Margarita

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If Mexican food is on the menu, this margarita is the drink to go with it—simple to make and easy to adjust to your taste.

Margarita cocktails garnished with lime slices

A good margarita is all about balance. Bright lime, smooth tequila, and just enough orange liqueur to round it out. This is my go-to ratio: fresh, citrusy, and not too sweet, with the option to add a touch of simple syrup or agave if you like it a little sweeter. For the best flavor, use a blanco tequila you’d actually enjoy sipping—something clean and smooth, like Casamigos, Patrón, or Espolòn—and a good orange liqueur like Cointreau for a polished, well-balanced drink.

A few small details make a big difference. Always use fresh lime juice, shake the drink well so it’s properly chilled and lightly diluted (that’s what takes the edge off the alcohol), and serve it over plenty of ice. I love a salted rim for contrast, but it’s optional. Once you’ve made it once, it’s easy to tweak—more or less sweet, or even a small splash of orange juice if you prefer a softer, slightly sweeter drink—until it’s exactly how you like it.

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Margaritas

Margarita cocktails garnished with lime slices
An easy margarita that’s made for taco night and beyond.
Servings: 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice, from 1 lime
  • ¼ oz simple syrup or agave syrup (optional)
  • Lime slices, for garnish
  • Coarse salt, for rimming the glass

Instructions

  • Place coarse salt on a small plate. Rub rim of glass with lime wedge and dip in coarse salt if desired. Add ice to glass if using.
  • Combine drink ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add some ice and shake vigorously, then strain into prepared glass. Garnish rim with lime slice.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (1 servings)Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 36gSodium: 15mgSugar: 35g

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

4.98 from 35 votes

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67 Comments

  • 5 stars
    Once again Jenn gives us a simple recipe that is fantastic!

    • — Terrie Garrison on June 8, 2025
    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Everyone commented on how delicious these were! I made them in gallon bags and froze them a few weeks in advance of a party. Thanks, Jenn, for another fabulous recipe!

    • — Laurie I on June 11, 2024
    • Reply
  • I have a Margaritaville frozen margarita machine. I want to use this recipe for a party. Can I make up batches of this in advance and store it in gallon size freezer ziplocks? If so, how far in advance can I make this? Thanks!

    • Sure, Laurie – you could easily freeze it for several months.

  • 5 stars
    Muy Bien! Thanks for a nice, clean margarita recipe.