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My classic margarita recipe is simple and pure, with fresh lime balanced by crisp tequila and citrusy orange liqueur. Here’s how to make a basic margarita in 5 minutes with 3 ingredients!
When I say you’re going to love this margarita recipe, I’m pretty certain. I’ve made it so many times, my friends and family know to request “the” margarita! I discovered the classic formula for a margarita years ago, and it was like a lightbulb went off. The zingy flavor is pure and simple: nothing like those super-sweet versions you get at restaurants!
All you need is three ingredients for the best margarita recipe that comes out perfectly balanced: a mix of boozy, zingy, salty, and sweet. I’ve written over 30 margarita recipes, but I coming back to this classic formula every time. I love it so much, I even included it my latest cookbook!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It was perfect. So many recipes out there are too sweet. This is a homerun!” -Rachel
Margarita Ingredients
The margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time, likely invented in Mexico in the 1930’s. Margarita means “daisy” in Spanish, so it was probably a spin on the Brandy Daisy (a family of drinks with base liquor, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and soda water). Swap in tequila and lime, and you’ve got a margarita.
You can serve a margarita straight up, or on the rocks in a lowball glass (my favorite). The ingredients in this basic margarita recipe are:
- Tequila: A mid-price range tequila blanco is ideal, but you can also make the drink with tequila reposado for more nuanced, smooth flavor notes.
- Triple Sec or Cointreau: I like a margarita with Cointreau, which adds a sophisticated finish. You can also use Triple Sec: it’s a more budget-friendly orange liqueur with a straightforward flavor.
- Lime juice: Always use the juice of fresh limes: bottled just can’t compare to fresh citrus.
Many restaurants and bars like to add sweeteners to this drink, but the classic recipe utilizes only the sweetness of the orange liqueur. You are welcome to add sweetness to taste with simple syrup or agave syrup.
How to Make a Margarita: Step by Step
This classic margarita recipe is quick and easy: you can mix it up as a single drink, make 2 drinks at once, or make a margarita pitcher. Make sure to prepare the glass rim and garnishes before you start. Here’s how to make a single drink (or jump to the recipe):
Step 1: Add kosher salt to a plate in an even layer, then take a lime wedge and slide it around the rim of the glass. Dip the outside edge of the glass into the salt, rotating until it’s covered.
Step 2: Place 1 ½ oz tequila, 1 oz Cointreau and ¾ oz lime juice in a cocktail shaker and add 4 ice cubes. Shake it until the drink is cold (about 15 to 20 seconds).
Step 3: Strain into the glass. If serving the margarita on the rocks in a lowball or Old Fashioned glass, add clear ice. Serving straight up in a stemmed margarita glass works too.
Margarita Rim Ideas
A salt rim enhances the margarita’s sweet and sour flavors. You can use simple kosher salt or step it up with this colorful margarita salt with lime and orange zest.
Or, try a Tajín rim: it’s a Mexican seasoning blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt that adds a burst of tangy, spicy flavor.
Best Tequila for Margaritas
While some experts say tequila blanco (unaged) is best for margaritas, I also like it with tequila reposado (aged tequila) to add a depth of flavor to this drink. Here are a few tips for finding the best tequila for margaritas:
- Any mid-priced tequila tastes great in a margarita. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35.
- Tequila blanco is ideal. It has a straightforward agave-centric flavor and spicy finish. Brands I like are Espolon Blanco, El Tesoro Blanco, Patrón Silver, and Casamigos.
- Tequila reposado (aged) makes a sophisticated margarita. It has a smooth flavor with notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Brands I like are Casamigos, Milagro Reposado, and Suerte Reposado.
Tip: Try my Casamigos Margarita or Patron Margarita, each with different types of tequila!
Tips for a Margarita on The Rocks
The best way I’ve found to make a margarita on the rocks is to use clear ice: artisanal ice that is crystal clear and can be cut into beautiful organic shapes.
It’s a great way to take a cocktail from good to glamorous! You can make your own clear ice at home using a small cooler or clear ice tray. Go to How to Make Clear Ice.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
While margaritas are best enjoyed immediately, you can prepare some components in advance. I often juice limes up to 24 hours ahead and store the juice in the refrigerator. You can also rim the glasses in advance: just store them in a dry place where they keep for a few days.
For parties, I make my margarita pitcher without the tequila 1 day ahead, then add the tequila and ice just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
🍹 A popular story suggests that the margarita was invented in 1938 by bartender Carlos “Danny” Herrera, head of the restaurant Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana. He claimed he invented the recipe for a customer who wanted a cocktail, but was allergic to all alcohol except tequila.
But a more likely origin could be this story in a 1939 Albuquerque Journal. It suggests an Irish bartender named Madden in Tijuana may have invented the drink as a riff on the brandy Daisy. He accidentally used tequila and created an entirely different drink!
A common starting point is the 3:2:1 ratio – 1.5 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, and ½ oz lime juice. Feel free to adjust these proportions based on your taste preference.
Pre-made sour mix often contains artificial ingredients and added sugar. Fresh lime juice provides the best flavor for a classic margarita. Or, a our homemade sweet and sour mix.
Adjust the sweetness with agave nectar or simple syrup, and the tartness with fresh lime juice. Start with a small amount of sweetener and add more to taste.
Infuse your tequila: Let fruits, herbs, or spices infuse your tequila for a unique twist.
Get creative with fruits: Muddle fresh fruits like strawberries, mangoes, or peaches for a fruity twist.
Spicy kick: Add a jalapeno slice or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy margarita.
You can pre-squeeze lime juice and prepare the simple syrup in advance. However, assemble and serve right before drinking for the freshest flavors.
Best Classic Margarita Recipe
Here’s how to make the classic margarita recipe! It’s easy with just 3 ingredients: tequila, lime, and orange liqueur.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktail
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces tequila blanco or reposado*
- 1 ounce Cointreau or Triple Sec
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- Kosher salt or flaky sea salt, for the rim
- Lime wedge, for the garnish
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
- Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
- For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses.
Notes
- For a spicy variation, add 3 to 4 jalapeno pepper slices to the cocktail shaker, or go to Jalapeno Margarita.
- For a smoky variation, replace half the tequila with Mezcal, or go to Mezcal Margarita.
- For a frozen variation, go to Frozen Margarita.
- For a virgin variation, go to Virgin Margarita.
- For fruity variations, go to Pineapple Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Mango Margarita, or these 25 Margarita Recipes.
- For a sweeter margarita, you are welcome to add sweetness to taste with simple syrup or agave syrup.
I plan to try your margarita recipe but question…no sweetener? Won’t it be too tart?
It’s perfectly balanced with the sweet cointreau!
Very strong, but great! I made 3 double batches. Making the drinks was very fast and easy. I juiced 9 limes and had just enough juice for 3 batches.
It was perfect. So many recipes out there are too sweet. This is a homerun!
Excellent, I have never tasted tequila before in my life. I found your recipes very simple and easy to follow. I will make sure to carry a bottle of tequila while going back to India.
love this with Cointreau or even Triple Sec, I’ve only ever used some kind of margarita mix! thank you
Can I use any type of tequila for a margarita?