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This Citrus Press Makes Homemade Margaritas So Much Better

Food editors can’t live without it

Heath Goldman
The difference between a bad margarita and a mind-blowing one is fresh juice. And to get it, you need a really good juicer. There are two types: reamers and presses. Reamers look like ribbed domes. Some are handheld, some sit on the tabletop, and some are electric and spin when you press down with a halved piece of citrus. Non-electric reamers can be a workout (in a bad way), while electric ones do the job more quickly but take up an indecent amount of counter space. Citrus presses on the other hand, enclose the halved citrus, squeezing it from the top and bottom. And while most presses will wear your arm out just as quickly as a reamer will, we found one that squeezed out the competition.  Enter the Chef’n Fresh Force Citrus Juicer. It comes in green for limes, yellow for lemons, and orange for oranges, although their design is the same and they’re interchangeable.  It’s a magical tool that our entire test kitchen and other chef friends swear by. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
What sets the Fresh Force juicer apart is a special double gear in its hinge. When you press down on the lime, the hinge multiplies your force. Minimal effort yields lots of juice very quickly. The company claims it produces 20% more juice than conventional hand-held juicers, and from our experience, that sounds about right. It’s like driving a sports car: fast and comfortable. Your arm never gets tired and neither does your hand, thanks to rounded, balanced handles. Not only is it ergonomic, but it’s also compact and durable, made from highly durable nylon and stainless steel, so it’ll last you a long time. You can fit it in pretty much any drawer (we’ve even been known to carry it around in our knife rolls). Cheaper than an electric juicer at a fraction of the prize and the size, the Fresh Force is one of those rare single use products that we can vouch for. So pick up a bag limes, ready your tequila, and get squeezing. Our recipe for the Sunset Margarita is a great place to start.