The Bearss lime is bearing fruit! (Plus: the perfect margarita.)

For the first time since we planted it in the spring of 2007, our Bearss lime tree is bearing fruit! She's given us a couple of dozen fruits so far, give or take a lime. For some odd reason, we couldn't find any lime trees that spring at the local nurseries, so I ordered a Bearss lime (also known as a Persian lime or a Tahiti lime) and a Mexican key lime from Thompson Citrus Nursery in Weslaco, TX. April 16, 2007, says the receipt, making this tree three years and four months old. David Thompson's nursery has since closed, but he still grows and sells Rio Pride citrus fruit. [UPDATE: Thompson citrus nursery is once again selling Texas citrus trees at http://thompsoncitrus.com/Order.asp and can ship anywhere except AR, CA and FL.]

Bearss lime bearing fruit

Neither Jack nor I relished the idea of hauling a heavy potted lime tree in and out of the garage several times each winter, and we all know how quickly planted containers can dry out during our hot Texas summers, so we decided early on to plant the limes in the ground. The downside is, in-ground citrus trees need a bit of babying when the temperatures dip below freezing. Niceties like frost cloth, rope lights, and clip lights keep tender limbs from getting nipped. Because citrus trees are grafted onto hardy and well-adapted rootstock, winter protection is crucial; a tree that dies back to the ground won't return true. Thompson grafted his limes onto sour orange rootstock, known for its ability to enhance fruit flavor and color and the tree's tolerance to drought, cold and alkaline soils. (Unfortunately, sour orange rootstock is highly susceptible to the dreaded citrus tristeza virus or CTV, which has wiped out millions of citrus groves worldwide. Shudder!)

Bearss lime tree

We've yet to have a large enough key lime harvest for pie, but we have enjoyed a large enough Persian lime harvest this year to make several batches of what I consider to be the perfect margarita. Anyone that knows us knows that we are a bit, hmm, what's a nice way to put it, particular about our margaritas. (Those less charitable might find the term "utter elitist pricks" to be a more apt description.) For this, we have the esteemed Wes Marshall of the Austin Chronicle to thank (blame?), as Wes' favorite margarita recipe was the inspiration for our own homemade 'ritas.

What's in our "house margarita"?

Now, Wes prefers tequila blanco, while we prefer reposado; specifically, Cazadores Reposado, which we discovered on a 2006 trip to Mexico. Wes prefers Cointreau or Controy orange liqueur, while we prefer locally-produced Paula's Texas Orange liqueur. Wes prefers key limes, while we find both our homegrown Mexican and Bearss limes equally appealing. Wes likes salt; we skip it (although if I were to use salt, I'd get some-a that fancy pink Himalayan sea salt). Wes likes his margaritas James-Bond-style (shaken, not stirred), strained into a martini glass; we prefer ours stirred and poured over ice in double old-fashioned glasses. We do agree on many points: namely, that the tequila must be 100% blue agave; the liqueur must be of high quality (no cheap triple sec) and absolutely, positively no sweet and sour mix: only fresh lime juice will do.

Two tools that we find essential for margarita-making are a measuring glass and a citrus squeezer. The measuring glass ensures consistency, and the citrus squeezer makes juicing the limes quick and easy.

Step three: squeeze the lime juice into the measuring glass.

So enough chit-chat already: here's our 'house margarita' recipe.
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce Paula's Texas Orange liqueur
1 1/2 ounces Cazadores Reposado tequila
A healthy squirt of agave nectar
Stir and pour over ice. Makes one very potent, intensely flavorful margarita. Unlike most orange liqueurs, Paula's Texas Orange is 80 proof, so use that measuring glass, and take care not to overserve your guests! You can add a splash of water if you must, or nurse your drink and let the melting ice mellow its kick.

We think they're good to the very last drop.

Good to the last drop!

For step-by-step instructions (I warned you we were particular!) and more pictures of glorious homegrown limes, visit my Perfect Margarita photo set at Flickr. Cheers!

Words and photos © 2009-2010 Caroline Homer for "The Shovel-Ready Garden". Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Comments

  1. I know about babying citrus trees..haven't gone to the extent of the lights yet. It's hard to beat a good margarita isn' it?

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  2. Oh, my, can I come over right this minute?

    I still haven't planted a lime but must do so. I love our satsuma orange.

    And I will be saving your fabulosa margarita recipe!

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  3. HELL yea! Finally, more utter elitist margaritas pricks like us!! LOVED this post. I'll have to try your recipe. We use nothing but the finest (OK, not THE finest, but very, very good) blue agave and fresh limeade with white sugar. We do use lots of rim shalt and we stir and pour over double old-fashioned too.
    I'm thirsty.

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  4. I need a margarita! Really enjoyed your post. I had both Persian and Mexican limes until last year. Lost both in the freeze and haven't replaced, although I saw HD has them in this week. I have a preference for the Mexican when it comes to margarita. The Persian lime tastes to me like Roses lime juice, from which I am sure it was made. We like the Herradura, silver agave and cointreau. Expensive concoction to be sure. We are out at the moment so maybe I will have to make do with a Z Tejas-which I like too. Oh, we have the same little squeezer, picked up in Mexico. Best little gadget. Will pass on your recipe to D.

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  5. I've never been a big fan of Marg on the rocks, but I'm gonna try your recipe...it sounds delicious...I'll have to store buy those limes though...ouch!

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  6. Caroline, that Texas Orange liqueur is quite the additive, isn't it! 40 proof, and a little goes a long way, but baby it makes a good 'rita! Fun post.

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  7. 80 proof, my friend -- 80 proof! Which is 40% alcohol by volume. Same as the tequila!

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  8. I find it amusing that Jack and I both discovered Cazadores independently. Must be in the DNA.

    I fell in love with it when Marilyn and I went down to Mexico a couple years ago. A store in the little town we stayed in sold it dirt cheap, and I couldn't believe how good it was for the money.

    It's my favorite tequila now; it's all I drink, tequila-wise.

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