Classic Margarita Recipe

This Classic Margarita Recipe is one of my favorite tequila cocktail recipes, combining Blanco tequila with Cointreau, lime juice and a little sugar syrup, for a drink that really packs a punch. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.

 

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If you are looking for the Best Margarita Recipe, it should have a balance of flavors, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. That’s why I always like to put a salt rim on my glass, as it balances out the other strong flavors in the cocktail itself.

I make my classic margarita recipe with Cointreau as it has a lovely depth of orange flavor. However, feel free to swap Cointreau for triple sec, or any other orange flavored liqueur.

This simple margarita recipe is easy to prepare, in just 5 minutes you have the perfect cocktail serving for one. However, feel free to double up the recipe, or even make it in a pitcher if you are serving a larger crowd of friends.

If you enjoy a cocktail when the sun is out, try my Strawberry Margarita, Paloma Cocktail, Jamaican Rum Punch, Fruity Martini, or Jamaican Guinness Punch recipes.

Classic Margarita Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make a Classic Margarita cocktail:

• Tequila – when it comes to making the best Margarita Cocktail, I use Blanco tequila.
• Lime – use fresh lime juice for the best flavor, although bottled lime juice can work in a pinch. You will also need lime juice for decorating the rim of the glass with salt, and fresh lime wedges for garnish.
• Orange Liqueur – I use Cointreau, but you can also use Triple Sec, or any other orange liqueur.
• Simple Syrup – make your own Simple Syrup using my quick and easy recipe. Alternatively, you can buy bottled sugar syrups in your local store.
• Salt – no margarita cocktail is complete without a salt rimmed glass; I use course kosher or course sea salt.

How to make a Classic Margarita Cocktail

Begin by preparing your glass. Dip the rim of a chilled glass into the small shallow dish with lime juice, making sure to coat the entire rim.

Next, dip the rim of the glass into the dish with coarse salt, rolling the glass to ensure an even coating of salt on the rim.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice.

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds, until well combined and chilled.

Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass.

Garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best Classic Margarita recipe you’ve ever tried. 

• If you don’t have a shaker, you can simply combine all of the ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir until well combined.
• This cocktail is best served immediately, but it can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply add the ice and stir well.
• Don’t add the ice cubes until you are ready to serve, otherwise, you risk them melting and diluting the cocktail.
• Serving more people, no problem, just increase the recipe and prepare in a large jug rather than a cocktail shaker.

Flavor variations

• The type of tequila you use can significantly affect the flavor of your margarita. Blanco or silver tequila is typically used for a classic margarita, as it has a clean, crisp taste that pairs well with the other ingredients.
• For a slightly sweeter margarita, you can adjust the amount of simple syrup to your liking, or use agave nectar instead. However, be careful not to overdo it, as too much sweetness can overpower the other flavors in the drink.
• For the orange liqueur, I use Cointreau, but you can also make a classic margarita recipe with triple sec, or any other orange-flavored liqueur.
• Add flavors, like tamarind, for a tamarind margarita.

FAQs

If you have tried this Classic Margarita recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!