Wild Blueberry Margarita on the Rocks

Every summer I seem to have one cocktail that I lean towards. Last summer it was many variations of the mojito. This summer it has been margarita time. This isn't anything unusual, I have been a lifelong (adult life anyway) margarita fan. The salt is key. I'm also a big fan of salt. Next to my stove I have three jars of various sea salt. A few weeks ago Laurie Constantino tweeted about Alaska Pure Sea Salt. I promptly checked out the Alaska Pure Sea Salt web page. As soon as I saw wild blueberry salt I knew I had to have some. Some people might wonder what to do with blueberry salt, but not me. I knew immediately that it would be reserved for margaritas. Then it was just a matter of waiting for the blueberries to ripen.
In the meantime I had been enjoying the margarita recipe that was posted on White on Rice Couple's blog earlier this year. Instead of Triple Sec, Cointreu, or Grand Marnier it uses orange bitters. I have always found the balance to be a a bit off in the traditional version on the rocks. This Margarita is very smooth.
When it finally came time to make blueberry margaritas I originally thought the only way to go would be a blended version with blueberry puree. I knew it would look pretty, but I wasn't sold on it as my blueberry drink of choice. Then in a simple aha moment I thought why not adjust my new favorite recipe to include blueberry simple syrup? It was perfect the first time around. I'll warn you that the orange bitters are not cheap ($9 a bottle in Fairbanks at Gavora's), but they are a whole lot cheaper than a bottle of Triple Sec. One small bottle of bitters has lasted through a Cinco de Mayo party and a whole summer of Margarita drinking.
Also, if you don't have a cocktail shaker you can use a Mason jar. I have been doing this for years, but I recently supported a Kickstarter campaign to turn my canning jar into a fancy cocktail shaker. The campaign has been very successful and you still have a few days if you want to get your very own Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker.
I just picked up some lavender from the Farmer's Market today. I'm thinking about whipping up a batch of blueberry lavender simple syrup for the next round. Cheers.

Wild Blueberry Margarita on the Rocks
adapted slightly from White on Rice Couple 
serves one

one slice of lime
blueberry sea salt  (regular coarse salt will do)
2 ounces Tequila of choice (you don't need anything fancy here)
2 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice (about half of one lime)
1 ounce blueberry simple syrup 
5 dashes orange bitters 
ice cubes

Sprinkle sea salt on a small plate. Rub the rim of your glass with a slice of lime then dip the glass in the salt.
In a cocktail shaker or mason jar combine Tequila, lime juice, blueberry simple syrup, orange bitters and a few ice cubes. Put the cover on and shake hard for a good 20 seconds. You can either strain it into your salt rimmed glass or pour the whole thing in if you prefer the ice cubes on a hot day. Garnish with the slice of lime or just squeeze the slice of lime and toss it in the glass.