Margarita lovers who fancy themselves connoisseurs of the classic cocktail might be ready for a tasty upgrade: the Cadillac margarita. A classic margarita is made with young silver (blanco) tequila and Triple Sec orange liqueur, but for the Cadillac of margaritas, only premium spirits will do!
What is a Cadillac margarita?
Simply put, the spirits in a Cadillac margarita have all been upgraded. You’ll need reposado tequila, which is aged in oak whiskey barrels for anywhere from 2 to 12 months. The orange liqueur is swapped out, too, for Grand Marnier, a decadent cognac flavored with bitter orange. The result is a margarita with a deep, beautiful flavor with hints of caramel and vanilla. It’s like no margarita you’ve had before.
Find more ways to upgrade a traditional margarita.
Cadillac Margarita Ingredients
- Tequila: Choose only the best tequila for this cocktail. Look for aged reposado tequila. We recommend Espolón, which is aged in new oak barrels, or long-aged Clase Azul.
- Grand Marnier: Most margarita recipes use a type of orange liquor like Triple Sec or Cointreau, but Grand Marnier is saved for upscale cocktails. Buy it from the store, or make Grand Marnier at home.
- Citrus juice: Squeeze the lemon and lime juice fresh for the best flavor and aroma.
- Superfine sugar: This type of sugar dissolves more easily in no-cook recipes, like cocktails. No one enjoys sipping on a smooth cocktail and suddenly getting a crunch of a hard granulated sugar crystal.
Directions
Step 1: Create the base
In your favorite pitcher, combine the tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, lemon juice and superfine sugar. Stir everything together until the superfine sugar is dissolved.
Step 2: Prepare the glasses
Take out four cocktail glasses. Moisten the rims of the glasses with the four lime wedges. Sprinkle the salt on a plate, and dip the rims in the salt. Finally, fill the glasses with the ice.
Editor’s Tip: You can salt either half of the rim or the full rim—it’s up to you and your guests’ preferences!
Step 3: Pour and serve
Pour the Cadillac margarita evenly into the four glasses.
Editor’s Tip: We like to finish the drinks with fresh citrus wedges or dehydrated citrus wheels.
Recipe Variations
- Make a frozen margarita: Prefer a blended marg over one on the rocks? We got you! In a blender, combine the tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar and 2 cups ice. Cover and process until smooth.
- Use different citrus juices: Instead of lemon or lime juice, use fresh orange or blood orange juice instead. The oranges pair well with the Grand Marnier, and we love their gorgeous hues!
- Line with a Tajin rim: Are you a spicy margarita lover? Switch out the salt rim for a Tajin rim. Tajin is a Mexican seasoning that contains dried red chiles, sea salt and dehydrated limes.
Can I make a Cadillac margarita ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these margaritas ahead of time. Complete Step 1, then cover the pitcher with storage wrap, and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to serve, prepare the glasses as directed, give the Cadillac margarita mixture a few quick stirs, and pour into the glasses.
Cadillac Margarita Tips
What type of glass do I serve a Cadillac margarita in?
The best type of cocktail glass for any margarita recipe is a classic margarita glass. If you don’t have the restaurant-style, tall-stemmed margarita glasses, use another wide-rimmed glass instead. Rocks glasses and short tumblers work well as they have rims wide enough for salting.
How do I make a single serving of a Cadillac margarita?
Our recipe makes four servings, but it can easily be scaled back to make just one Cadillac margarita. Moisten the rim of one margarita or cocktail glass with one lime wedge. Sprinkle the salt on a plate, and dip the rim in the salt. Fill the glass with ice.
In a cocktail shaker filled three-quarters full of ice, pour in 2 tablespoons tequila, 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 3/4 teaspoon superfine sugar. Pop the cocktail shaker lid back on, and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker and the superfine sugar has dissolved, about 30 seconds. Strain the Cadillac margarita over the ice in the prepared glass, and serve.
