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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Margarita Recipe

    Margarita Recipe

    Published: May 5, 2020 · Modified: Sep 6, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This made from scratch margarita recipe is destined to become your new favorite cocktail because its perfectly smooth with the right balance of sweetness and acid. Enjoy it on the rocks, up, with salt or plain!

    A scratch margarita in a tumbler garnished with a lime wedge.
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    Margarita in a tumbler garnished with lime
    Margarita in a tumbler garnished with lime
    Margarita in a stemmed glass garnished with lime
    Margarita in a stemmed glass garnished with lime
    Margarita in a stemmed glass garnished with lime
    Margarita in a stemmed glass garnished with lime
    Margarita in a tumbler garnished with lime

    Nothing beats a good margarita recipe, and if you follow this one then that’s the only kind you’ll be making and drinking from now on! With this type of cocktail it’s important to use a good tequila but you don’t have to break the bank with a super-expensive one, save that stuff for shots! Make sure to use a nice orange liqueur and fresh lime juice for this drink!

    What You’ll Need For This Recipe

    Ingredients for making a margarita on a counter.

    Orange Liqueur: I love using Cointreau or Grand Marnier for my margaritas. They have a more complex flavor and are not as sweet as triple sec.

    Tequila:  I like using a nice silver tequila but use any one you enjoy. No plastic bottles though please!

    Simple Syrup: You can buy this or make it by bringing equal parts sugar and water to a boil in a pot. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and then remove from the heat and chill. I often infuse my simple syrup with citrus peels or chilis for an extra kick.

    How to Make a Margarita

    Lime juice getting squeezed for a margarita.

    1. Juice the limes; I love using my wooden reamer seen here to juice citrus fruit. If you have extra juice store then store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It will keep for a few days and you can have a quick margarita or some lime aid if the desire strikes. 

    2. Pour salt onto a small plate then run a lime wedge around the top of your glass and dip. I like using big salt flakes but any salt will work. 

    Tequila and lime juice pouring into a copper shaker.

    3. Add ice to a cocktail shaker then pour in the tequila and orange liqueur.

    4. Pour in your lime juice.

    A margarita getting shaken then topped off with soda water.

    5. Give your cocktail shaker a good shake. You’re cooling the drink and melting the ice a bit to water it down, both of which are important!

    6. Pour drink into a glass filled with ice and top off with a dash of soda water. Garnish with a lime slice and there you have a classic margarita.

    two margarita cocktails on the rocks with salt in a tumbler

    Pro Tips for this recipe

    • Always use fresh lime juice
    • This is a drink where every ingredient needs to shine through so use a better quality tequila and a nice orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
    • Scale the recipe up for a big pitcher perfect for a party. Pour into an ice-filler pitcher just before guests arrive and give an occasional stir.
    • If you’re steering clear of refined sugars then substitute the simple syrup with agave syrup.

    A top-down view of a margarita on a wooden cutting board

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Triple Sec needed for margaritas?

    I would say that any classic margarita needs an orange liqueur, however most triple secs are not amazing. I would recommend either Grand Marnier or Cointreau, both or which have a more complex taste with better bitter notes.

    Is Triple Sec simple syrup?

    While both are sweet, triple sec is an orange liqueur with alchohol and simple syrup is just sugar and water. You can make your own simple syrup by boiling equal parts water and sugar then allowing to cool.

    How to make a blended version

    Add in one cup of crushed ice and pulse blender.

    You can make a batch of lime-aide flavored ice by freezing water mixed with lime juice and simple syrup to taste.

    You can also freeze slices of strawberries, mangos or even cherries and blend them in for a fruity twist.

    What Tequila is Best to use?

    I recommend using a silver tequila for this margarita recipe; I love it’s light flavor and smooth finish, which really let the lime and orange liqueur shine through.

    For those or you who love an añejo or reposado tequila then be all means use whichever you prefer best! These aged or rested tequilas have more depth of flavor but are often more expensive; their complexity is best appreciated when sipped straight but they do make a great cocktail too.

    Here are some great brands of tequila for a great margarita. 

    • Milagro
    • Casamigos
    • Don Julio
    • Hornitos
    • Patron
    • Corzo
    • Espolon

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Paloma

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      Strawberry Margarita

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      Cucumber Martini

    • Photo of two gin fizz cocktails on a white marble table

      Gin Fizz Cocktail

    • Two glasses of French martini with lemon garnish on a marble surface.

      French Martini

    If you’ve tried this margarita recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    A margarita on the rocks with salt in a tumbler.
    Print
    5 from 27 votes

    Margarita Recipe

    The BEST margarita from scratch, super smooth with the perfect balance of sweetness and zing, you've gotta try it!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Mexican
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 2 drinks
    Calories 431kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup tequila silver
    • 1/4 cup lime juice fresh
    • 1/4 cup orange liquor Grand Marnier or Cointreau
    • 1/3 cup simple syrup

    Instructions

    For the Margarita

    • To make the simple syrup: add the sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and chill. You can also buy pre-made simple syrup!
    • Add ice, tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and 1/3 cup of the simple syrup to a shaker and shake!
    • Strain and serve in salted glasses over ice. You can add more of the simple syrup for an extra kick/sweetness if desired. 
    • Garnish with a wedge of lime

    Video

    Notes

    • Always use fresh lime juice
    • This is a drink where every ingredient needs to shine through so use a better quality tequila and a nice orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
    • Scale the recipe up for a big pitcher perfect for a party.
    • Check out my SPICY margarita recipe if you like some heat.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 35mg | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin C: 9.1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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