How to Make a Margarita
The best Classic Margarita Recipe that’s fresh and tart and so very simple to make. With just a few ingredients, it’s the perfect tequila cocktail!
Classic Margarita Recipe
I’ll admit that I’m a bit partial to “anything Rick Bayless”.
If you’re ever in Chicago and get the chance to visit any of this amazing chef’s restaurants (Xoco, Frontera Grill, and Topolobampo), I do believe you’ll agree that his authentic Mexican food and drinks ROCK!
It’s quite the scene as hungry Bayless fans flood into Frontera Grill, often after standing in line for hours. The noise level picks up as their excellent wait staff starts shaking their drink shakers high and low from all over the lobby and bar area.
Then the margaritas start flowing. It was here that I tasted the best margarita ever. And, no, it’s not just because I’m partial to “anything Rick Bayless”.
You’re gonna love this simple Classic Margarita Recipe. Promise!
Homemade Margarita Ingredients
Margaritas are so easy to make! For the most basic margarita on the rocks, you really only need 3 ingredients:
- Fresh limes
- Tequila
- Orange liqueur
I also like to add a small splash of simple syrup, for just the slightest hint of sweetness. But many people do without. I always have simple syrup in the fridge, for sweetening our hot and iced coffees and teas. If you’ve never made it before, simply boil equal parts water and sugar on the stovetop, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then keep it in a covered jar or bottle in the fridge – it’ll last for at least a month!
If you like a salted rim on your margarita glass, also add course salt to the list. I’m a total sucker for the salted rim, LOVE IT.
And of course, you’ll need some ice.
My Best Tip for Making a Margarita from Scratch
Without hesitation, I beg you to use fresh lime juice. No bottled lime juice. No pre-made margarita mix. Just buy a few limes and enjoy a fresh and truly authentic margarita. It’s THE BEST!
What is the Best Tequila for Margaritas?
Grab a blanco (or “silver”) tequila for the best margaritas. This type is more mellow than darker tequilas, giving your cocktail a clean, smooth flavor.
As far as specific brands go, Patrón Silver is the crowd-pleaser of the margarita bunch. I like to keep a bottle on hand, but it is on the pricier side. A less pricy option, with a cool label to boot, is Espolòn Blanco. 1800 Tequila Silver is another smooth, safe bet.
What is orange liqueur?
Orange liqueur is simply a sweetened alcoholic beverage with orange flavoring. There are many to choose from and they all range in flavor and price.
I like to keep a bottle of Cointreau on hand for margarita making. But Grand Marnier is beautiful. And Triple Sec is a more budget-friendly option.
How to Make a Salted Rim
If you have a glass, a lime wedge, and a small dish of course salt, you can make a salted rim. It’s super easy!
Simply run the cut side of a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Then dip the wet rim into the course salt, straight down and then straight back up. Do not twist the glass in the salt, or you risk losing some of the granules that are already attached.
For the salt, use course kosher salt or any specialty margarita salts. I have this inexpensive margarita salt, in its own dipping dish with sealable lid, and it works great. And I was given this bamboo bar rimmer (in the photo above) as a gift, which is extra lovely when entertaining.
How to Make a Margarita
- Salt the rim of a 10 to 12-ounce glass.
- Add crushed ice to fill glass two-thirds full.
- Pour lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila over ice.
- Stir for 10 seconds to combine, slightly dilute, and chill the drink to absolute perfection.
- Taste test and add a bit of simple syrup if drink is too strong or tart for your liking. Give another stir.
- Squeeze a fresh lime wedge over the top and add to the drink. ENJOY!
Variation Ideas
Our Minnesota kitchen has seen much experimentation when it comes to margaritas. If you’re looking for options that swerve a bit from the traditional, I have a few for you to try.
Check out these fun riffs on the classic Mexican margarita:
- Orange Margarita, my “wintertime margarita”, when citrus is ultra wonderful.
- Rhubarb Margarita, fun in spring and summer, when rhubarb is plentiful.
- Prosecco Margaritas, a big-batch recipe…with bubbles!
- Jalapeno Mezcal Margarita, a fabulous smoky-spicy combination!
How to Make a Pitcher of Margarita
My recipe is for a single margarita cocktail.
So if you want to make margaritas for a crowd, let’s say 8 people, then you would simply multiply all ingredients times 8. It’s ultra easy to scale up to suit any size of gathering.
For 12 drinks, I’ve done all the math for you with this Margarita Recipe for a Crowd.
Just don’t add ice to the pitcher, as it will water down the cocktail as it melts. Put the ice in individual glasses as you make the drinks!
What to serve with margaritas:
The fresh, tart lime juice in this cocktail makes it the perfect thirst-quenching drink for any Mexican meal. Of course, I have a few recipe suggestions for you:
- Easy Fish Tacos with Roasted Pineapple (in the photo above)
- Grilled Chipotle Orange Salmon – I love to entertain with this beautiful meal.
- Grilled Margarita Shrimp – One of my top favorite recipes EVER!
- Carnitas – This is a special favorite with our family and friends.
- Grilled Margarita Turkey Kebabs – I’m always up for kebabs!
- Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken Kebabs – So much fun flavor!
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Classic Margaritas
This classic margarita recipe is fresh and tart and so very simple to make!
Ingredients
For a Single Margarita:
- 1½ ounces blanco (or "silver") tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- simple syrup, optional sweetener (see Notes below)
- lime wedge and coarse salt, optional for rimming the glass
For a Pitcher of Margaritas (12 Drinks):
- 2¼ cups blanco (or "silver") tequila
- 1½ cups orange liqueur
- 1½ cups freshly squeezed lime juice
- simple syrup, optional sweetener
- lime wedge and coarse salt, optional for rimming the glass
Instructions
- Salted the rim (optional): Fill a small shallow plate or bowl with coarse salt. Run the cut, juicy edge of the lime wedge around the rim of a 10 to 12-ounce glass, then dip the wet rim into the salt. Set aside.
- Make the margarita: Add tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Add ice to half-full. Cover and vigorously shake for 30 seconds to perfectly chill and dilute the drink. Taste test and, if desired, add a bit of simple syrup.
- Serve: Add ice to prepared glass and strain the margarita into the glass. Squeeze a fresh lime wedge over the top and add it to the drink. ENJOY!
Notes
To make a pitcher of margaritas (12 drinks): Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and a big handful of ice to a large pitcher. Stir for 30 seconds. Add simple syrup if desired. Pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish glasses with fresh lime wedges.
To make simple syrup: Simply boil equal parts water and sugar on the stovetop (I usually use 1 cup each), and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then keep it in a covered jar or bottle in the fridge - it'll last for at least a month!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 328Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 0gSugar: 29gProtein: 0g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
This post was originally published May 2014. Some of the photos and text were updated in 2020.
Looks like you sipped on the one in the photo ; )
Good stuff!
You don’t miss a thing, do you? I had to be absolutely sure they were good! :-)