Everyone needs a go-to original, classic margarita recipe. Learn How to Make a Margarita from scratch with simple ingredients and easy instructions!
Margaritas shouldn’t only be enjoyed at Mexican restaurants. It’s simple to make the perfect margarita at home following this easy recipe. Whether you love margaritas on the rocks, sharing a pitcher with friends, using homemade sweet and sour mix, or just adding lime juice we have you covered. Learn how to make a margarita and taste how much better homemade is than any restaurant version!
HOW TO MAKE A MARGARITA
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What is in a margarita?
Margaritas differ in taste because of the proportions of ingredients. However, most margarita recipes without using a mix have the same basic ingredients.
- Tequila – The number of tequila choices can be overwhelming. There’s silver, gold, aged, agave, and dozens of brands within each category. So how do you choose? For a margarita, the first thing to consider is your price point. Extremely expensive tequila is best for sipping straight, and its quality would be masked by margarita ingredients. Therefore, I go for the middle ground – a mid-priced tequila that’s smooth and still affordable.
- Orange Liqueur – These include triple sec, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier. Which orange liqueur to use also depends on how much you are willing to spend. Cadillac or Grand Gold Margaritas use more expensive Cointreau or Grand Marnier over triple sec.
- Fresh Lime Juice – This is where making a margarita at home has its biggest advantage. A lot of restaurants resort to concentrated lime flavoring instead of the real deal. Freshly squeezed lime juice is key for the classic, perfect margarita!
- Extras – These are the additions mixologists use to stamp with their own unique flair or taste. Sour mix and simple syrups give margaritas a sweeter taste. A squeeze of fresh orange makes the drink more citrusy, and a splash of Sprite makes a sparkly fizz.
How to Make a Margarita with Mix
I like to make a pitcher of this best margarita recipe when friends are coming over. The recipe below makes about 11 drinks, or about 6 cups (48 ounces), but you can make a single cocktail as well using the recipe card. To juice large amounts of citrus I use this citrus press. However, this is a more affordable option.
- 2 cups tequila
- 2/3 cup lime juice (about 5-7 limes)
- 2/3 cup triple sec
- 2 cups sour mix
Place all ingredients in a large pitcher, mix well, and add ice. Serve with glasses of ice, rimmed with salt, and additional lime wedges.
How to Make Margarita Without Mix
If you enjoy more tart margaritas leave out the sour mix. Simply fill the cocktail shaker with tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and ice. Shake and strain into salt-rimmed glasses.
To add a touch a sweetness add a freshly squeezed orange wedge or splash of simple syrup.
Variations of a Margarita recipe
- Add club soda or 7up for a touch of fizz.
- Shake ingredients with a couple of slices of jalapeño for a spicy kick.
- Muddle fresh fruit, such as blackberries or strawberries at the bottom of the glass for a fruit margarita.
- For a more tart drink, leave out the sour mix.
- Try fresh herbs, such as basil or cilantro, shaken with the ingredients. The herbs also go well with fruit additions.
- For a frozen fruit margarita, blend all the ingredients with 1/2 cup FROZEN fruit and a few ice cubes.
More of my favorite margarita recipes!!
- Blood Orange Margaritas
- Blended Raspberry Margaritas
- Chili Mango Margaritas
- Pineapple Coconut Margarita
- Fresh Strawberry Margarita
- More drink recipes…
Tools used to make this Margarita Recipe
Jigger: Every home bartender should have a jigger for measuring their cocktail ingredients. This one has a no-slip grip and is marked with increment measuring lines so you can make the perfect cocktail every time.
Cocktail Shaker: This shaker is a bartender’s best friend! Easy to use and the best way to mix up your favorite cocktails!
Pitcher: I love pitcher drinks and this pitcher always gets oohs and ahhs from my friends and readers.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- ½ once fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce triple sec
- 1 ½ ounces sour mix
- Course salt for glass rim
Instructions
- If you like a salt-rimmed glass, use a lime slice to wipe around the top of the glass and then turn over onto a plate filled with course salt. Fill glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and add a few cubes of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into prepared glass. Garnish glass with lime slice.
Notes
- Add club soda or 7up for a touch of fizz
- Shake ingredients with a couple slices of jalapeño for a spicy kick
- Muddle fresh fruit, such as blackberries or strawberries at the bottom of the glass for a fruit margarita
- For a more tart drink, leave out sour mix.
- Try fresh herbs, such as basil or cilantro, shaken with the ingredients. The herbs also go well with fruit additions.
- For a frozen fruit margarita, blend all the ingredients with 1/2 cup FROZEN fruit and a few ice cubes.
Nutrition
Want a fresh, healthy margarita that is low in calories? Learn how to make an easy Skinny Margarita sweetened with agave and low in carbs.
The best Fruit Mojito recipe perfectly combines citrus, sweet, sparkle, and mint flavors to make a refreshing cocktail that can be savored all year.
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