Classic Margarita Cocktail
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The classic Margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It’s also one of the easiest cocktails to craft at home with just three ingredients and no special bar tools.
Who doesn’t have a Margarita story?
Most of those stories involve imbibing Margaritas in bars, on beach vacations or during Cinco de Mayo parties (a celebration that grew in popularity, fueled by beer and liquor company promotions, during the 1980s).
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Crafting classic Margaritas requires no unique skills. Instead, the key is to commit the drink’s ingredient ratio to memory.
What Is a Classic Margarita?
A classic Margarita isn’t fruity-tooty. It’s not crafted with Margarita mix and it doesn’t have an ingredient list as long as your arm.
Instead, a classic Margarita is a shaken sour cocktail crafted with just three ingredients: tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Some mixologists, including us, choose to salt the cocktail’s glass. It’s an optional yet essential add-on.
Discover more sour cocktails.
Crafting a classic Margarita at home is all about the ingredient ratio.
Our Margarita recipe uses a 2:1:1 ratio of tequila, triple sec and lime juice to achieve a balanced sip. You can go heavier on the tequila or lighter on the lime juice, but, at the end of the day, it’s all about personal preference.
To us, the 2:1:1 ratio hits the inimitable Margarita flavor sweet spot where sour lime, sweet orange and earthy agave combine to create a drink better than the sum of its parts.
History of the Margarita
You might think that the Margarita was invented in Mexico and you’re probably right. Unless you’re wrong. Yes, the Margarita is another cocktail whose history is a mystery.
Although the Margarita is associated with America’s neighbor to the south, it’s unclear where the first Margarita was crafted. Cities like Ensenada, Juárez and Tijuana are top contenders for the honor. However, what is clear is the drink’s popularity.
The tequila cocktail was popular long before Michael Madsen whipped up a frozen version in Kill Bill Volume 2 in 2004 or when the movie Practical Magic made “Midnight Margaritas” a thing in 1988. It even predates Jimmy Buffett lamenting his lost shaker of salt in 1977 by decades.
Ingredients
The classic Margarita recipe only requires the following ingredients:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
Two of the classic Margarita’s ingredients are liquors – blanco (white) tequila and triple sec. While you can and should use your favorite brands, we use Jose Cuervo Especial tequila made with blue agave and Cointreau in our recipe.
Distilled in Mexico, Jose Cuervo Especial tequila has a 38% ABV. Although it’s not the best tequila for sipping, the entry-level tequila is just fine for crafting cocktails.
Discover more tequila cocktails.
And while there’s nothing wrong with Grand Marnier and Orange Curaçao, Cointreau is our favorite triple sec. Made in France, the balanced liqueur has a 40% ABV.
Discover more Cointreau cocktails.
How to Craft a Classic Margarita
You have a decision to make before you craft your classic Margarita. Do you want a salt rim or not? If you’re on the fence, we say go for it. It’s an easy move that provides big briny returns.
Making a salt rim is easy. Just rub a lime wedge along the rim and then dip your glass onto a plate topped with salt. Swirl the glass in the salt before setting it aside to dry.
Once you make your salt rim (or not), measure the two liquors and pour them directly into a shaker. We use a Japanese jigger for this step to both ensure accurate measurements and minimize spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Pour the fresh lime juice into the same shaker.
Pro Tip
Although you could hypothetically use store-bought lime juice, there’s nothing better than using the fresh stuff.
Add ice and shake until the ingredients are chilled and combined. This step should take 10 to 20 seconds.
Strain the shaken cocktail into an ice-filled glass of your choice.
Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.
Variations
Once you perfect this easy classic Margarita recipe, the options for modifying it are practically endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started on a quest for your favorite version:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Classic Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- coarse salt (for salt rim)
- 1 lime wedge (for salt rim)
- ice cubes
- 1 lime wedge or wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pour coarse salt on a small round plate.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and then dip the glass into the salt, twirling the glass until the rim is well coated. Set the glass aside.
- Combine tequila, triple sec and lime juice in a shaker.
- Add several ice cubes and shake vigorously until liquids are chilled and mixed.
- Add ice to the coated glass and then strain the shaken cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Margarita was probably invented in Mexico. However, the classic tequila’s exact history is a mystery.
The Classic Margarita is a shaken sour cocktail crafted with just three ingredients – tequila, triple sec and lime juice.
Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Coarse Salt (for rim), Lime Wedge (for rim), Lime Wheel (for garnish) and Ice Cubes
The Classic Margarita is shaken, not stirred.
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