Whether you love a perfectly balanced classic margarita or can’t resist a bold new twist, this collection of easy margarita recipes has you covered. From pink lemonade and rhubarb to spicy cucumber and other fresh riffs, these margarita recipes bring bright citrus, just the right kick of tequila, and serious flavor to every glass. If you’re ready to shake things up, there’s a margarita here with your name on it.
The Right Margarita for Any Mood
A good margarita is all about balance: bright citrus, clean tequila, and just enough sweetness. It’s why I keep coming back to them. The classic version is always a win, but once you start playing with variations, the possibilities are endless.
Over the years, I’ve tested everything from smoky mezcal swaps to lemon-based twists and seasonal fruit additions. Some are bold and spicy, others light and refreshing, but they all keep that signature margarita backbone. This collection brings together the 17 margarita recipes I make most often. I know you’re going to love them!
What is a Margarita?
In the most basic and traditional sense, a margarita is a Mexican cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur (like triple sec or Cointreau), and fresh lime juice. It’s usually served in a glass with a salted rim, and you can find them on the rocks (poured over ice) or frozen (blended with ice). There are many different margarita flavors and variations now, though most start with that original base of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime.
What is The Best Tequila to Use?
The best tequila to use is one that YOU love, although I do recommend opting for a blanco (aka “silver) tequila. Unlike reposado and anejo tequilas, which are aged, blanco tequilas have a cleaner flavor that lets the other flavors in the drink shine. But by all means, if you are a fan of aged tequila, use that!
When it comes to making margaritas, you don’t need top-shelf liquor but you do want to use a good one. Cheap tequila will definitely give you a margarita that is less smooth and noteworthy.
Patron Silver is a classic option but tends to be a bit pricy. Other excellent and less-pricy options include Espolòn blanco, Casamigos blanco, and 1800 Tequila Silver.
What is Orange Liqueur? (And What’s the Best One?)
Orange liqueur is the other alcohol that always appears in margarita recipes. It’s simply a sweet liqueur with an orange flavor.
There are many different options out there but the three most popular for margarita-making are Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and triple sec. Of the 3, triple sec is the most affordable but all three are great options and any of them will work!
How to Salt a Rim
Most margaritas are served with a salted rim. Sometimes, for fruity margaritas, they’ll swap salt for sugar, and in other cases they’ll add some flavored salt, chili, or Tajín to the rim. Here’s the chili salt rim recipe that I often use. And this is a good basic margarita salt choice.
To salt a margarita glass at home, you’ll just need some coarse salt and a small plate or bowl. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, dip the wet rim straight down into a plate of coarse salt, and then lift it straight back up. Don’t twist, as that can cause some of the salt to fall off.
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17 Must-Try Margarita Recipes
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