The BEST Margarita Recipe

My go-to Margarita Recipe calls for only three simple ingredients. You can create a margarita for one or whip up a pitcherful for a party.

Who here enjoys a refreshing margarita?

I will always and forever have a special place in my heart for this renowned blend of sweet. Sour, and salty flavors. I like a good margarita whether it’s frozen or on the rocks. Made with tequila or mezcal, filled with fruit or spice or carbonation or cream.

A true margarita is a powerful, tart drink created with only three ingredients: premium tequila. Orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice, in contrast to the watered-down, super-sweet. And occasionally effervescent versions commonly offered at restaurants across the globe today. This margarita mix may be made in a single serving or in a big quantity in a matter of minutes. And whether you want to add salt to the rim or not, it tastes great neat or on the rocks.

Making margaritas using mezcal instead of tequila is something I’ve learned to like over the years. And I’d suggest it if you’re a fan of smokey drinks. Tips on how to build a spicy salted rim or muddle. A few chile peppers into your drink are given below as well. If you’re in the mood for a little heat.

Ultimately, if you share my passion for margaritas. I urge you to read through my helpful hints and commit this easy recipe to memory. Come on, then, and we’ll mix up a pitcher of margaritas for the group. Cheers!

Margarita Recipe FAQ:

What does margarita mean? 

Margarita means “daisy” in Spanish. ♡

Where did margaritas originate? 

This well-known combination of sweet, sour, and salty flavors is a product of Mexico’s extensive culinary tradition. Historians are split on where exactly the beverage first appeared (some of the most well-known theories are detailed here and here). But during Prohibition, when many Americans went to Mexico in search of alcohol. Local tequila became more popular among U.S. drinkers. Moreover, the Margarita Recipe is now widely considered to be one of the world’s most well-liked drinks.

How are margaritas traditionally served Margarita Recipe? 

By contrast to the large mugs of diluted margaritas that are popularly served. Nowadays in many restaurants around the world. Margaritas are traditionally served as a strong cocktail in a margarita glass rimmed with salt. (Please note that the recipe below is the strong cocktail version!)

When is national margarita day? 

February 22, so mark your calendars is you’d like to celebrate!

MARGARITA INGREDIENTS:

To make the best margarita mix, all you really need are three basic margarita ingredients:

• Tequila: Silver or reposado is traditionally considered to be the best tequila for margaritas, but any type of tequila (or smoky mezcal or sotol) will work.
• Freshly-squeezed lime juice: For the best fresh flavor, I highly recommend juicing your own limes versus using store-bought lime juice. I swear by this citrus juicer, which makes juicing a breeze and comes in especially handy if you are making a large batch.
• Orange liqueur: Cointreau is my go-to, but Grand Marnier is also delicious or you can use a good-quality Triple Sec.

You are also welcome to add:

• Agave: If you would like to sweeten your margarita, I recommend adding agave syrup (or simple syrup, or any other sweetener you prefer) to taste.
• Kosher salt: If you would like to salt the rims of your glasses, run a lime wedge around the rims and then dip them in coarse Kosher salt or margarita salt. (I also like to mix some Tajín into my salt to give it an extra chili-lime kick.)
• Additional lime slices/wedges: Save a few extra lime slices or wedges if you would like to add them to the glass as garnish.

HOW TO MAKE A Margarita Recipe (SINGLE-SERVING):

Detailed instructions are included in the recipe below. But here is a brief overview of how to make a single-serving homemade margarita:

1. Prep your glasses: If you would like to salt the rim of your glass, simply run a juicy lime wedge around the rim and then dip the rim in coarse Kosher salt. Set the glass aside until ready to use.
2. Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker: Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and a few ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. (Or alternately if you do not have a cocktail shaker, you can stir the ingredients together in a measuring cup or shake them together in a mason jar.)
3. Shake shake shake: Give the mixture a good shake (or a good stir!) for about 10 seconds or until chilled.
4. Taste and add sweetener, if desired: Give the margarita mix a taste and if you think it needs extra sweetener, add in a teaspoon or two of agave (or simple syrup) at a time until the mix reaches your desired level of sweetness.
5. Strain and serve on the rocks. Place a few ice cubes (or I often use one large ice cube so that it will melt more slowly) in the serving glass, then strain the margarita mix over the ice and garnish with a slice of lime.

HOW TO MAKE A PITCHER OF MARGARITAS:

Detailed instructions are included in the recipe below. But here is a brief overview of how to make pitcher margaritas:

1. Prep your glasses: If you would like to salt the rims of your glasses, simply run a juicy lime wedge around the rims and then dip the rims in coarse Kosher salt. Set the glasses aside until ready to use.
2. Stir the ingredients together in a large pitcher: Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and a handful of ice in a large pitcher and stir to combine.
3. Taste and add sweetener, if desired: Give the margarita mix a taste, and if you think it needs extra sweetener, add in a tablespoon or two of agave (or simple syrup) at a time, until the drink reaches your desired level of sweetness.
4. Serve on the rocks. Place a few ice cubes (or I often use one large ice cube so that it will melt more slowly) in each serving glass, then pour the margarita mix over the ice and garnish each glass with a slice of lime.

POSSIBLE RECIPE VARIATIONS:

The sky’s the limit when it comes to different types of margaritas that you can make. But here are a few of my favorite simple tweaks that you can make to this classic margarita recipe:

• Make mezcal margaritas: We are especially partial in our house to making margaritas with mezcal (or sotol) instead of tequila, which adds the most delicious, smoky, complex flavor to this cocktail. That said, if you would just like a subtly smoky margarita, try using a 50/50 blend of tequila and mezcal.
• Make spicy margaritas: If you like your margarita to have a kick, try muddling a few slices of fresh jalapeño or serrano chiles into the margarita mix. Please note, however, that a few chile slices go a long way with a single serving. So I recommend starting with one or two slices, and then you can always add more if you’d like to your spicy margarita recipe.
• Make “skinny” margaritas: If you would like to shave off some calories (and alcoholic content), try substituting freshly-squeezed orange juice in place of the orange liqueur to make a skinny margarita. They still taste great!
• Make virgin margaritas: Here is my favorite recipe for virgin margarita mocktails.
• Customize the salted rim: I also love mixing Tajín with coarse salt to make a spicier chili-lime salted rim. Or if you want to go sweet and spicy, you can mix some turbinado sugar (or any type of sugar) with the salt too.