All you need are 3 ingredients to make my favorite margarita recipe! Instructions included for how to make a single serving margarita or pitcher margaritas for a crowd.
This famously sweet, sour and salty drink will forever and always be my all-time favorite cocktail. But while I adore just about any kind of margarita — frozen or on the rocks, tequila or mezcal, fruity or spicy or fizzy or creamy, you name it — a classic margarita cocktail in my book simply cannot be beat.
By contrast to many of the diluted, super-sweet, and sometimes fizzy huge mugs of margaritas that are often served in restaurants around the world nowadays, a traditional margarita is actually a strong, tart cocktail made with three simple ingredients — good-quality tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly-squeezed lime juice. This simple margarita mix is incredibly quick and easy to make, either for a single serving or a larger batch for a crowd. And it is downright delicious served on the rocks, with or without a salted rim.
I have become quite partial over the years to making margaritas with mezcal instead of tequila, which I highly recommend if you love a good smoky cocktail. And if you feel like spicing your drink up a bit, I’ve also included tips below for how to make a spicy salted rim or muddle a few chile peppers into your drink — so good!
Bottom line, if you love margaritas as much as I do, take a moment to read through my tips below and memorize this simple recipe. Then let’s make a round of margaritas together. Cheers!
Margaritas
My favorite margarita recipe is made with just 3 easy ingredients! See instructions below for how to make a single serving or a big pitcher for a party.
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Yield: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)
- 3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- optional sweetener: agave nectar or simple syrup, to taste
- ice
- lime wedge and coarse salt for rimming the glass
- 3 cups silver tequila
- 2 cups orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)
- 1 1/2 cups freshly-squeezed lime juice
- optional sweetener: agave nectar or simple syrup, to taste
- ice
- lime wedges and coarse salt for rimming the glasses
Instruction:
- Run a lime wedge (the juicy part) around the top rim of your serving glass. Fill a shallow bowl or plate with salt, then dip the rim until it is covered with your desired amount of salt. Set aside.
- Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and a few ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Give the mix a taste and stir in a teaspoon or two of sweetener if desired.
- Fill the prepared serving glass with ice. Strain in the margarita mix, garnish with a lime slice, serve and enjoy. Cheers!
Classic Margarita Recipe
This classic margarita recipe is as simple as it gets. When you just want to make a quick and easy margarita for yourself, this is the go-to recipe.
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 254 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Sodium 4 mg, Sugar 16 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Triple Sec
- 1 ounce lime juice (fresh squeezed)
- 2 ounces Tequila
- 1/3 ounce Agave syrup
- 1 cup ice
Instruction:
- Fill up a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add the rest of the margarita ingredients and shake 10-15 seconds.
- Pour the margarita into a glass and garnish with lime wedge (salt the rim beforehand if you want).
The Best Margarita Recipe
The Best Margarita Recipe – Truly the absolute BEST margaritas we’ve ever tasted! Easy homemade margaritas are tangy, slightly sweet and complex in flavor.
Prep: 10min
Total: 10min
Yield: 10
Serving Size: 1 drink
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 drink, calories 300 kcal, Carbohydrate 32 g, Sodium 17 mg, Sugar 29 g
Ingredients:
- 18 ounces Tequila Blanco
- 18 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
- 9 ounces La Belle (or Grand Marnier)
- 8 ounces simple syrup (+ a little extra for glass rims)
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces Triple Sec
- coarse or flake sea salt (for glass rims)
- sliced lime and orange (for garnish)
Instruction:
- Start by making the simple syrup, if you don’t have any on hand. Mix 7 ounces sugar with 7 ounces water. Microwave until the sugar has dissolved. You should have about 9-10 ounces so there will be a little extra for rimming the glasses.
- In a large pitcher, combine all the margarita ingredients. Stir well and chill.
- When ready to serve, pour the remaining simple syrup in a shallow dish. Pour sea salt (or flake salt) in a second shallow dish. Then dip the glass rims in simple syrup, followed by salt.
- Add ice to the glasses if desired, and fill a shaker with ice. Add the margarita mix to the shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds. Pour into glasses. Garnish the glasses with sliced limes or oranges and serve. Ole’!
The BEST Margarita Two Ways!
FAQ
What makes a margarita taste better?
Is triple sec or Cointreau better for margaritas?
What is the best liquor to make margaritas?
What margarita mix do most restaurants use?
