Browse our margarita guide for everything you need to know about America's most popular cocktail.
The Ultimate Guide to Margaritas
Updated on Jun. 10, 2024
No matter the time of year, margaritas are a go-to cocktail. Bright, refreshing and so easy to make, it’s no wonder this cocktail is often ordered by the pitcher. To make things easier for your next backyard party, girls-night-in or Mexican dinner, we gathered all of our intel into this handy margarita guide. Here you’ll find essential background information, ingredients, tools, recipes and so much more.
Make yourself a quick lime margarita and get reading!
What Is a Margarita?
The margarita is a cocktail that’s a combination of tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice. A margarita can be enjoyed on the rocks or blended, with a salted, sugared or plain rim and is usually served with a slice of lime.
The International Bartenders Association (IBA) designates the margarita a “contemporary classic” and it’s regularly ranked among the top-selling cocktails in the world.
History of Margaritas
Like most cocktails, the history behind the margarita is muddled. The two most persistent inventors, according to Smithsonian Magazine, are Carlos “Danny” Herrera and Margarita Sames. Herrera is said to have mixed the first margarita for a picky patron at the Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico sometime around 1938. The competing legend is that Sames, a Dallas socialite, made the cocktail while vacationing in Acapulco a decade later.
Despite these claims to fame, the more likely explanation is that the margarita was created as a variation of the daisy. A daisy cocktail contains the spirit of your choice, citrus juice, orange liqueur and is topped with soda water.
So, it wouldn’t be surprising for bartenders to make omissions or substitutions according to the ingredients they had on hand. As Mia Mastroianni tells Liquor.com, “such a simple cocktail could have happened in nine different places throughout the country where people said, ‘Oh, I can try it this way without the soda water,’ and it evolved into tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime. That’s your classic Margarita.” Not to mention, margarita means “daisy flower” in Spanish.
What Do You Put in a Margarita?
Despite its murky beginnings, the ingredients of a margarita are definite: 100% agave tequila, orange liqueur and freshly-squeezed lime juice. Our classic margarita is made with a 3-2-1 proportion, meaning a single serving contains 1-1/2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Triple Sec and 1/2 an ounce of lime juice.
Basic Margarita Ingredients
Tequila
For the best-tasting margarita, we suggest using high-quality Blanco tequila. Blanco tequila is unaged and has a bright taste, which results in a refreshing cocktail. If you prefer a more mellow beverage, though, reposado tequila is also a solid choice. Here’s more on the different types of tequila.
Since tequila is the dominant flavor in a margarita, going with a brand you like is very important. Those who are new to tequila, or haven’t branched out from their usual brand, can ask their bartender for tequila suggestions, or check out our picks for the best tequilas for making margaritas.
Orange Liqueur
There are many orange liqueurs and each one will bring something different to a margarita. Curaçao, which is made with laraha oranges and beet alcohol, is the most affordable and sweetest choice. The French brand, Cointreau, has a balanced sweet-and-bitter orange for a more complex margarita. Cognac-based Grand Marnier has notes of vanilla and oak, in addition to orange. And then there’s triple sec, which varies widely in price, flavor and sweetness.
When choosing an orange liqueur, keep in mind that it’s used in a ton of other classic cocktails, like the cosmo, sidecar and Long Island iced tea. So, it’s worth spending a couple of extra dollars for a bottle that you truly enjoy.
Lime
Freshly-squeezed lime juice is the only kind of lime juice that belongs in a margarita. Despite its ease, bottled lime juice will make your cocktail taste bitter and artificial, which is something you definitely don’t want.
Get every drop of juice out of your lime by rolling it firmly along your counter a few times. Cut the lime in half and use a citrus reamer or your hand to squeeze out the juice.
Tools for Making Margaritas
Since margaritas are a fairly straightforward cocktail, they don’t require a ton of gadgets. These are the basics you’ll need to mix a marg:
- Cocktail Shaker Bar Set: Measure the 3-2-1 proportions exactly with the jigger and then perfectly chill your cocktail with this shaker set. The stainless steel set is easy to clean and will look sleek on your home bar.
- Vitamix Blender: If blended margaritas are your favorite, you have to get this Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender. The powerful motor and aircraft-grade blades easily pulverize ice and frozen fruit for an ultra-smooth cocktail.
- Blue Rocco Margarita Glasses: There’s no better vessel for a marg than a classic margarita glass. This gorgeous set is handmade in Mexico and dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up a breeze. Not your style? Take a look at these other margarita glasses you’ll want to get your hands on.
Go beyond the basics with these other margarita tools, like cocktail picks, a salt set and more.
How To Make a Margarita
Margarita on the Rocks
To make a margarita on the rocks, simply combine 1-1/2 ounces of Blanco tequila, 1-ounce orange liqueur and 1/2 an ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice in a cocktail shaker or cocktail glass, then fill it three-fourths of the way with ice. Shake or stir the cocktail until the outside of the shaker or glass has frosted, about 20 seconds.
Rub a slice of lime around the rim of your margarita glass, then roll the rim in a plate of salt until it’s coated in salt. Drop a few fresh ice cubes into the prepared glass, and then pour your chilled margarita into it. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Blended Margarita
A blended, or frozen margarita starts off by adding 3/4 cup of tequila, 1/2 cup of orange liqueur, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice and 4-6 cups of ice to a blender. If you like a sweeter margarita, you can also add 2 tablespoons of simple syrup. Blend the ingredients until the ice is crushed and the cocktail is smooth.
Salt the rims of four margarita glasses and divide the blended cocktail evenly between them.
Pitcher of Margaritas
A pitcher of margaritas is perfect for a party or poolside hangout. For eight servings, add 1 1/2 cups of tequila, 1 cup of orange liqueur and 1/2 cup of lime juice to a large pitcher. Drop-in a few handfuls of ice, then stir the pitcher until the cocktail has chilled.
Salt the rims of your desired number of glasses and allow your guests to serve themselves. Learn how to make a pitcher of margaritas for up to 12 here.
Flavored Margaritas
As you’ve probably experienced, there are a ton of fruits, veggies and herbs that can be added to a margarita. While the most popular flavors are mango margarita, strawberry margarita and cherry margarita, you’re definitely not limited to those fruits. These are some of our favorite flavored margarita recipes:
Classic Lime MargaritaOur margarita recipe and easy-to-follow guide will have you juicing limes and shaking up drinks like a pro!
A classic margarita recipe doesn't need anything other than tequila, Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. This recipe calls for blanco tequila, which is the best tequila for margaritas, according to our Test Kitchen.
Cadillac MargaritaYou'll need all top-shelf spirits to make this Cadillac margarita. It's a swanky upgrade to the classic drink!
While classic margaritas are made with silver (blanco) tequila and triple sec, this swanky upgrade calls for reposado tequila and Grand Marnier. Reposado tequila is aged in oak whiskey barrels for up to 12 months, and Grand Marnier is a more sophisticated orange-flavored liqueur than triple sec.
Prickly Pear MargaritaThis prickly pear margarita has a stunning pink hue and mild fruity flavor. Serve it by the glass or in a pitcher at your next party and everyone will be asking for the secret ingredient.
With a pretty pink hue and mild sweet taste, prickly pear is one of the best margarita flavors you probably haven't tried yet. If you're serving a crowd, mix everything together in a drink pitcher and keep it in the refrigerator until it's time to add ice and serve.
Pineapple MargaritaIn this tiki-inspired riff on the margarita, pineapple juice and amaretto complement the lime and tequila. Here's how to make a pineapple margarita.
Sweet and tangy pineapple is an MVP ingredient in tiki cocktails and also in this flavored margarita recipe, which looks gorgeous served in a highball or martini glass. To go full tiki, add a half ounce of spiced or dark rum.
Spicy MargaritaGive the classic margarita a kick of heat with this spicy margarita recipe. All the usual suspects are here, including tequila, lime and Triple Sec. But throw in a bit of jalapeno and you'll be cooking with some spice!
The heat from muddled jalapeno adds just the right amount of spiciness to this refreshing cocktail. Instead of salt, we like to rim the cocktail glasses of these fiery margs with Tajin, a tart and slightly spicy Mexican seasoning mix made with dried ground chiles.
Frozen MargaritasWant to learn how to make frozen margaritas at home? Well, you're in the right place.
Different occasions call for different margaritas, and there's nothing like sipping on a sweet-tart frozen marg at a backyard cookout or summer pool party. These are the best blenders we've tested for making frozen cocktails.
Blood Orange MargaritaThis visually stunning blood orange margarita lets you take advantage of winter's citrus season in one delicious cocktail.
For a bold red color and sweet citrus flavor, this blood orange cocktail is hard to beat. Blood oranges are less acidic than navel oranges, so they complement tangy lime juice perfectly.
Mezcal MargaritaIf you've never tried a mezcal margarita, you'll want to give it a shot (pun intended)! This fun twist replaces tequila with the smoky flavors of mezcal while still keeping that sweet and citrusy flavor from lime juice, simple syrup and triple sec. This version may just beat out the classic! —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Smoky and rich mezcal is an agave-based Mexican spirit and one of the essential ingredients for a good margarita (tequila is actually a type of mezcal!). Some of the best margarita flavors are spicy, so infuse your mezcal with some heat by adding sliced jalapeno and letting it sit for about 15 minutes, then strain to remove the jalapeno.
Cranberry MargaritaWhen you want the flavors of a margarita but it's snowing outside, whip up a cranberry margarita. It's everything you love about the classic cocktail with a wintry spin.
As far as fun margarita recipes go, this warming and ruby red cocktail is our favorite choice for holiday parties. Fresh sage and cranberries make an elegant garnish, or go with a sprig of fragrant rosemary.
Peach MargaritaIs there a peach or two turning from ripe to overripe on your counter? Turn that fruit into a juicy peach margarita.
These peachy margaritas go wonderfully with fresh basil or mint; just add the leaves to the shaker while muddling the peach. To make a blended version, use frozen peaches (and a few berries, if you'd like).
Pomegranate MargaritaIn cold weather months, a pomegranate margarita is the perfect drink. It brings tropical flavors to a classic cocktail—and best of all, it's easy to make.
Not only is pomegranate juice loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, but it also makes delicately tart cocktails. Add some extra zing by grating ginger into your shaker before shaking up the margarita.
Skinny MargaritaThis skinny margarita has plenty of fresh flavors with fewer calories. The lighter version of this classic cocktail skips the sugar and instead focuses on natural ingredients like lime and orange juice for its sweet taste. —Debbie Koenig, New York, New York
This lightened-up margarita recipe has less sugar than the classic version because it calls for freshly squeezed orange juice instead of triple sec and a teaspoon of agave nectar as the sweetener. Use any type of juice in place of the orange juice; mango, passion fruit and pineapple work really well.
Virgin MargaritaYou don't need store-bought limeade, zero-proof alcohol or any fancy ingredients to create this refreshing summer sipper. All you need is fresh citrus, sugar and a splash of club soda. It really is that easy to learn how to make a virgin margarita!
Nondrinkers shouldn't have to miss out on the fun of a margarita. The key to this virgin margarita is freshly squeezed lime and lemon. Check out these tasty mocktail recipes for more nonalcoholic drink inspiration.
Beer MargaritaA beer margarita gives you the casual ease of a beer with the citrusy pop of a margarita. Cheers!
Adding beer to your margaritas may sound unusual, but we promise the two drinks are a match made in cocktail heaven. Pick up sweet and sour mix at the grocery store or make your own sour mix at home. We recommend opting for a light beer that won't overpower the lime flavors, like Modelo, Bud Light or Corona.
Frozen Sriracha-Mango MargaritaSoothe a sweltering summer day with our refreshing mango margarita recipe. Your choice if you want it served frozen or on the rocks!
Loaded with mango nectar and mango chunks, this frozen margarita is tropical and refreshing. The sweetness of the fruit helps offset the spiciness of the Sriracha, giving this mango margarita a unique and fun twist.
Frozen Strawberry-Basil MargaritaA strawberry margarita is made just like a classic margarita, but the strawberries take it to the most delicious next level.
Fresh, fruity and cool, this strawberry-basil margarita may be the perfect summer cocktail. To make them a little sweeter, add simple syrup, honey or agave syrup to the blender.
Blue Curacao MargaritaWhy stop at a typical margarita? Like crystal clear tropical water, a blue margarita catches the eye and feels refreshing as you plunge in.
This margarita uses Blue Curacao instead of Triple Sec for a fun spin on a classic cocktail. The vibrant blue drink will make you think you're on the shores of a Caribbean island.
For more tropical cocktails, check out these Tiki drink recipes!
Frozen Ginger-Raspberry MargaritaTurn your regular marg night into a frozen raspberry margarita night. Rim the glasses with sugar, and top them with fresh berries, lime wedges and candied ginger.
Ginger and lime are a classic cocktail flavor combination, and we added raspberry for a surprising fruity twist. This cocktail is perfect for spring or summer parties.
Watermelon MargaritaUpgrade a classic lime margarita with this watermelon margarita recipe. The pretty, pink drink uses a sugared rim and blended watermelon to give the drink a sweet twist.
This frozen watermelon margarita is the perfect drink to serve at backyard summer barbecues. As you're preparing it, use these tricks for how to cut a watermelon. And remember: When making frozen margaritas, you generally want to add less juice and more fruit or ice.
Frozen Coconut MargaritaLoaded with tropical flavor, the coconut margarita is a simple way to bring vacation vibes to any celebration without having to pack your suitcase.
Take your cocktail to the tropics with this refreshing coconut margarita. It's a smooth, tangy treat made with cream of coconut as well as lime.
Love coconut? Try these pina colada-inspired recipes!
Apple Cider MargaritaThis apple cider margarita captures the flavor of fall with an easy-to-make cider syrup.
Apple cider isn't just for swizzling with a cinnamon stick! This autumnal cocktail gets its warm spice notes from a simple apple cider syrup, made by simmering cider until it reduces. Cinnamon sugar-lined rims add a lovely festive touch.
Frozen Cherry MargaritaCelebrate peak cherry season with this flavorful and juicy cherry margarita.
With cherry juice and frozen pitted cherries, this margarita recipe is packed with sweet, tart flavors.
Grapefruit MargaritaThis grapefruit margarita will be the pretty aperitif you want to serve up all summer long. It looks like a sunset and tastes like a refreshing citrus blend of classic margarita and paloma, all wrapped into one gorgeous drink.
If you take our classic margarita recipe and swap the lime juice for an ounce of grapefruit juice, you've got yourself a grapefruit margarita! Add a drizzle of grenadine to create a beautiful sunset look.
Frozen Lemon-Berry MargaritaI like to cool down with this absolutely fantastic frozen margarita recipe. It's slightly icy, thick and perfect for when you need a break. —Julie Hieggelke, Grayslake, Illinois
Made with berries and lemonade concentrate, this frozen margarita recipe is a cool summer treat. Since the tequila is optional and there's no Triple Sec, it can be a family-friendly beverage, too!
Amaretto MargaritaThis Italian margarita recipe is a fun twist on everyone's favorite tequila-based cocktail.
This amaretto margarita adds a touch of Italian flair to the classic lime beverage. If you enjoy the taste of amaretto, try these other amaretto cocktails.
Frozen Blueberry-Mint MargaritaOur blueberry margarita utilizes frozen fruit, fresh herbs and a splash of lime to make one dreamy, vibrant cocktail.
This frozen blueberry-mint margarita is super easy to make—just add a cup of frozen blueberries and four fresh mint leaves to a classic lime margarita recipe and blend.
Kumquat MargaritaThese golden margaritas bring a bit of sunshine to a winter table. Eye-catching kumquats are the secret ingredient. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
If you're looking for a unique margarita, then look no further than this kumquat margarita recipe. Kumquats are in season during the winter months, so use this drink to bring a bit of sunshine to a winter gathering.
Tips for Making Margaritas
How Do I Upgrade a Margarita?
Other than adding fruits and other flavors, some of our favorite ways to transform a margarita are to infuse the tequila, adding a splash of chili liqueur for some heat or mixing a Cerveza margarita. Take a look at this list of margarita variations for even more ways to take a marg to the next level.
How Do You Sweeten a Margarita?
For those who prefer a margarita on the sweeter side, add half a tablespoon of simple syrup, agave nectar or honey to the cocktail before chilling it. If you’re adding fruit to your margarita, you likely won’t have to add any additional sweetener.
How Do You Smooth Frozen Margaritas?
When it comes to frozen margaritas, having a good blender is really important. If you find you keep getting ice chunks whenever blending a margarita, there are two main things you can do. The first is to start off with crushed ice, instead of ice cubes. This will make it a bit easier on your blender.
The second is to use frozen chunks of fruit instead of ice cubes. Frozen fruit, especially if the pieces are small, are softer and more easily pulverized than big pieces of ice.
Which Margarita Mix Is the Best?
Since margaritas are so easy to whip up, we recommend making them from scratch instead of using a mix. If you do choose to go with a mix, Taste of Home writer and blogger behind LePage Food & Drink, Risa Lichtman, has two margarita mix recommendations. Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix is made with water, lime juice, agave nectar and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) as a preservative, and straddles the line between sweet and sour well. And Stirrings Margarita Mixer is another option, which is made with water, key lime juice, cane sugar, citric acid, natural flavors and Triple Sec flavors.
With either of these mixers, we’d suggest combining 1 ½ ounce of tequila and 1 ½ ounce of mix in a margarita glass filled with ice.
Now that you know everything about margaritas, learn how to make a Paloma cocktail.
