Classic Margarita Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Diet Gluten-Free Classic Margarita

by Lisa Bryan

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Dec 01, 2023

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Margarita! The classicmargaritais a delicious party staple that everyone should know how to whip up. My recipe is easy to make (and easy to remember the ratios), and doesn’t have any added sugar. Enjoy this classic margarita on the rocks or frozen.

Want some healthy munchies while you’re sipping your margarita? I highly recommend my guacamole, ceviche, and pico de gallo recipes. So yum!

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Margaritas are the ultimate party co*cktail. But they’re especially popular when Cinco de Mayo hits. The beautiful spring weather in May is a good reminder that it’s time to sit outside, drink a margarita, and relax.

Then when summer arrives, it’s time to grill up some carne asada (or make a large batch of carnitas) and whip up a pitcher of margaritas for the family. That’s how we roll in Southern California in the summer.

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Margarita Ingredients

To make this classic margarita you’ll need tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur (also known as triple sec). While a classic margarita is quite easy on its own, I wanted to simplify the recipe even further with an easy to remember 2-1-1 ratio.

  • 2 oz of tequila
  • 1 oz of lime juice
  • 1 oz of orange liqueur

How to Make a Classic Margarita

Salt the rim of your margarita (if you’d like). You can purchase a coarser saltonline or at the grocery or liquor store. Generously spread the salt on a plate large enough for the rim of the glass. Run a slice of lime around the rim of your glass. Then place the rim in the plate of salt.

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Mix the ingredients together. Shake or stir the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur together. Alternatively, you can triple or quadruple the recipe in a blender along with ice to make a slushy, frozen margarita.

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Pour and enjoy! Pour your classic margarita into your glass over some ice (on the rocks), and you’re all set!

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Common Questions

What type of tequila to use?

I use a reposado tequila which is aged in a barrel two months to just under a year. Reposado is often considered the perfect tequila for margaritas. Two other types of tequila are joven and añejo. Joven is lighter, aged less than reposado, and cheaper. Whileañejo is darker, aged over a year, and is more expensive.

Which orange liqueur is best?

Orange liqueur is essentially vodka sweetened with sugar and orange peels. There are many brands of this liqueur on the market, but the most common brands are Cointreau, Curaçao and Grand Marnier.

For this margarita recipe I used Cointreau. It’s the most commonly used, and best orange liqueur for margaritas.

The other two brands are a little different despite their orange liqueur label. Cointreau is considered a triple sec liqueur due to its French origins and mix of sweet and bitter oranges. Curaçao comes from the Dutch Caribbean island of the same name and is considered both a brand and type of orange liqueur. Due to its tropical origins, the oranges for this liqueur are sweeter which is why its not considered a triple sec. Also, from France, Grand Marnier is considered a triple sec and Curaçao hybrid. Unlike the previous brands mentioned, its orange flavor is mixed with cognac.

Delicious Recipes to Enjoy with Margaritas

  • Shrimp Tacos– Pan seared shrimp is topped with the tastiest cilantro lime bacon slaw.
  • Barbacoa – This slow cooker recipe delivers tender shreds of juicy, spicy beef.
  • Carne Asada Tacos – Diced carne asada is topped with guacamole, cilantro, onions, and cotija cheese.
  • Steak Fajitas – Sizzling steak and veggies is always a one pan winner.
  • Grilled Fish Tacos – Grilled white fish is topped with a light and fresh citrus carrot slaw.
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More Margarita Flavors

Looking to switch up your margarita recipe? Give these flavor variations a try. They’re perfect for every season!

  • Strawberry Margarita – One of the most popular blended margaritas.
  • Mango Margarita – The fresh mango takes this over the top!
  • Pomegranate Margarita – A festive holiday margarita.

I hope you enjoyed this margarita recipe! If you give it a try, let us know in the comment bow below how it turned out. Your review will help other readers!

Classic Margarita Recipe | Downshiftology (8)

Classic Margarita Recipe

4.88 from 24 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 serving

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Description

The classicmargarita is easy to make with tequila, triple sec and lime juice. It's also easy to remember with a 2:1:1 ratio. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Salt the glass. If you'd like a salt-rimmed glass, slice a lime into quarters and rub one of the quarters along the rim of a glass. Spread margarita salt onto a small plate and turn the glass upside down into the salt. The salt should stick to the rim.

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  • Mix it together. To make the margarita, add the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice to a co*cktail shaker with ice. Give it a few shakes.Alternatively, you can stir all of the ingredients together in a glass.

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  • Serve. Add ice to your glass, then pour the margarita into the glass. Garnish with lime wedges.

    Classic Margarita Recipe | Downshiftology (11)

Lisa’s Tips

  • Make sure to use fresh limes for the lime juice and not bottled lime juice. The flavor difference is huge.
  • If you’re making a large batch and serving margaritas outdoors, I recommend this break resistant pitcher(and it’s big!).

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Course: co*cktails

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: How to Make a Margarita, Margarita, Margarita Recipe

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted May 2019, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Classic Margarita Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

What is a classic margarita made of? ›

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

Is Cointreau or triple sec better in margarita? ›

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

Do you need triple sec for margaritas? ›

Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that is commonly used in margaritas. If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

What is a classic margarita? ›

Part of the 'sour' co*cktail family, the Margarita traditionally consists of three ingredients; tequila, triple sec orange liqueur and lime juice, often served in a glass with salt on the rim.

Is Grand Marnier or triple sec better for a margarita? ›

Can they replace Triple Sec? Both Grand Marnier and Cointreau are excellent replacements for Triple Sec when making a Margarita. In fact, both of these are significantly more expensive and are considered to be better than inexpensive Triple Sec both in quality and taste.

What margarita mix do most restaurants use? ›

Lasco was there from the beginning, perfecting a margarita mix that helped make restaurants and food service operators famous the world over. The Lasco margarita is the perfect blend of lemon and lime, sweet and sour, And our natural ingredients will not leave an aftertaste like other mixes.

Why do people add triple sec to margaritas? ›

Triple sec, a term used interchangeably with curaçao, is a type of orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors as well as sweet and bitter notes — all of which are essential for a well-made Margarita. Popular labels include Cointreau, Combier, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, and Grand Marnier.

Can I use Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau in a margarita? ›

Cointreau and Grand Marnier have quite a bit in common, and in a pinch you can certainly substitute between the two. If you do, expect the flavor profile to change. Cointreau will make the drink lighter and brighter, with a stronger citrus aroma. Grand Marnier will bring weight and oaky sweetness.

What is the ratio of tequila to margarita mix? ›

The traditional margarita recipe is made with a ratio of 2:1:1, which means: 2 parts tequila or 2 oz. 1 part triple sec or 1 oz. 1 part lime juice or 1 oz.

What is the best orange liqueur to put in a margarita? ›

Margarita Ingredients:

I swear by this citrus juicer, which makes juicing a breeze and comes in especially handy if you are making a large batch. Orange liqueur: Cointreau is my go-to, but Grand Marnier is also delicious or you can use a good-quality Triple Sec.

Why is it called a dirty margarita? ›

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

What is in a skinny girl margarita? ›

Made from premium Blue Agave Silver Tequila (yes, please) and lightly sweetened with agave nectar, the original Skinnygirl® Margarita is STILL delicious and low-calorie (really?). Yes, really. Serve this refreshingly light low-calorie Margarita in a fun glass rimmed with salt, and you and your girls are good to go!

What is the best mix for margarita? ›

A good tequila, a bottle of triple sec, and a couple of ripe limes are all you need to make a classic margarita that tastes more natural than any store-bought mix ever will.

What does a margarita drink contain? ›

By contrast to many of the diluted, super-sweet, and sometimes fizzy huge mugs of margaritas that are often served in restaurants around the world nowadays, a traditional margarita is actually a strong, tart co*cktail made with three simple ingredients — good-quality tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly-squeezed lime ...

Is triple sec and Cointreau the same thing? ›

While Grand Marnier and Cointreau are brand names of specific products, Triple Sec is actually a category in and of itself. Many brands make Triple Sec — in fact, Cointreau itself is a triple sec. The alcohol content in different types of Triple Sec vary quite a bit – from about 15 percent to as much as 40 percent.

What is the main alcohol in a margarita? ›

Image of What is the main alcohol in a margarita?
Tequila is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila 65 km northwest of Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco.
Wikipedia

What is triple sec in a margarita? ›

Triple Sec is both a liquor and a category

Here's what to know: Triple Sec is the name for a category of dry orange liqueurs: it translates to “triple dry” in French. The other family of orange liqueurs is Curacao, which are sweeter (and sometimes blue, in the case of the Blue Margarita!).

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