Pin it
This signature tequila cocktail reminds me of balmy evenings spent in coastal Mexico. Tangy citrus works perfectly with smooth tequila, hitting that sweet spot between sour and sweet. I've tweaked the measurements countless times to nail down this unbeatable mix.
Your Go-To Crowd Pleaser
Margaritas have a way of getting everyone mingling. The tangy lime and smooth tequila go hand in hand with any Mexican food you're serving. I can't help but smile watching friends enjoy that first taste at my outdoor get-togethers.
What You Need
- Ice in abundance
- Garnish with extra lime chunks
- Sea salt (coarse) for rimming
- Natural sweetness from agave nectar
- Only squeeze fresh limes, skip the bottle stuff
- Orange flavor from triple sec or Cointreau
- Quality silver tequila - don't cheap out here
Mixing Magic
- Make it Perfect
- Sample and fine-tune, pour in your glass, finish with lime and drink up
- Create Your Cocktail
- Add tequila, citrus juice, orange liqueur and agave to shaker with ice, shake till cold
- Set Up Your Glass
- Coat rim with lime juice, press into salt, load with ice
Spice It Up
My crowd goes wild for a few sliced jalapeños thrown in for kick. Try swapping tequila for smoky mezcal for a twist. During summer months, I love playing with fresh watermelon, mango or strawberries for fruity versions.
Perfect Pairings
These drinks go wonderfully with warm queso, zesty salsa or homemade guacamole. There's nothing better than sipping an icy margarita alongside stuffed nachos or piping hot tacos when the weather's warm.
Pin it
Keep It Fresh
Always mix your drinks just before you plan to serve them. You can squeeze all your limes earlier and store your sweet mix in the fridge. If you've got some left over, they'll stay good for a day - just shake them up again before pouring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What tequila should I pick?
For the best sip, go with 100% agave silver/blanco tequila. It's super clean and smooth.
- → Should I use fresh lime?
Fresh is the way to go! Bottled lime juice just doesn't have that zippy flavor.
- → Which orange liqueur works best?
Top picks are Grand Marnier and Cointreau, but triple sec gets the job done too!
- → Do I need to salt the rim?
It's optional, but it really kicks up the flavor. Coarse salt does it best.
- → Can I mix a big batch?
Absolutely! Scale up the ingredients for more servings. Just add ice right before pouring.