Do you ever find when the seasons change there are new fruits or vegetables at the store which you’ve never seen let alone have any idea how to eat them? I did not eat a kumquat until about three years ago when someone tipped me off to just pop them in mouth without trying to peel them. Romanesque looks like it’s from outer space, with prismatic florets but it now one of my all-time favorite vegetables. Do you keep walking when spotting a Star Fruit, having no idea if it needs to be peeled, or cooked or if it’s even really a fruit (it is and you don’t need to peel it)? Especially now with international food logistics shipping all over the world, there are fruits and vegetables popping up constantly that are new to me.
Chances are Persimmons may be one of those fruits you glance at sideways and hope no one asks if you know what they are. Persimmons remind me of my grandmother and great grandmother. Having lived in California where fresh produce is readily available, I remember visiting them over the Christmas holidays when I was a child, and they’d always have persimmons in their kitchens. I know now they were Hachiya persimmons with a funny conical shape that looked like a heart to me when they were sliced in half lengthwise. Nana and Grammy would scoop out the sweet, shiny deep orange flesh from a cut half with a spoon and simply eat them plain. I still delight in their potent hue reminding me of the deep red-orange tones of a slow burning winter fire. I don’t recall ever eating them in a recipe only fresh.
Persimmons disappeared for me until I moved to California for college and continued to live there for the years following. At this time however I didn’t really cook and anything I did make was pretty mainstream. It was really when I began eating seasonally that we became reacquainted, persimmons and I.
Eating seasonally has the same feeling for me as waiting for a loved one to arrive at an airport. I’m sure you know that feeling of anticipation when the plane has landed, the passengers are disembarking and you wait anxiously for your ‘person’ to walk through the doorway. That’s how I feel waiting to see what new will be turning up in the produce section each new season. I can’t wait to dream up a new use for a favorite fruit or something new to do with a vegetable I may have avoided prior, simply not knowing how to use it.
I was recently in Chicago for a conference and out to dinner with some great foodie friends at Rick Bayless’s restaurant Topolobampo. While poring over margarita options my friend Sabrina mentioned persimmon margaritas, something I’d never had, never considered and they were also not on this cocktail menu. I pulled out my phone, as I will do when an idea strikes, and jotted down the idea. Once returning home and feeling a fun Thanksgiving cocktail was in order, I picked up some persimmons giving them a few days to fully ripen on my countertop in a brown paper bag.
Hachiya persimmons are naturally sweet once ripe however if eaten before ripening they are very astringent so I’ve been told (I’ve only eaten them sweet and ripe). They have a glossy, smooth exterior and when they ripen the skin is not quite as taught, and they become soft. I read somewhere they should feel like a water balloon in your hand. To me they feel like the skin has loosened slightly from the flesh. The top of the persimmon, the calyx, needs to be removed and the flesh is easily scooped from the skin. I’ll confess I’ve even pureed them with the skin which disintegrates into the pulp when processed on high speeds.
These margaritas are deep with flavor and the subtle touch of the homemade cinnamon simple syrup. In the summer I typically make fresh-style margaritas with blanco or silver tequila which is not incredibly flavorful. Reposado tequila, which is aged and rested in wood casks giving it a deeper flavor, is a perfect pair with the persimmons lending a serious almost smoky flavor to the cocktail. Simple syrup is super easy to make at home and I’ve been loving the cinnamon version I made earlier this fall which works well in these marg’s. Lastly I’m a big fan of Smoked Salt, Alderwood Smoked Salt to be exact. A little goes a long way but a sprinkle over the rimming salt for the glass adds a further dimension still to my now favorite fall margarita!
Persimmons give a nod that the cold weather months are upon us. Their sweet flesh has an irresistible color and their flavor is sweet and subtle. These margaritas truly welcome the season with layers of moody flavor from the reposado tequila, homemade cinnamon simple syrup and a touch of alderwood smoked salt on the glass rim. They are unexpected and great for holiday entertaining.
There will be more puree than required for a batch of 2 margaritas however I feel sure you may want a second round once tasting these and can also use the puree for other recipes such as Persimmon Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe Hachiya Persimmons
- 4 ounces Reposado Tequila
- 1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed Lime Juice
- 4 ounces Persimmon Puree (instructions below)
- 3 tablespoons Homemade Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- Rimming Salt
- Alderwood Smoked Salt, fine grain (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the calyx (the leafy top) of the persimmons and discard. Scoop the persimmon flesh into a blender and process on high to puree. Extra puree may be stored for a few days sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Pour rimming salt onto a flat medium size plate. Sprinkle some alderwood smoked salt on top of the rimming salt. Wet the rim of the serving glasses (tip: I use a piece of the persimmon skin, the moist inside, and run it over the top of the glass) and place upside down in the salt; gently twist back and forth to coat. Set aside to dry.
- In a shaker combine the tequila, lime juice, persimmon puree and cinnamon simple syrup with fresh ice cubes. Shake vigorously to combine the ingredients. Strain into the rimmed glasses.
I am one of those people who has never had a persimmon before, but I have a feeling I will love it. I think this drink sounds really good.
What gorgeous photos! I’ve never eaten a persimmon and until seeing your photo, I probably wouldn’t have been able to identify one in the grocery store. I like your approach..introducing new foods to your palette in the form of a margarita!! You can’t go wrong with that!
This looks so good and refreshing!!
I am guilty of bipassing fruits and veggies because I have no clue how to eat or prepare them. Now I know how to eat a persimmon so maybe I’ll try one. The coctail looks yumy and the perfect color for fall.
You know, I don’t know if I have ever eaten persimmons! This sounds like a really unique cocktail.
These look amazing. I’m obsessing over the glasses these margaritas are in!
Everything about this sounds amazing. I love the margarita, and that cinnamon simple syrup is yummy, I’m sure.
Oh my this look so amazing!! And that homemade cinnamon simple syrup is perfect for winter!!
I like the airport reference, the idea of seasonal eating is like seeing family at the airport and feeling good inside.
This sounds like a really great flavor combination. I am going to have to give it a try!
Now this sounds really good. I could totally relax with a special drink like this. I need to experiment more with persimmons on their own too.
I am a long-time lover of persimmons of any type. And, having had fresh-made margaritas this summer for the first time (no sweet/sour mix), I can see that this recipe is a must-make. I’m really looking forward to trying these.
What a yummy Margarita. Perfect for the fall season.
Now that looks like a good margarita! I’m never tried the cinnamon flavor before, should be great for the holidays.
Now this looks like my kind of drink! It’s got some fun ingredients that would make for an interesting flavor combination!
Wow Tori these drinks look amazing for an evening sip! I haven’t tried a fresh persimmon before
I have never tried Perisimmons before and have wondered what you can make with them. This margarita sounds delicious. I think it is time that I try a perisimmon.
I love the smell of cinnamon, I haven’t tried to make it, but I’m sure my family would love it too.
I love persimmon. That drink looks so yummy
I have never had a persimmon before! What a great cocktail for the fall!
Cocktails! Now someone is talking my language! I will definitely have to try making this. When I visit Mexico, there are three things I bring back regularly, Jewelry, Art and TEQUILA! 🙂
This sounds amazing. I haven’t ever had anything like this before, but it looks just great!
Tried this today with some [unfortunately] frozen & thawed persimmon, that I think had been in my freezer too long. That said, this is one I’d like to try again with fresh persimmons. And maybe a little less tequila. I had to ad-lib with the shaker and strainer, because I own no bar equipment beyond a nice little 4-oz. measuring glass. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Susan I often use a quart size Mason jar with lid as a shaker. It’s perfect having enough room for the ingredients and room to shake them vigorously. If you have a sieve you can strain through that into the glass. I have only used fresh puree so can’t comment on using frozen, thawed persimmon but I would encourage trying again with fresh persimmons while in season! Happy Thanksgiving!
What a great idea! I love the flavor of persimmons and I bet they make amazing margaritas. Trying this one for sure!
Toni, I tried these with fresh persimmons today, and the difference was amazing. These are truly wonderful with fresh persimmons. I still have another persimmon, so we’ll have to ‘suffer’ through another round of them… 🙂
Yay!!! I feel your pain on the second round Susan. Thanks for taking one for the team!