita from The Weekend Gourmet
- Tamarind Margaritas from girlichef
- The Great Grapefruit Margarita from La Cocina de Leslie
- Tim G’s Margarita from Sidewalk Shoes
Margarita Bites:
- Baked Margarita Chicken Wings from Healthy. Delicious.
- Chambord Margarita Macarons from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Margarita Cake with Sugar Cookie Crust from Gotta Get Baked
- Margarita Cheesecake Bars from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Margarita Cupcakes from The Foodie Army Wife
- Margarita Donuts from Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
- Margarita Mousse from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Margarita Shrimp from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Margarita Shrimp Tacos from Supper for a Steal
- Strawberry Margarita Sweet Rolls from The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
- Top Shelf (Margarita) Truffles from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Liz says
February 22, 2014 at 4:48 amGORGEOUS!!! And now I want to try li hing mu…what a fun twist!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
February 22, 2014 at 5:08 amThese sound delicious! And, I agree, we should share margaritas every day!
Tara says
February 22, 2014 at 6:02 amWhat a unique and stunning margarita, I adore your pictures!!
Samantha says
February 22, 2014 at 8:41 amThank you Tara! Such a compliment from you!
Heather // girlichef says
February 22, 2014 at 6:26 amSamantha, these are seriously gorgeous! What I wouldn’t give to make this party more than virtual. And of course, now I’m dying to try both lilikoi and li hing mui… 😉 Cheers!
Samantha says
February 22, 2014 at 8:40 amThanks so much Heather!!
Danielle says
February 22, 2014 at 7:45 amoh wow! so tropical and exotic sounding. I’ve never heard of lilikoi before. Now I will be on the lookout so I can see what they’re all about 🙂
Samantha says
February 22, 2014 at 8:40 amHi Danielle! lilikoi is also called passion fruit! A lot of Hispanic markets carry the frozen pulp!!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
February 22, 2014 at 8:01 amI’ve never heard of lilikoi or i hing mu but now I really want to try them. These are gorgeous!
Samantha says
February 22, 2014 at 8:39 amThank you so much Lauren! They are also called passion fruit and you can find the pulp frozen in most Hispanic markets if you can’t find the fruit!
Susan says
February 22, 2014 at 9:17 amYour pictures turned out stunning! I had a feeling lilikoi was passion fruit but figured I’d wait until your reveal!
Hezzi-D says
February 22, 2014 at 10:54 amThese are so bright and beautiful! I have never had lilikoi and I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen it. Must get looking for it!
Leslie @ La Cocina de Leslie says
February 22, 2014 at 2:28 pmOh my goodness gracious! These margaritas are gorgeous! And I’m very curious about li hing mui. It sounds like a childhood favorite snack of mine called “saladitos”, which are dried salted plums with or without spice. So good!
Samantha says
February 23, 2014 at 9:19 amIt does sound similar Leslie…thank so much!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
February 22, 2014 at 5:27 pmThis sounds amazing and your photos are gorgeous!
Samantha says
February 23, 2014 at 9:19 amThank you so much, Pam!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
February 22, 2014 at 6:51 pmI love that I learned about a new ingredient today. What a fun recipe, and that color is amazing!!
Samantha says
February 23, 2014 at 9:19 amThank you so much Renee! I hope you try passion fruit (aka lilikoi) someday! Its so beautiful!
Julie says
February 22, 2014 at 7:02 pmGah, that color is so pretty! Great margarita idea!
Samantha says
February 23, 2014 at 9:17 amThanks Julie!!!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
February 22, 2014 at 8:45 pmSam, your drink and photos are absolutely GAW-GEOUS! I’ve never been able to photograph drinks this beautifully. I need to learn your secrets! I also need a pitcher of this drink! I think Chinese people have dried plum that’s very similar to li hung mui. It sounds just like our version, it’s dried up and is salty/sour/sweet. I loved it as a kid.
Samantha says
February 23, 2014 at 9:08 amYes it does sound the same! salty/sweet/sour kinda thing…love it!! And honestly…I just get lucky with the photos thing!!..for real lol
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
February 23, 2014 at 5:26 pmThis. Is. GORGEOUS!!!
Laura @ Tide & Thyme says
February 24, 2014 at 7:38 amThese are absolutely beautiful. Will have to try to find some passion fruits next time I’m up towards civilization again!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
February 24, 2014 at 9:25 amHow unique! (And educational). 🙂 Gorgeous color, too, wow! I may try these with passion fruit sometime. Thanks!
Delaware Girl Eats says
February 24, 2014 at 10:12 amNow this is one I’m definitely going to have to try!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
February 26, 2014 at 9:14 pmLOOK at the color! I need one of these to help me ward of winter. One or, you know, three.
Samantha says
February 27, 2014 at 8:04 amThanks Erin! Ya you guys are having a rough winter!
Lucy Parissi says
March 29, 2014 at 8:11 amThanks for your comment on my passionfruit martini – glad I discovered your blog! Have some catching to do. Love this cocktail – pinning and planning to make ASAP!
Jill Roberts says
August 2, 2017 at 3:54 amThis Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui is perfect drink for hot summer! I’ll try it! Also i’ll try chocolate margaritas and margarita cupcakes! Thx for sharing recipe and links!
Samantha says
August 2, 2017 at 8:36 amYesss both sounds soooo good!!!
Julia Stearns @ Healthirony says
March 12, 2019 at 2:12 amFantastic photos, and amazing looking Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui! I am obsessed with margaritas! I’ll definitely try it! Thanks a lot for sharing!