The classic margarita recipe! This isn’t just any cocktail; it’s a legend in its own right. Made from straightforward ingredients it’s a recipe that has stood the test of time. But don’t let its simplicity fool you. Whether you’re throwing a huge bash or just kicking back on a random Tuesday, the classic margarita always hits the spot. It’s the kind of drink that never goes out of style, making it the ideal choice for pretty much any occasion you can think of. So, why settle for anything less?

Classic margarita on the rocks in a margarita glass with salted rim and limes surrounding it.

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Why You’ll Love Making a Margarita

Easy to Make: A margarita recipe doesn’t require a culinary degree, just a few simple ingredients and a shaker.
Customizable: The beauty of a margarita is that it can be tailored to individual taste preferences, be it sweet, tart, or spicy.
Party-Friendly: Whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a fancy dinner, margaritas fit into almost any social setting.
Variety: From classic lime to exotic fruits like mango and passionfruit, the flavor options are endless.
Instant Vacation: One sip and you’re mentally transported to a beach, making it an escape in a glass.

What’s in a Margarita?

A classic margarita on the rocks is made from just 3 ingredients:

Tequila
Triple sec or Cointreau
Freshly squeezed lime juice (If you only have fresh lemon juice, then why not try our lemon margarita instead?)

Some people add agave syrup or agave nectar, but we prefer this simple, perfectly balanced margarita recipe.

Basic margarita ingredients triple sec orange liqueur, tequila and fresh lime juice.

How To Make a Margarita, Step-By-Step Instructions

First, you’ll have to make your salted rim. Sprinkle kosher salt on a small plate, then rum a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, place the rim down onto the salted plate, and swirl until the rim is evenly coated.

Fill a shaker with ice cubes and then add tequila, triple sec (or Cointreau), and lime juice.

Secure the lid on your cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for around 20 seconds.

Now, put a handful of ice cubes in your glass and, using a strainer, pour your margarita mix into your glass.

Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, serve to your guests, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Use Quality Tequila: Opt for a good-quality, 100% agave tequila for a smoother and more authentic taste.
Fresh is Best: Always use fresh-squeezed lime juice rather than bottled stuff to elevate the flavors.
Get the Ratio Right: A balanced margarita typically follows the 2:1:1 ratio—two parts tequila, one part lime juice, and one part sweetener.
Fine-Tune Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness by playing with the amount of simple syrup or agave nectar you add.
Shake It Up: Use a cocktail shaker to combine the ingredients and give it a good shake to properly mix and chill the drink.
Presentation Counts: Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge to make your homemade margarita not just tasty but visually appealing as well.

How Do I Make a Salted Rim for a Margarita?

Some people are put off by the salted rim; they think it’s difficult to make, but that’s not the case – it’s so easy!

All you have to do is place kosher salt on a flat surface, wipe the rim with a fresh lime wedge, and then swirl the rim in the salt – simple!

Process shot for making margarita salted rim, wipe with fresh lime juice from wedge, swirl in salt and admire.

You can even buy margarita salt, which is in a round tub that you can simply swirl your rim straight into, but it’s more cost-effective to do it our way.

What Are the Different Types of Margarita?

There are three ways that you can make a margarita.

Straight up – while you shake your margaritas with ice in the shaker, there’s no ice in your drink.
On the rocks – the margaritas are served over ice – this classic margarita recipe is an ‘on the rocks’ version.
Frozen – a frozen margarita is made in the blender with ice cubes and, when blended has a consistency like a slush puppy.

Two classic margaritas, in cactus margarita glasses, with lime wedges.

What’s the Best Tequila for a Margarita?

We’ve used tequila reposado for its smooth flavor, but you could use tequila Blanco too.

Buy a mid-priced tequila; you don’t want entry-level tequila, but equally, you don’t want to use top-shelf tequila in a classic margarita recipe, either.

And if you don’t like tequila, want to mix it up a little and have vodka to hand, why not try this refreshing vodka margarita?

Do I Need Triple SEC To Make a Margarita?

You could use either triple sec or Cointreau to make a margarita.

They are both an orange liqueur; Cointreau is smoother, higher in alcohol content, and more expensive than triple sec.

Use whatever your budget permits.

Can I Use Orange Juice Instead of Orange Liqueur?

If you don’t have an orange liqueur like Triple Sec or Cointreau, then it is possible to use orange juice instead.

If you’re going to use orange juice, then make sure you use freshly squeezed orange juice to maximize the freshest flavors.

It’ll work well if you are looking to make a margarita with less alcohol in it.

Classic margarita on the rocks, freshly made from the best margarita recipe.

Can I Use a Margarita Mix?

Ok, we’re just going to put it out there and say… NO!

Please don’t use a margarita mix, not only do they use a whole lot of sugar in the mix, but you also just don’t get that wonderful zingy lime flavor popping out throughout the drink.

Freshly squeezed lime juice is a must, and our margarita recipe is seriously easy, so why would you want to compromise on flavor?

What Equipment Will I Need?

You’ll need 4 items to make this margarita recipe.

Cocktail shaker
Jigger
Hawthorne strainer
Margarita glass

Can I Scale This Margarita Recipe Up?

Yes, you can!

They make perfect party cocktails, go to our recipe card below and input how many servings you’d like, and it’ll instantly calculate the margarita ingredients for you.

It’s easy to make a pitcher of margarita, keep it chilling in the fridge, and serve when needed.

Classic margarita close up with a cactus in the background.

More Margarita Recipes You’ll Love

Lemon margarita
Classic margarita – this lime-fueled
Fruity watermelon margarita
Passion fruit margarita
Frozen strawberry margarita

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Easy Classic Margarita Recipe (3 Ingredients)

With just three ingredients, tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec orange liqueur, we show you how easy it is to make a classic margarita, worthy of a top bartender. This is the best margarita recipe, and you can make it at home. Perfect for a summer party or BBQ, for cocktail hour, or for enjoying at

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Servings

Calories83

Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Jane Chapman

Utensils

Cocktail shaker

Jigger

Hawthorne strainer

Ingredients

For the salted rim

Kosher salt
2 Lime wedge

For the margarita

Ice cubes
2 oz Tequila reposado
1 oz Lime juice
¾ oz Triple sec

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

For the salted rim

First, you'll have to make your salted rim. Sprinkle kosher salt on a small plate, then rum a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, place the rim down onto the salted plate and swirl until the rim is evenly coated
Kosher salt, 2 Lime wedge

For the margarita

Fill a shaker with ice cubes and then add tequila and lime juice
Add triple sec and then secure the lid on your cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for around 20 seconds
Now put a handful of ice cubes in your glass and, using a strainer, pour your margarita mix into your glass
Garnish with a lime wedge, serve to your guests and enjoy!
2 Lime wedge

Notes

Use Quality Tequila: Opt for a good-quality, 100% agave tequila for a smoother and more authentic taste.
Fresh is Best: Always use fresh-squeezed lime juice rather than bottled stuff to elevate the flavors.
Get the Ratio Right: A balanced margarita typically follows the 2:1:1 ratio—two parts tequila, one part lime juice, and one part sweetener.
Fine-Tune Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness by playing with the amount of simple syrup or agave nectar you add.
Shake It Up: Use a cocktail shaker to combine the ingredients and give it a good shake to properly mix and chill the drink.
Presentation Counts: Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge to make your homemade margarita not just tasty but visually appealing as well.

Nutrition

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

We hope that you love making our classic margarita and our margarita recipes and would love to hear how you got on with them.

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