Classic Margarita Recipe

Before you start

The classic margarita is a sour built from tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur, usually served with salt on the rim. It succeeds when the tequila's agave flavor shows through, the lime is fresh and sharp, and the orange liqueur adds sweetness and a little bitterness without making the drink taste like candy.

This recipe uses 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime and about ¾ part orange liqueur, with an optional splash of agave syrup if your limes are especially tart. Use a 100% agave blanco tequila. Salt is part of the balance: it softens bitterness and brightens the lime. Salting only half the rim lets each sip be your choice.

Ingredients

• 60 ml (2 oz) blanco tequila — 100% agave
• 30 ml (1 oz) fresh lime juice
• 22 ml (¾ oz) orange liqueur — such as Cointreau
• 0 to 7.5 ml (0 to ¼ oz) agave syrup — optional, to taste
• 1 tbsp kosher or flaky salt — for the rim
• 1 lime wedge — for the rim and garnish
• 1 cup (about 150 g) ice cubes — for shaking, plus more for serving

Method

1. Spread the salt on a small plate. Run a lime wedge along the outside of half the rim of the glass, then roll that edge in the salt so it sticks only to the outside.
2. Fill the glass with fresh ice if serving on the rocks, or chill a coupe if serving up.
3. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and agave syrup, if using, to the shaker.
4. Fill with ice, seal, and shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds until the tin is frosted.
5. Strain into the prepared glass, over fresh ice or straight up.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge on the unsalted side.

Tips for success

• Salt only the outside of the rim; salt that falls into the drink makes it taste briny.
• Taste after shaking. If it is too sharp, add 5 ml agave syrup to the next one; if too sweet, cut the orange liqueur to 15 ml.
• Flaky or kosher salt sticks better and tastes milder than fine table salt.

Substitutions

Orange liqueur

A brandy-based orange liqueur gives a richer, sweeter drink; reduce to 15 ml. Lower-proof triple sec is sweeter and thinner, so you may skip the agave.

Blanco tequila

Reposado tequila adds vanilla and oak. Mezcal, or half mezcal, gives a smoky margarita.

Lime juice

Bottled lime juice tastes flat and bitter. If fresh limes are unavailable, try a different drink rather than a weak margarita.

Variations

Frozen margarita

Blend the same spec with about 1 cup of ice and 7.5 ml extra agave syrup until smooth.

Spicy margarita

Muddle 2 thin slices of jalapeño in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. Double-strain.

Troubleshooting

It is too sour

Add 5 to 7.5 ml agave syrup, or reduce the lime to 22 ml.

It tastes like candy

Your orange liqueur may be very sweet or you used too much. Cut it to 15 ml and skip the agave.

Salt dissolves into the drink

Salt only the outer edge of the rim and avoid wetting the inside of the glass.

Storage

Serve right away. For a party, mix tequila and orange liqueur ahead, keep them cold, and add lime juice squeezed the same day just before shaking.

Safety notes

Contains 60 ml of tequila and 22 ml of orange liqueur, about 1.8 to 1.9 U.S. standard drinks (one standard drink is about 14 g of pure alcohol). For adults of legal drinking age only; do not drink and drive.