Margarita
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
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.
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.
More Cocktails You May Like
Margaritas
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
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.
See more recipes:
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
These were delicious! My husband loves to have a margarita when he gets home from work. Can I make a batch to store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days? Or do they have to be made fresh each time? Thanks!
Hi Mindy, So glad you enjoyed them! It’s fine to make a large batch and keep in the fridge.
Freaking yummy!
Had theses, and loved them! I will never ever buy that pre made stuff again! Will be trying the pomegranate ones soon!
Yum! Enjoyed this recently with sriracha chicken and Black Bean & Corn Salad with Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette.
Super easy and so fresh-tasting. I didn’t have any Cointreau, so I will have to pick that up. And I love spicy margaritas, so I’m going to have to try one commenter’s suggestion about infusing tequila…..next project!
This is the perfect ‘rita! Best I’ve ever had!
This is one of the easiest and best tasting margaritas I have made. It’s always a hit and is sooooo much better than the pre-made mixes
At our family reunion last week, the margaritas were flowing. This is such an easy recipe and the best one I have tried.
If you like your margaritas spicy, you can infuse the tequila with jalepenos overnight and it gives it a little kick.
Tried this at my last summer party and was a huge hit! This is by far the most refreshing tasting margarita I’ve ever had!