Margarita Recipe Card for a Classic Lime Cocktail

A margarita is a Mexican cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice, usually served over ice with a salted rim. This balanced version adds a little agave syrup to round out the citrus; you can adjust the sweetness to suit your taste. Margarita recipes vary, and the drink’s precise origins are disputed.

Ingredients

4 oz (120 ml) blanco tequila
2 oz (60 ml) orange liqueur, such as triple sec or Cointreau
2 oz (60 ml) fresh lime juice, usually from 2 medium limes
½ oz (15 ml) agave syrup, or more to taste
2 cups (about 270 g) ice, plus extra for serving
1 tbsp (15 g) coarse kosher salt, for the rims
1 medium lime (about 60 g), cut into 4 wedges for rimming and garnish

Use a jigger or measuring spoons for the liquids so the citrus, tequila, and sweetener stay in balance. Blanco tequila gives a bright agave flavor, while reposado tequila brings a softer, lightly oaked note. Choose an orange liqueur you enjoy sipping: different bottles vary in sweetness, so taste the finished mixture before adding extra syrup.

Instructions

Prepare the glasses. Spread the salt on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the outside edge of each glass, then dip or roll the damp edge in the salt. Turn the glasses upright so salt does not fall into the drink. For a half-salted rim, coat only one side of each glass, which lets guests choose each sip.
Measure the cocktail. Add the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker. If you do not have a shaker, use a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Stir briefly to loosen thicker agave syrup before adding the ice.
Shake with ice. Add the 2 cups of ice, close the shaker securely, and shake briskly for about 15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold. Shaking chills the drink and adds a little water from melting ice, which softens the sharpness of the spirits and citrus. Avoid a short, gentle shake that leaves the mixture warm and overly concentrated.
Taste and adjust. Strain a small sip into a glass or spoon. If it tastes too tart, stir in another ¼ oz (7 ml) of agave syrup; if it is too sweet, add a little more lime juice. Small adjustments make a noticeable difference, so add gradually and taste again rather than pouring in a large amount at once.
Pour and garnish. Fill the prepared glasses with fresh ice and strain the margarita evenly between them. Garnish each with a lime wedge and serve immediately, before the ice dilutes the drink further.

Tips

Start with fresh lime. Bottled juice can taste flatter or more bitter than freshly squeezed juice. Roll room-temperature limes firmly under your palm before cutting to help release the juice. If bottled juice is your only option, use it sparingly and taste before adding the full amount.
Adjust for your orange liqueur. Some triple sec is sweeter than other orange liqueurs. Make the recipe as written, taste it, and then adjust the agave. If you leave out the syrup, expect a sharper, less rounded cocktail; if your liqueur is especially dry, you may want a little extra.
Keep salt on the rim, not in the shaker. Salt in the liquid can quickly make the whole drink taste salty. Coarse kosher salt is easy to handle, but flaky sea salt also works. Fine table salt is much saltier by volume and sticks heavily, so use a lighter coating if that is what you have.
Use cold, solid ice. Ice that has been sitting out and partially melted can water down the drink before it is properly chilled. Shake with fresh ice, then strain over new ice in the serving glasses. A leakproof jar works in place of a shaker, but hold its lid firmly while shaking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the margaritas as soon as they are poured, in lowball glasses or traditional margarita glasses. The salt rim and lime wedge are useful as well as decorative: the salt gives each sip a savory contrast, while a squeeze of the garnish adds a fresh citrus note. Offer extra lime wedges and a small dish of salt so guests can tailor their rims.

For a casual meal, margaritas pair well with tacos, grilled vegetables, quesadillas, or dishes with bright chile and citrus flavors. If serving food with a strong chile heat, keep the cocktail balanced rather than making it excessively sour or sweet. Put out water and nonalcoholic options as well. This drink is for adults of legal drinking age; drink responsibly.

Variations

Spicy margarita: Add 2 thin slices of fresh jalapeño to the shaker before shaking. For gentler heat, remove the seeds and shake briefly; for more heat, muddle the slices lightly first. Strain well so the drink has a clean texture. Jalapeños vary in strength, so start with less than you think you need.
Tommy’s-style margarita: Replace the orange liqueur with an additional 1 oz (30 ml) agave syrup, then begin with 2 oz (60 ml) lime juice and adjust to taste. This makes a sweeter, more agave-forward drink without the orange flavor. Because the proportions change, taste before serving and add a little lime if it feels heavy.
Frozen margarita: Put the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup, and about 2½ cups (roughly 340 g) ice in a blender. Blend until smooth, adding a little more ice for a thicker texture or a small splash of water if the blender needs help moving. Serve right away; a frozen drink will melt quickly at room temperature.
Reposado or smoky version: Substitute reposado tequila in the same amount for a rounder, oakier taste. For a smoky variation, replace up to 1 oz (30 ml) of the tequila with mezcal. Mezcal can be assertive, so keeping it to a partial substitution preserves the lime and orange notes.

Storage and Reheating

A margarita is best made and served fresh, because ice begins diluting it as soon as it is poured. For convenience, combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate the mixture for up to 24 hours. Refrigerate it within 2 hours of mixing, and keep the ice, salted rims, and garnishes separate. Shake the chilled mixture with fresh ice just before serving.

If you have already shaken more than you need, strain the leftover liquid into a clean, covered container and refrigerate it promptly. Use it within 24 hours for the freshest lime flavor; it may still be drinkable after that, but the citrus can lose its brightness. Do not store the cocktail with ice, since melting will weaken it. There is no reheating step for this cold drink. Discard any portion that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tequila for a margarita?

Blanco tequila is a reliable choice because its clean agave flavor works well with lime and orange liqueur. Reposado is also a good option if you prefer a smoother, lightly oaked character. Choose a 100% agave tequila when available, and avoid using a tequila whose flavor you dislike on its own.

Can I make a margarita without a cocktail shaker?

Yes. Add the ingredients and ice to a clean jar with a secure, leakproof lid, close it firmly, and shake for about 15 seconds. A jar may be heavier or less comfortable to hold than a shaker, so keep both hands on it and check that the lid is tight before shaking. You can also stir the ingredients with ice, though the result will generally be less aerated.

How do I make the cocktail less sour?

First, add agave syrup ¼ oz (7 ml) at a time, tasting after each addition. If the drink still seems too sharp, check that you measured the lime juice and orange liqueur accurately; a small imbalance can change the flavor. A sweeter orange liqueur may also mean you need less syrup next time.

Can I make a pitcher for a group?

Yes. Multiply each liquid ingredient by the number of servings and combine them in a covered pitcher without ice. Refrigerate the mixture, ideally for no more than 24 hours, and stir before serving because the sweetener can settle. Shake individual portions with ice for the freshest result, or stir the pitcher with ice just before pouring, knowing that it will dilute as it sits.

Can I use bottled lime juice?

You can, although fresh lime juice usually gives the cocktail a brighter, more fragrant taste. Bottled juice varies by product, so begin with slightly less than the recipe calls for, mix and taste, then add more if needed. If the flavor tastes dull, a fresh lime wedge squeezed into the drink can help restore some of its citrus character.

More recipes to cook

Safety notes: safe minimum internal temperatures from USDA FSIS; raw and undercooked fish guidance from the U.S. FDA. Food safety notes

Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it (corrections policy).