You only need 4 ingredients to make the ultimate Golden Margarita! One sip and you will never drink a mix again.
This Golden Margarita is a simple, tasty classic that needs to go to the top of your must-make list. Once you have one of these, you’ll never go back to the bottled mix again.
This margarita recipe is single-handedly responsible for making Kevin and I margarita snobs. There are few restaurants that we will order one in and be happy with the taste.
But with this killer recipe in our back pocket they are a snap to make at home. And once you try them, you may join the ranks too.
It's no secret we are tequila lovers.
We have many different margarita recipes on Garnish with Lemon with the Blueberry and the Elderflower being two of our favorites.
But sometimes you just need a classic. In my opinion, the best margaritas have a short ingredient list and always use fresh lime juice.
Don't get me wrong, I have used the bottled juice in a pinch, but trust me when I say that juicing the limes is worth every single second.
We always drink our margaritas out of these glasses. No margarita glasses for us. Does anyone else have problems drinking out of a margarita glass? I spill without fail every time I try. And who wants to waste good tequila? Not me. We just salt the rims on these glasses and sip away!
Which of course brings up the big debate: salt or no salt on your margarita. Me? I'm a salt girl. Anna? No salt for her. Salt or no salt, you definitely come out ahead with this margarita recipe in your files.
Golden Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces gold tequila
- 1 ½ ounces Grand Marnier
- 1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ ounces simple syrup
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Kosher salt for rim optional
Instructions
- Run lime wedge around rim of a high ball glass to moisten so salt will stick. Turn glass upside down in salt to coat the edges. Fill with ice.
- Pour tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously to mix and pour over ice in prepared glass. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
I agree wholeheartedly with the use of fresh-squeezed lime juice. That is essential to a good margarita. You can use the best margarita that money can buy, but if you mix it with a sour mix or pre-made margarita mixes that come in a bottle, you're not going to make a very good margarita. I also agree with using Grand Marnier (but Cointreau is also good). However, I do suggest a few variations on the recipe.
First, I would avoid anything actually named "Gold Tequila." They usually contain artificial color and sweetner, and not 100% blue agave. Perhaps you meant reposado tequila which has a gold color? I use 1800 Reposado. It's a very good,100% agave tequila that is inexpensive. You don't have to spend a lot to get a good quality tequila.
Second, I would double up on the tequila in the recipe. I use 2 parts tequila, 1 part Grand Marnier, and 1 part lime juice and only a small amount of sweetener (see below), i.e. 3 oz tequila, 1.5 oz of Grand Marnier, and 1.5 oz of lime juice).
Third, I recommend using agave syrup instead of simple syrup -- but only if needed. Personally, I find that the Grand Marnier / Cointreau makes the margarita sweet enough, but others find it a bit bitter and in need of some sweetness. If needed, I usually add agave to taste. Start off with a little bit (maybe a half of a teaspoon) and adjust accordingly. You can always add more to make it sweeter, but once it's too sweet there's no fixing it then!
I agree that using a cocktail shaker full of ice and shaking vigorously is important. It doesn't come out well if you just mix the ingredients together by stirring.
Cheers!
* I meant to say, "you can use the best 'tequila' money can buy..."