Cocktail Rimmers Worth the Grind

If you don't want to salt in your drink (generally you wouldn't unless it's, say, your fifth drink and you don't care), rim only the outer edge.

Our favorite infusions are below. Warning: Break them out in Tijuana at your own risk.

1. Kaffir Lime Leaf Infused Salt

1. Dry out a fresh batch of kaffir lime leaves (maybe six or seven) by leaving them sit for two days on your countertop. You can also toast, roast or nuke them, but we wanted to preserve the flavor.
2. Give dried leaves a spin in a coffee grinder — remove stems first because they’re tough to break down.
3. Add sea salt to grinder a little bit at a time and blend with kaffir leaves. Add salt and blend, to taste.

2. Kaffir Cayenne-Infused Salt

1. Use the kaffir lime leaf salt prep method above.
2. Add a dash or two of cayenne to kick up spice. A little goes a long way, so start slow.

3. Blueberry-Infused Salt

1. Grind one to two cups of freeze-dried blueberries (they’ll turn into a powder or dust).
   Add sea salt to grinder a little bit at a time and blend. Use a white salt variety, it will turn your mixture blue and up the presentation factor on the cocktail.
   *This version also works well with muddled blueberry margaritas.

We test-drove these on a simple margarita recipe:

• 2 parts tequila (we’re in the camp that believes a better tequila yields better results)
• 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 part Cointreau or Grand Marnier (some margarita masters are subbing in agave nectar for orange liqueur)

1. Line the outside of an old fashioned with a lime and dip the glass into the salt infusion to line the outer rim.
2. Shake ingredients, pour in the rimmed lowball.

Margarita? Good. An off-roaded Kaffir Berry-tini … better.

• 2 parts gin (we’re partial to Boodles, 209 and Old Raj)
• 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 part kaffir simple syrup (pour one cup boiling water over 1 cup sugar and several kaffir leaves; steep for a few hours)
• 1 teaspoon blackberry preserves

1. Shake and strain. Serve up, extremely cold on a sleek ceramic dish that serves as both a coaster and a spot to stash a sidecar or a garnish.

Note: These salts are just as incredible on food. We’re now testing the theory that there’s nothing you can’t add to salts. Stay tuned.

Shooters seem far more sophisticated when they're slammed with a salt rim.

Note: These salts are just as incredible on food. We’re now testing the theory that there’s nothing you can’t add to salts. Stay tuned.