Classic Margarita

A truly perfect margarita can be hard to come by. Palates and preferences may vary, but the ideal marg always nails a beautiful harmony of salty, sweet and sour with blanco tequila, Triple Sec, freshly squeezed lime juice and, oftentimes, a salt rim. It’s neither too sweet nor watered down, and—we hope!—it’s made without a mix. Since I’m always in the mood for a killer cocktail, I figured it was about time to master a classic margarita recipe. And with a few of our best tips and tricks, you can too!

After you gather the ingredients, grab a few bar tools that will help you make the best margaritas. A good cocktail shaker and a cocktail measuring cup are great basics for any bar. A lime juicer is very helpful, especially if you’re making a big batch. And, of course, some fun margarita glasses will be the perfect finishing touch.

Margarita Ingredients

• Tequila: The go-to for margaritas is blanco tequila, which is an unaged, clear tequila. These types of tequilas have not been aged for a prolonged period of time, so they’re clear, crisp and perfect for mixing. No matter what brand you choose, make sure it’s 100% de agave or puro de agave. One of our favorite tequilas for margaritas is Espolon Blanco Tequila. Some other crowd-pleasers are Casamigos Blanco and Patron Silver.
• Triple Sec: “Triple Sec” is the generic name for orange liqueur. There are many affordable orange liqueur brands that are labeled “Triple Sec,” and they all work perfectly fine for margaritas.
• Lime juice: There is nothing like freshly squeezed lime juice in a margarita. It makes all the difference in the world when compared to bottled lime juice. After you squeeze the lime juice from the wedges, you can use the wedges to moisten the glass rim for the salt.
• Salt: A perfect margarita has a salted rim, but this is an element you can skip if you don’t have salt, or if you prefer your cocktail without any textural distractions.

Directions

Step 1: Salt the rim

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Get a shallow bowl that is slightly larger than your glass, and sprinkle a thick layer of salt on it. Cut a notch in the middle of one of your lime wedges, so it can fit around the rim of your glass. Run the lime all the way around the rim of the glass, then dip the rim in salt. Fill your glass with ice.

Editor’s Tip: If you have time, chill your glass in the freezer before starting this recipe. When you salt the rim, you can do just half of the rim, which looks elegant and is great for folks who want some sips without the salty edge. If you really love that salty edge, feel free to make a pretty thick salt rim, about 1/2-inch deep. The most important part of the salt rim is to make sure your glass is wet enough for the salt to stick! If you run out of lime, use water.

Step 2: Shake it up

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Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice. Cover well, and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds, until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.

Step 3: Strain and enjoy!

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Strain the margarita directly into your prepared margarita glass. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

Editor’s Tip: If you take your first sip and your mouth puckers, feel free to drizzle in a bit of agave or simple syrup to counteract the sour with a little sweet.

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Margarita Recipe Variations

Remember that the basic ratio for a good margarita is as simple as 3, 2, 1: three parts tequila, two parts orange liqueur, one part lime. Your drink can be served up (shaken with ice then strained), on the rocks (poured over ice) or frozen (blended with ice). With that in mind, there are so many ways you can upgrade your margarita recipe:

• Try it with mezcal: A mezcal margarita is a very different experience but just as delightful. Mezcal is an Oaxacan spirit. Like tequila, mezcal is made from the agave plant, only mezcal has a smokier profile. It makes a lovely margarita with a unique, complex flavor.
• Add fruit for a flavored margarita: This is a classic way to personalize your margarita. Add fresh berries, either muddled into a drink on the rocks or blended in a frozen margarita. There are truly so many options, but some of our favorites include a strawberry margarita, a mango margarita, a  blueberry margarita and a raspberry margarita.
• Try a different orange liqueur: Besides Triple Sec, Cointreau is a classic choice for margaritas. However, there are many types of orange liqueur out there that would be just as delicious, such as Grand Marnier or Curacao, which will change the flavor (and color) slightly. If you don’t have any of these on hand, you can still make a delicious cocktail using some type of simple syrup or sweetener in lieu of it.
• Upgrade to a Cadillac margarita: A Cadillac margarita uses reposado tequila instead of blanco, and Grand Marnier instead of Triple Sec. The result is a margarita with a golden color and a bit more depth of flavor.
• Make it spicy: I love a spicy margarita. You can make one at home by either muddling jalapeno slices into the margarita or infusing the tequila with jalapeno for some built-in kick.
• Spice up your salt rim: Add lime zest and a pinch of cayenne to the salt before you dip the rims. You can also add a bit of sugar to the mix.

Margarita Tips

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What kind of tequila should you use for margaritas?

Generally, the best tequila for margaritas is a silver or blanco. Reposado tequila, on the other hand, is blanco tequila that has been aged in wooden barrels for up to one year. It takes on the flavor of the barrels and may develop a darker, honey-like color. It’s best to use reposado tequila in heavier cocktails that have extra spice or need a bold flavor, but you can use it in margaritas if you’d like. No matter what kind of tequila you use, check that it’s 100% agave.

Can you use bottled lime juice to make margaritas?

You can use bottled lime juice to make margaritas, but fresh limes are essential for a truly great margarita. They’re easy to squeeze with the citrus juicer, and you’ll be glad you made the extra effort since they make the drink so fresh and flavorful.

Can you use a margarita mix?

Yes, you can use a margarita mix when you’re looking for something even simpler. Just add tequila, and you’re ready to roll. Try one of the brands that our Test Kitchen culinary pros tested and deemed the best margarita mixes.

Can you make a pitcher of margaritas from this recipe?

Yes, this margarita is prime for making a pitcher! Since they’re so easy to batch up, margaritas are great for small gatherings or not-so-small parties. Dust off your pitcher, and check out how to make a pitcher of margaritas.