Classic margarita ready in 5 minutes with tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a salted rim for a crisp, restaurant-style cocktail at home.
After making margaritas more times than I can count and playing around with different tequila, lime, and orange liqueur combos, I keep coming back to this easy version. It uses just 4 simple ingredients, comes together fast, and gives you that classic margarita flavor that’s bright, citrusy, and balanced without being too sweet.
Table of contents
What Do You Need for a Margarita
These simple ingredients come together to make a classic margarita with bright, balanced flavor.
- Tequila: Silver tequila keeps the drink bright and crisp.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed juice gives the cleanest citrus flavor.
- Triple sec: Adds orange flavor and balances the lime.
- Sweet and sour mix: Keeps this version easy and approachable.
- Salt rim: Optional, but helps balance the tartness.
How to Make a Margarita
Start by salting the rim, then fill your glass with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and sweet and sour mix to a shaker with ice, then shake until the outside feels icy cold and the drink is slightly frothy. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
I prefer shaking this margarita instead of stirring because it chills the drink faster and gives the citrus a lighter, frothier texture.
How To Make a Pitcher of Margaritas
For a pitcher, use cups instead of ounces for the ingredient amounts, then stir everything together in a large pitcher with a little ice. Chill until you’re ready to serve, then pour over fresh ice in salt-rimmed glasses.
Margarita Variations
These easy margarita variations are a fun way to change things up.
- Spicy: Shake with jalapeno slices
- Fruity: Muddle strawberries or blackberries in the shaker first
- Fizzy: Top with club soda or 7-Up
- Herbal: Shake with basil or cilantro
Frozen Margarita Option
Once you’ve mastered the classic margarita, you can easily turn it into a frozen margarita by blending the same ingredients with about 1 cup of ice per serving, or follow along with my full frozen margarita tutorial.
*This post originally posted on 04/04/2019.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces silver tequila
- ½ ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce triple sec
- 1 ½ ounces sweet and sour mix
- agave syrup or simple syrup, to taste (optional)
- ice
- margarita salt for garnish
- 1 lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass (or margarita glass), and then dip the rim into margarita salt. Carefully fill the glass with ice so you don't knock off much salt. Set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce triple sec, and 1 1/2 ounces sweet and sour mix. Cover and shake vigorously until the shaker feels very cold, about 30 seconds.
- Uncover and taste. Adjust the sweetness with agave syrup to your liking, if needed.
- Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a 1 lime slice. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a richer orange flavor, swap triple sec for Grand Marnier.
- For a frozen margarita, blend the ingredients with 1 cup of ice per serving.
- For a bigger batch, switch ounces for cups for the ingredients, stir in a large pitcher, and chill before serving over fresh ice.
Nutrition
FAQ
Silver tequila is usually the best choice because it has a clean, crisp flavor that mixes well with lime and orange liqueur. You can use gold tequila, but save reposado for a Cadillac marg and skip añjeo tequila.
Yes, but the flavor will be a little different from the classic taste. You can swap it with another orange liqueur if needed.
Yes. Mix everything in a pitcher ahead of time, chill, then pour over fresh ice when ready to serve. Want to make a really big batch in a 1-gallon beverage dispenser? Convert ounces to cups for the ingredients, then multiply the amounts by 4.
More Margaritas to Try
If you love the sweet-tart flavor of a classic margarita, Chili Mango Margaritas add juicy mango and a little heat for a fun twist.
For a citrusy twist on the original, Blood Orange Margaritas bring a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor that still feels bright and refreshing.
Anyone who loves a frozen cocktail should try Frozen Raspberry Margaritas for their icy texture and bright berry flavor.
If you’re in the mood for something tropical, a Pineapple Coconut Margarita has the same easy-drinking feel as a classic with a sunny island-inspired twist.
For a fresh, fruity take on the original, a Strawberry Margarita blends sweet strawberries with the bright lime flavor that margarita lovers always come back to.
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