Time For Cocktails: The Maggie

I hung the crown molding!

I'm starting a new series here which will present my favorite cocktail recipes. I would appreciate any suggestions for improvements or derivatives thereof.

The "Maggie" is a drink my wife invented but which I named. Essentially, it's a margarita but is made with gin instead of tequila. The cocktail should be a perfect accompaniment for this weekend's nuptial festivities.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz Cointreau*
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (that's about a half a lime)

Double the amounts if you're making for two, or if you're thirsty.

Combine and shake with ice. Pour into a chilled martini glass.

Notes

*Margaritas are sometimes made with triple sec which you can also use.  Both are essentially an orange flavored liqueur. Limes should be freshly squeezed using an old fashioned juicer to get every drop. We strain it through a wire mesh to catch the pulp, but you can skip that step.