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This is the BEST margarita recipe I’ve made in my 12 years as a bartender. Made with fresh lime juice, quality tequila & orange liqueur, and just the right balance of sweetness. It’s crisp, refreshing, and perfect for any fiesta!
This recipe is intended for those of legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly.
Before I became a recipe developer, I was a bartender for more than 12 years! Margaritas were one of the top cocktails ordered, along with Palomas and Old Fashioneds.
I’ve worked in several restaurants, and each one made their house margaritas slightly different. Over time, I learned exactly what makes a margarita truly unforgettable- fresh lime juice, quality tequila, and just the right amount of ingredients to balance the tartness. This is the ultimate margarita recipe I’ve perfected over the years. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought mixes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect cocktail pairing for Mexican Bbq’s- Hosting or invited to the carne asada? This is the perfect drink to pair with your favorite Mexican favorites, like my Tacos Al Pastor Recipe or Carne Asada Recipe!
Make ahead friendly- You can make a large pitcher ahead of time for parties or get togethers.
Perfect balance of flavors – This margarita is not too sour, sweet, or strong in alcohol flavor! It is perfectly balanced for all to enjoy.
Key Ingredients in a Margarita
- Tequila – stick with your favorite blanco, or even a reposado if you prefer higher quality. I do not recommend using an añejo for mixed cocktails…save those for sipping on ice!
- Orange liqueur – Cointreau is my preference here, but any orange liqueur will work. It adds a touch of sweetness.
- Lime juice – freshly squeezed lime juice only!
- Agave nectar – the original margarita typically does not include a sweetener, but just a little agave nectar truly makes it so much better in my opinion!
Optional Ingredients:
- Orange juice – not a typical ingredient, but I absolutely love a splash of fresh oj in my margaritas! It helps to tone down the tartness of the lime. I picked this up working at an upscale bar in my early 20’s.
- Kosher salt rim – this is a must for me! We Mexicans love adding salt in ways that seem unusual to most people, and margaritas are no exception! It enhances the flavors and also helps to balance the tartness from the lime.
How to Make a Margarita:
Detailed instructions and ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below, but here is a brief overview of how to make a single-serving margarita:
- Prep your glass: If you would like to salt the rim of your glass (recommended), run a lime wedge around the rim then dip the rim in coarse kosher salt. Set the glass aside until ready to use.
- Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker: Combine the tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, agave nectar, and some ice in a cocktail shaker or mason jar.
- Shake vigorously: Give the mixture a good shake for about 5 seconds.
- Taste: taste the margarita and add more agave if you think it needs extra sweetener.
- Strain and serve: Strain the margarita over fresh ice into your prepared glass. You can add a lime wheel or twist for garnish if you desire!
Margarita Variations
- Tamarindo Margarita – if you make my Tamarind Syrup Recipe, you can add it to your margarita! This my favorite variation of margaritas!
- Fruit Flavored Margarita – you can use this recipe as the base. Just replace the agave syrup with your favorite fruit syrup! I’ve tried this using my Strawberry Cheong recipe (Korean fruit syrup), and it was a hit! Alternatively, you can muddle your choice of fruit with a little agave nectar before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Spicy Margarita – you have two options here:
- Muddle some jalapeños in your shaker before adding the rest of the ingredients. This is the best option if you want to taste a fresh jalapeno flavor up front.
- Infuse jalapeño flavoring into your tequila by adding chopped jalapeños to it and letting it sit for a day, then straining. This option is better if you really want to feel the heat that hits you later on the palate, with less of a fresh jalapeño flavor.
- Cucumber Margarita – this is the most refreshing of the margarita varieties, in my opinion. Cucumbers add flavor and some water to the cocktail, balancing out the tartness even more. These can be made by muddling some cucumbers before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Cadillac Margarita – this is considered a “premium” margarita in the bar industry and usually calls for an up-charge! It’s made with top shelf tequilas (typically a reposado or añejo), using Grand Marnier specifically as the orange liqueur. It’s common to “float” a little on top for the signature “Cadillac” look as well.
Pairing Suggestions
Whether you’re serving a casual meal or hosting a party, here are some fantastic dishes that pair wonderfully with margaritas:
- Tacos. Tequila + Tacos = the ultimate food and cocktail pairing! For the best taco recipes, I recommend trying my Beef Birria, Tequila Lime Shrimp, Authentic Carnitas, Carne Asada Tacos, and Tacos Al Pastor.
- Ceviche. You have to try my family’s Mexican Ceviche Recipe! The citrusy, light flavors of ceviche pair beautifully with a margarita, creating a refreshing combination that is extra refreshing on warmer days.
- Enchiladas. One of the most popular recipes on my blog is Enchiladas Suizas (creamy green enchiladas). The tender chicken and creamy, savory sauce are well complemented by the zesty and refreshing flavors of a margarita.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common ratio for a classic margarita is 2:1:1 (2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, 1 part orange liqueur).
However, the “perfect” ratio is really a matter of personal preference. My perfect ratio is 2:1:½ + ½ agave nectar.
If you don’t like your drinks sweet at all, you can just leave it out or add a little extra orange liqueur instead to balance the tartness.
Alternatively, you can use simple syrup as the closest substitute. You can also use honey or maple syrup, but that will add a little of the respective flavors to your margarita.
More Cocktail Recipes
If you tried this Margarita recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
The BEST Margarita Recipe (From a Former Bartender)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila blanco
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz orange liqueur, Cointreau or Triple Sec
- ½ oz agave nectar
Optional Ingredients
- splash of fresh orange juice
- kosher salt rim
- garnish, lime wheel, wedge, or twist
To make a large pitcher with 10 servings:
- 20 oz tequila blanco, 2½ cups
- 10 oz fresh lime juice, 1¼ cups
- 5 oz orange liqueur, about ⅔ cups
- 5 oz agave nectar, about ⅔ cups
- 2 oz fresh orange juice (optional), ¼ cup
Instructions
- If you'd like a salt rim, run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass then dip the rim in coarse kosher salt. Set the glass aside until ready to use.
- In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, combine the tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, agave nectar, and some ice. Optional: add a splash of orange juice.
- Shake vigorously for 5 seconds.
- Taste the margarita for sweetness. You can add more agave nectar if you prefer.
- Strain the margarita over fresh ice into your prepared glass. You can add a lime wheel, wedge, or twist for garnish if you desire.
Notes
- If you’re making a pitcher, combine all ingredients and add 1 cup of ice. Stir until the ice has dissolved, then keep refrigerated until ready to use. Pour over fresh ice.
- My recommendation for the most affordable, widely available, and additive-free tequila, is El Tequileño. Any tequila brand you prefer is perfectly acceptable- drink what you like!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
God bless you, this is amazing
Wow my new go to Margarita!!!!!! This was soooooo great, AMAZING!!!!!