Margarita Recipe
A classic lime margarita with blanco tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice, shaken until cold and served over ice with an optional salt rim.
No major allergens are identified from the listed ingredients, but orange liqueur formulations can vary. Check the label if you need to avoid a specific allergen.
WHY IT WORKS
Why This Recipe Works
01
Use a Balanced Ratio
Two parts tequila to one part each orange liqueur and fresh lime juice gives the drink a clear tequila base with citrus and sweetness in balance.
02
Use Fresh Lime
Fresh lime juice supplies the sharp, aromatic citrus that defines a classic lime margarita and keeps the drink tasting bright.
03
Shake It Cold
A firm shake chills the margarita quickly and adds a small amount of dilution, softening the alcohol without making the drink watery.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Equipment
THE RECIPE
Ingredients & Method
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Ingredients
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Method
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If using a salt rim, spread the kosher salt on a small plate. Rub the lime wedge around half or all of the rim of a rocks glass, then dip the moistened rim into the salt. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
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Add the tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Add 6 to 8 ice cubes.
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Close the shaker securely and shake firmly for 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold.
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Strain the margarita into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, if using, and serve immediately.
COOKING GUIDANCE
Practical Cooking Notes
Make Ahead
Combine the tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice without ice, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake with fresh ice just before serving, then strain over fresh ice.
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Recipe Notes
Ingredient Notes
Blanco tequila keeps the flavor clean and lets the citrus stay prominent, while orange liqueur supplies sweetness and orange aroma. Freshly squeezed lime juice is worth using here because it provides most of the drink's acidity and citrus character.
Useful Substitutions
Reposado tequila can replace blanco for a rounder, lightly oaked margarita. Cointreau and other triple sec-style orange liqueurs can be used interchangeably, although sweetness and alcohol strength vary by bottle.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
Quality Note
Squeeze the lime shortly before mixing. Fresh lime juice provides the bright aroma and clean acidity that bottled lime juice often loses during storage.
COOKING TIPS
Tips
Juice the Lime Fresh
Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the margarita a brighter aroma and cleaner acidity than most bottled lime juice.
Shake Firmly
Shake until the outside of the shaker feels very cold. That chills the drink and provides the small amount of dilution a margarita needs.
Try a Half Salt Rim
Salting only half the rim lets you choose between salted and unsalted sips without changing the drink itself.
Use Fresh Ice to Serve
Strain the shaken margarita over fresh ice rather than pouring the shaker ice into the glass, which helps prevent excess dilution.
ESTIMATED PER SERVING
Nutrition
1 cocktail
Nutrition information is an estimate. Where shown, % Daily Value uses standard US Daily Values for adults and children aged 4+; actual values vary with ingredient brands, exact quantities and portion size.
QUESTIONS
Margarita FAQs
Can I make a margarita without a cocktail shaker?
Yes. Add the ingredients and ice to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake until very cold, then strain the drink over fresh ice.
Should I use Cointreau or triple sec?
Either works. Cointreau is an orange liqueur in the triple sec style, while other bottles can vary in sweetness, strength and orange flavor, so the finished margarita may taste slightly different.
Do I need to salt the rim?
No. The salt rim is optional. A half rim is useful if you like some salted sips while still being able to taste the margarita without salt.
Can I make this margarita sweeter?
Yes. If the drink is sharper than you prefer, shake it with 1 teaspoon (tsp) agave nectar or simple syrup. Orange liqueurs vary in sweetness, so taste before adding extra sweetener.
Can I mix a margarita ahead of time?
You can combine the tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice without ice and refrigerate the mixture, covered, for up to 24 hours. Shake it with fresh ice just before serving.
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