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    Home » Tequila » Classic Margarita Recipe

    Published: May 24, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Classic Margarita Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    short glasses filled with drink and a salted rim.
    filled glasses garnished with limes and salted rims.
    glass filled with drinks on table with limes and salt.

    There is nothing better than a really good margarita. When you shake up this Classic Margarita for your next happy hour, you can be sure that everyone will want the recipe. You can have margs at the ready in less than 15 minutes! They are so good, you'll never buy a bottled mix again!

    2 low ball glasses filled with ice and margaritas with a salted rim this recipe

    Tacos and Tequila are made for each other and nothing gives Taco Tuesday a better upgrade than this Classic Margarita recipe.

    These cocktails are so easy to make at home you don't need to save them for special occasions!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Margarita Recipes
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    This recipe only uses 3 key ingredients. It goes without saying that it is essential to use the highest quality possible.

    Margarita ingredients including tequila bottle, cointreau bottle and lime half.
    • Tequila - We use silver tequila for this drink. Smooth tequila makes such a big difference. and make sure it is 100% agave.
    • Lime juice - You absolutely must use fresh lime juice. The bottled juice is too bitter and you can easily tell the difference so don’t even try and sub it in. Not even maybe. Fresh lime juice is a snap to get when you use this reamer. It’s a workhorse in my kitchen. 
    • Orange Liqueur - We use either Cointreau or Triple Sec in our classic margs. We also love the orange forward flavor you get with Drillaud Triple Sec. Their line of liqueurs is always a solid choice. 

    Pro tip: Drillaud's elderflower liqueur is also one of our go-to liqueurs. Not familiar with elderflower? Check out our complete guide to elderflower liqueur and learn all about it!

    Instructions

    classic margarita steps 1 and 2

    Rim glass with salt. Add ice to glass and set aside.

    classic margarita steps 3-5

    Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add margarita ingredients to shaker and shake. Margaritas are best ice cold. So shake, shake and then shake some more.

    classic margarita steps 6 and 7.

    Strain into salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy immediately.

    Single low ball glass with a salted rim filled with margarita and a lime wedge for garnish.

    FAQs

    What is the difference between a Golden Margarita and a Classic Margarita?


    The biggest difference is a golden margarita uses gold tequila, Grand Marnier and simple syrup while a classic margarita uses silver tequila and Cointreau or triple sec.

    Can I make this a frozen margarita?


    We prefer our margs on the rocks but you absolutely can make them frozen. Just add the ingredients and a cup of ice to a blender and blend until ice is crushed. Serve in a salted glass and garnish with a lime.

    How do you make a batch of margaritas?


    In a large pitcher, add 3 cups of tequila, 2 cups of triple sec or orange liqueur and one cup of lime juice. Stir and serve over ice in salted glasses.

    A close up of a margarita.

    Serving Suggestions

    It's easy to come up with food that compliments a margarita. Check out some of our favorite Tex Mex treats.

    • Why pick between pico and guac when you can have them both with this easy Pico Guacamole.
    • Get a double dose of tequila with these lip smacking Tequila Lime Chicken Fajitas.
    • This Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa is so authentic, you don't get to get take out to enjoy your favorite restaurant salsa at home.
    • What is happy hour without chips and salsa? This homemade salsa is one of our favorites.
    Top down image of salt rimmed glasses filled with margaritas.

    More Margarita Recipes

    It's no secret that we love a good margarita. We have 10 different margarita recipes on our site. Here are a few of our faves.

    • Short salt rimmed glasses filled with margaritas. Blood oranges for garnish.
      Blood Orange Margaritas
    • Grapefruit Margarita in a chili rimmed lowball glass.
      Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    single low ball glass with a salted rim filled with margarita and a lime wedge for garnish

    Classic Margarita Recipe

    Garnish With Lemon
    Classic Margaritas are always a crowd favorite. Learn how easy they are to make at home with this simple, 3-ingredient recipe.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Tequila
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 399 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Citrus Juicer
    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 ounces silver tequila
    • 2 ounces orange liqueur
    • 1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice
    • lime wedges for garnish
    • kosher salt

    Instructions
     

    • Salt rim of the glass, fill with ice and set aside.
    • Fill a shaker with ice. Add tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice to shaker. Shake for 20-30 seconds.
    • Strain contents of shaker into prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Be sure that your tequila is 100% agave.
    • You can use Cointreau or triple sec for the orange liqueur
    • Use fresh lime juice for a smoother drink, it makes a world of difference!
    How to salt the rims of the glasses:
    Pour kosher salt on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and invert glass onto plate so the salt sticks to the juiced rim.
    To make frozen margaritas:
    Just add the ingredients and a cup of ice to a blender and blend until ice is crushed. Serve in a salted glass and garnish with a lime.
    To make a batch of margaritas:
    In a large pitcher, add 3 cups of tequila, 2 cups of triple sec or orange liqueur and one cup of lime juice. Stir and serve over ice in salted glasses.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ouncesCalories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1gSodium: 585mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

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    MEET LISA AND ANNA

    We're the creative juices behind Garnish with Lemon. In the past 10 years, millions of people have sipped & snacked on our recipes. Need easy, delicious party food and drinks for your next shindig? You’ve come to the right place.

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