Best Margarita Recipe

Here’s how to make the classic margarita recipe! It’s easy with just 3 ingredients: tequila, lime, and orange liqueur.

There’s a reason the margarita is world’s most popular tequila drink. This classic sour cocktail hits just the right balance of earthy tequila, zingy lime juice and sweet orange liqueur. Many restaurants and bars have created syrupy spins on the theme, or added flavors from mango to hibiscus. But we keep coming back to that classic formula: just 3 ingredients makes the best balanced tart and salty cocktail. Here’s how to make the best margarita!

Margarita ingredients

The margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails in history. It was mostly likely invented in Mexico in the 1930’s (there are many competing origin stories, so the exact story is unknown). Margarita means “daisy” in Spanish and was likely a variation on the Brandy Daisy. The Daisy is a historic family of drinks with base liquor, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and soda water.

The margarita became popular during the Prohibition era, when Americans would travel to Mexico to get alcohol. It has spawned many variations that have diluted the classic way to make it. The classic margarita recipe has the following ingredients (per the definition by the International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails):

• 1 ½ oz tequila
• 1 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau
• ¾ oz lime juice

How to make a margarita

The classic margarita recipe is simple: you can make it as a single drink or as a margarita pitcher. Either way, you’ll need to allow time to prepare the glass rim and garnishes before making the drink. Here’s how to make a single drink:

1. Rim the glass with salt. The classic margarita has a salt rim to enhances the sweet and sour flavors in the drink. Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer. Take a lime wedge, cut a notch in the middle, then slide it around the rim of the glass. Dip the outside edge of the glass in the plate of salt, then shake off any loose salt into the sink.
2. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Place the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and add 4 ice cubes. Shake it until the drink is cold.
3. Strain into a glass. Strain the drink into a glass. If serving on the rocks, add clear ice. The margarita is often served in a lowball or Old Fashioned glass, but a curved margarita glass works too.

Variation: margarita pitcher

Want to serve this margarita recipe for a crowd? The best way to make multiple margaritas at once is to make a pitcher. The margarita pitcher makes for 8 servings and you don’t need to shake up each drink separately, which is time consuming. Stir ice right into the pitcher to chill and dilute the drink. Here’s what to do:

• Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec, and ¾ cup fresh lime juice in a pitcher.
• Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold.
• Pour into the prepared glasses. 

Best tequila for margaritas

Many experts say tequila blanco is best for margaritas. Tequila blanco (or “new” tequila) has been aged less than 2 months and has that classic tequila burn. But tequila reposado adds an intriguing depth of flavor. Here are a few tips for picking the best tequila for margaritas:

• Rule of thumb: any mid-priced tequila tastes great in a margarita. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. Anything cheaper isn’t worth buying.
• Tequila reposado (aged) makes a smooth, sophisticated margarita. Tequila reposado is aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels (reposado means “rested” in Spanish). It has a smooth flavor and notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Some brands we like include Casamigos, Milagro Reposado, and Suerte Reposado.
• Tequila blanco is also ideal for margaritas. It has a straightforward agave-centric flavor and spicy finish. Some brands we recommend are Espolon Blanco, El Tesoro Blanco, Patrón Silver, and Casamigos.

Try our Casamigos Margarita or Patron Margarita recipes!

Use clear ice

The best way to make a margarita on the rocks? Use clear ice. Clear ice is artisanal ice that is crystal clear and can be cut into beautiful organic shapes. It’s the best way to take a cocktail from good to glamorous!

You can make your own clear ice at home: all you need is a small cooler or clear ice tray. Make up a batch 1 day in advance: go to How to Make Clear Ice for details!

Popular margarita recipes

There are many variations on the classic margarita! While the classic simple margarita remains our favorite, there are lots of great ways to mix up the formula. Here are a few more variations to try:

• Frozen: The Frozen Margarita blends these ingredients with ice for a frosty spin
• Jalapeño: Go spicy with a Jalapeno Margarita
• Mezcal: Add mezcal to make the irresistibly smoky Mezcal Margarita
• Cadillac: Swap in Grand Marnier and top-shelf tequila for a Cadillac Margarita
• Skinny: A Skinny Margarita uses orange juice and less tequila for a lower calorie drink
• Italian: Use amaretto to mash up the drink into an Italian Margarita
• Fruity: Try Strawberry, Mango, Pineapple, and more margarita flavors!

01

Ultimate Frozen Margarita

02

Mezcal Margarita

03

Cadillac Margarita

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21 Popular Homemade Margarita Recipes

This margarita recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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