Sweet Ginger Margarita

Ingredients:
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- 2 oz white tequila
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
- splash of lemon juice
- Garnish: candied ginger (optional)

Heat the fresh ginger slices with the simple syrup in a pan over low heat for about 5 minutes. The syrup should thicken significantly. Combine the ginger syrup, tequila, Grand Marnier, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for a good 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with candied ginger, if desired. A great cocktail to serve with a spicy cuisine such as Thai or Indian. (Cocktail created by Kim Haasarud, author of 101 Margarita. Reprinted by permission from 101 Margaritas by Kim Haasarud. Photo: Alexandra Grablewski)