⚡ 3 Things to Grill This Weekend That Aren't Burgers

The Margarita You Should Actually Be Making

If your margarita is overly-sweet, comes from a bottle or looks neon green, you’ve been drinking it wrong. A real margarita is three ingredients. No blender. No sugar rim. No regrets.

The recipe

Shake hard with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Why this version wins
Fresh lime juice is the difference between a cocktail and a headache. Bottled mix is loaded with sugar and artificial citrus that masks the tequila instead of working with it. The real version is tart, crisp, and balanced.

The upgrade
Rim the glass with Tajin instead of salt. The chili and lime add another layer without overpowering the drink. Once you try it, plain salt feels like a downgrade.

The Mettle Take
Three ingredients. No shortcuts. That’s a margarita worth drinking.

Not the drink they expect. The one they remember.

3 Things to Grill This Weekend That Aren’t Burgers

Burgers are easy, you already know how to make them. This weekend, put something on the grill that feels a little less predictable and impresses whoever you’re feeding.

Lamb Chops
Salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, olive oil. Grill over direct high heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let them rest 5 minutes. They cook fast and taste like you spent way more effort than you did. Internal temp: 135°F after resting.

Shrimp Skewers
Peel and devein a pound of large shrimp. Toss in olive oil, garlic, chili flake, salt, and lime juice. Thread onto skewers. Grill 2 minutes per side over high heat. Don’t overcook them. The second they turn pink and opaque, pull them.

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Grill whole ears of corn until charred, about 10 minutes, turning often. Brush with mayo, squeeze lime over the top, dust with chili powder and cotija cheese. This is the side dish that steals the entire meal.

The Mettle Take
The grill isn’t just for burgers. It’s for the guy who wants to eat better than everyone else at the cookout.

Because eating well is never just about the food.

When the Needle Hits the Groove
Guest Contributor: Brian Rossetti from Holt Hill Audio

When The Needle Hits the Groove!

We’re often asked, “Where should we commit the most money when purchasing a system?” That’s a tough question, but we almost always recommend focusing on the components that matter most: the speaker system and phono cartridge, especially if you’re driving hard in the LP/analog lane. Those are the two transducers that actually process and produce sound.

There are many different speaker types, brands, and considerations when choosing a system.

1. Smaller stand-mount or “bookshelf” speakers can be glorious in an average-sized room. Monitor speakers tend to image better and disappear into the soundscape, creating a wonderful listening experience.

2. Larger rooms need speakers that move more air. Cabinet volume, driver size, and multiple drivers can produce a bigger sound and fully load a larger space.

3. Speaker design matters. You’ll find two-way, three-way, acoustic suspension, transmission line, planar, electrostatic, and horn-loaded cabinets, which are having a moment right now.

The main objective is to demo as many types and brands as you can while minding your budget.

The same goes for phono cartridges. There are many varieties, and they need to fit your tonearm, whether low mass or high mass. Moving Magnet and Moving Coil are the most common, though Moving Iron, High Output MC, and Low Output MC options exist as well.

It’s a lot, but the most candid advice I can give is to visit a local shop, speak with the people there, and immerse yourself in listening sessions. It’s paramount to making smart purchases and building audio acumen.

Happy Listening,
Brian Rossetti
Holt Hill Audio