**This is a sponsored post in partnership with Exotico Tequila intended for a 21+ audience only.

This feels like proper work attire for me.

On a related note…everybody has their own cotton candy machine at home, right?

.

.

Just me? Allrighty then.

I’ve been wanting to do a cotton candy garnish situation on a drink for awhile, and as we creep towards Halloween timez, it felt like the right move. It also felt right to dress up like a chicken circus ringleader because it’s actually my job title.

Plus also…I have a cotton candy machine at home. Did I mention?

I’ve also wanted to play around with a tequila version of the classic Aviation cocktail… AND THE TIME IS NIGH. Crème de Violette liqueur is what gives the drink it’s pretty purple hue, and I thought I’d lean into that floral vibe a bit more (because: Hi, my name is Kate, and I love floral cocktails).

And you know what’s really fun? You can use any flavor hard candy (with a few minor exceptions) in previously discussed at-home cotton candy machine, so I opted to use some fancy violet-flavored candies to make my cotton candy garnish.

Listen…if you don’t want to be crazy and obtain your own cotton candy machine and then painstakingly make your own tiny cotton candy garnish, THAT IS OKAY. Just make the drink without it. IT STILL HOLDS UP. But if you DO go to the trouble of making cotton candy garnish…I just want you to know that I love you. Alawt.

So let’s make this pretty little libation:

SPUN SUGAR FLOWER MARGARITA

Makes one serving. *

The drinks shown in the photos are double servings. Just FYI.

• 2 oz. Exotico Tequila Blanco

• 1 oz. Crème de Violette liqueur

• 1 oz. fresh lime juice

• 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur

• Garnish: small tuft of floral cotton candy + edible flowers

  Start by making your cotton candy as per at-home cotton candy machine instructions. If you’re using violet hard candies, these are the ones I used, and I dropped six of them at a time into the machine (which makes about two small garnish-sized puffs of cotton candy). These can be made a day in advance and stored in an air-tight container.

  To make the cocktail: in a shaker over ice, combine all ingredients except garnish and shake until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass. Slide pre-made cotton candy onto a garnish pick, and balance on side of glass (wetting the rim of the glass helps adhere it). Sprinkle with edible flowers. Once served, you can either eat the cotton candy separately, or drop it in to your drink and let it dissolve.

There’s something pretty magical about making your own cotton candy and then pairing it with tasty Exotico Tequila Blanco. I really love floral, sweet flavors against the herbal, peppery tang of this bright tequila.

And as usual, I must extend my usual cautionary tale of minding your floral garnish around the chickens.

Cheers to Trick or Treat season and great tequila!

**This is a sponsored post in partnership with Exotico Tequila intended for a 21+ audience only.