Margarita

The Margarita is a classic cocktail made from tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice. You can use your favorite orange liqueur such as Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier, and serve it on the rocks or without ice. 

Today I’m sharing the classic version of this drink, but you can try our strawberry frozen margarita recipe too!

Margarita Recipe

I’m going to show you how to make a classic Margarita without using a bottled margarita mix. If you’ve ever ordered one of these tasty cocktails from an authentic Mexican restaurant, it’s likely that it came from a cocktail shaker, not a bottle. I highly recommend making this drink from scratch, and don’t forget the salt rim!

Whether you want to celebrate National Margarita Day, Cinco de Mayo, or just summertime, mixing up the perfect Margarita is the way to go. You can up the measurements in this recipe and make a large pitcher if you like! Great for backyard parties. 

Ingredients you will need

• Tequila is the main alcohol in this drink. I recommend silver tequila, but you can use whatever you like.  
• You will need an orange liqueur such as Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is more amber in color and I think it looks the prettiest. 
• Limes are an important element in a properly mixed margarita. I suggest squeezing the juice yourself. You’re going to need lime wheels for garnish anyway, so no sense wasting the rest! If you do happen to use bottled juice, make sure it doesn’t have any added sugar.
• Coarse sea salt is used to decorate the rim of the glass, a must with this particular cocktail.
• I don’t use simple syrup for my own drink, but if you like it a little sweeter you certainly can! I have included that in the recipe below.

Things to note

• Lime juice that comes in a bottle will likely have sulfites. Sulfites are used as a preservative, but can cause headaches for some people. There are those that have an allergy to sulfites too, so be sure to check with your guests, or use real limes.
• I have an electric juicer, but I usually don’t use it for limes. Yes it gets ALL the juice out, but limes are finicky and you just want the juice, not the bitter taste from the pith. Use a handheld juicer or just squeeze it in your hand.
• You can make this margarita on the rocks or not. The cocktail will be nice and chilled from the cocktail shaker. You can even freeze your glasses to help keep the drinks cold. 
• Margaritas can be served in rock glasses or highball glasses too, so don’t feel like you have to run out and buy special glasses.
• It doesn’t have to be a holiday to enjoy a margarita. Cinco de Mayo is every year on May 5th, and National Margarita Day is celebrated on February 22nd. Summer is usually 3 months long. Taco Tuesday is on, well, Tuesday. Just sayin’.

Helpful kitchen tools:

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Margarita glasses
• Small plate
• Paring knife
• Cutting board
• Handheld juicer

How to make a Margarita

1. Cut a lime wheel from the center of the lime and reserve for garnish. Squeeze the juice from the two ends.

2. Add a layer of sea salt to a small plate.

3. Use the squeezed end of a lime to rub the entire rim of the glass. The squeezed end should still have enough moisture left in it to do this.

4. Gently dip the rim of the glass into the salt to coat.
5. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

6. Add tequila and orange liqueur (and simple syrup if using) and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.

7. Strain tequila mixture over ice (if desired) and garnish with lime wheel.

I hope you enjoy it, responsibly of course! Remember, the best margarita recipe is one that’s made from scratch!

More cocktails you might enjoy:

While I have tested lots of cocktail recipes for you, here are a few that will help you use up that bottle of tequila. 

• The Tequila Sunrise is a gorgeous drink made with orange juice and grenadine syrup.
• If you want something fruity, be sure to try my Mango Margarita Slush.
• And of course, my frozen Strawberry Margarita and Sex on the Beach are both must tries this summer!

Margarita

The Margarita is a classic cocktail made from tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Serve it on the rocks or without ice. 

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Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 1 cocktail

4 minutes mins

Calories: 387

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 2.5 ounces tequila
• ▢ 2 ounces orange liqueur Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier
• ▢ 1.5 ounces fresh lime juice about 1.5 limes
• ▢ .5 ounce simple syrup optional
• ▢ Coarse sea salt
• ▢ Lime wheel

Before You Begin

• Lime juice that comes in a bottle will likely have sulfites. Sulfites are used as a preservative, but can cause headaches for some people. There are those that have an allergy to sulfites too, so be sure to check with your guests, or use real limes.
• Also, please note that the simply syrup is OPTIONAL and therefore is not included in the calorie count and nutritional info. I do use it in my own margaritas!
• If you prefer, you can substitute 2 ounces of sweet and sour mix for the lime juice and simple syrup.

Instructions

• Cut a lime wheel from the center of the lime and reserve for garnish. Squeeze the juice from the two ends. You may need an additional lime half, depending on the size of your limes.
• Add a layer of sea salt to a small plate.
• Use the squeezed end of a lime to rub the entire rim of the glass. The squeezed end should still have enough moisture left in it to do this.
• Gently dip the rim of the glass into the salt to coat.
• Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
• Add tequila and orange liqueur (and simple syrup if using) and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
• Strain tequila mixture over ice and garnish with lime wheel.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 387cal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 50mg | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin C: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

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