Making the best margarita is easy! You only need 4 ingredients and a few minutes, and you’ll be sipping a refreshing cocktail right at home in no time.
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I have plenty of Mexican-inspired recipes on my blog, from Street Corn to Fish Tacos to Chicken Quesadillas, that just aren’t quite complete without an ice-cold margarita to wash them down. So you can say I’ve made my fair share of margaritas over the years, and I’ve mastered the ratio and steps to get the best result every time.
It’s really simple: you need good-quality ingredients and a few straightforward steps to be sippin’ on the best darn margarita north of the border.
Still have leftover limes? Stir together a Moscow Mule to keep the party going!
Margarita Ingredients
What do you need to make a margarita at home? Here’s the short list!
- Silver tequila – silver tequila (also labeled “blanco”) is traditional in a margarita because it’s clean, crisp, and balanced, letting the lime and orange liqueur shine. I like Espolòn or Casamigos.
- Fresh lime – fresh lime juice is so important in a margarita, adding bright, citrusy acidity! Save a lime wheel or wedge for garnishing and brushing the rim of your glass so the salt/sugar sticks.
- Orange liqueur – classic in a margarita, orange liqueur balances the sharpness of the lime and tequila, adding a subtle orangey note. Cointreau is the best option but you can also use triple sec.
- Light agave nectar – the best sweetener for a margarita is light agave because it has a neutral taste and mixes easily. You can also use simple syrup if preferred, or skip a sweetener completely if you prefer it extra skinny!
- Ice
- Coarse sugar or salt (optional for the rim)
How to Make a Margarita
Here are the no-stress instructions to make the best margarita! This is an outline; the full recipe is in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the glass. Spread a layer of salt or sugar onto a plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, and then dip the rim into the salt/sugar. Fill the glass three-quarters full with ice.
- Add ingredients. Fill cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake it. Shake for about 15 seconds.
- Strain it. Strain into the glass. Garnish and serve!
Variations
Change it up with one of these variations on the classic margarita:
- Skinny: add ¼ ounce agave instead of a ½, or skip sweetener entirely!
- Cadillac: use Grand Marnier (orange liqueur made from Cognac brandy), floating the ½ ounce on top for a richer, subtle vanilla-oak flavor.
- Spicy: muddle a thick slice of jalapeño and add to shaker. You can also add some cayenne to the salt rim.
- Strawberry: muddle 4 strawberries and add to the shaker, reducing agave to ¼ ounce.
- No triple sec (orange liqueur): use orange juice instead!
- Frozen: use the same recipe but add all ingredients to a blender with 1 ½ cups ice. Blend until the mixture looks like a soft slush. Pour in a glass and serve!
- Pitcher: make a pitcher of margaritas by doubling, tripling, etc. the recipe to fit your needs!
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If you’ve tried this Margarita Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
Margarita Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker (or mason jar with lid and strainer)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces silver (blanco) tequila
- 1 ¼ ounces fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur, Cointreau is best, or triple sec
- ½ ounce light agave nectar, or more or less to taste
- Ice
- Lime wheel or wedge, to garnish
- Coarse sugar or salt for rim, optional
Instructions
- Spread a thin layer of salt or sugar onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass (or other glass of choice), then dip the rim into the salt/sugar to coat.
- Fill the glass about three-quarters full with ice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake vigorously until the mixture is well chilled, about 15 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and serve immediately. Cheers!
Video
Notes
- Why orange liqueur? It’s classic in a margarita, balancing the sharpness of the lime and tequila and adding a subtle orange peel note. Cointreau is higher-quality than triple sec.
- Light agave keeps a margarita bright and crisp and easily dissolves. You can use simple syrup if preferred.
- Want a skinny margarita? Use ¼ ounce agave!
- Don’t have a jigger? Tequila = 3 tablespoons, lime juice = 2 ½ tablespoons, orange liqueur = 1 tablespoon, agave = 1 tablespoon
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Use a mason jar with a lid!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
