Margarita

A good Margarita needs no frills: just high-quality tequila, triple sec, and the freshest citrus juice. Simple syrup is optional, and use a blend of lemon and lime for deeper flavors.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Mexican

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings cocktails (8 oz each)

Calories 369kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

8 ounces tequila (1 cup, see note 1)
8 ounces triple sec (1 cup, see note 2)
6 ounces fresh lemon juice from about 4 lemons (3/4 cup)
6 ounces fresh lime juice from about 6 limes (3/4 cup)
4 ounces water (1/2 cup)
2 ounces simple syrup optional (1/4 cup, see note 3)
1/2 cup Margarita salt or kosher salt (see note 4)
4 Lime wedges for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a small pitcher, add tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, lime juice, water, and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
In a shallow dish as wide as your serving glass, add Margarita salt (or kosher salt) to 1/4-inch deep. Run a lime wedge around the top of each glass, then dip the top of the glass upside-down into the salt and turn to coat.
Fill each rimmed glass about half full with ice. Add margarita mixture, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.

Notes

Tequila: Tequila blanco is lighter in body and perfect for making cocktails like this one. Tequila reposado (which means “rested” and is aged in oak for at least 2 months) is ideal for sipping.
Triple sec: Or any orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
Simple syrup: To make it yourself, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved (do not boil). Remove from heat and cool before adding 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) to your cocktail shaker with the other ingredients. Store leftover simple syrup covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Margarita salt: Homemade margarita salt is fun to make when you’re feeling extra. Or, use kosher salt or even sugar.
Yield: This recipe makes a batch of 4 cocktails, 8 ounces each.
Glassware: A Margarita glass is the classic choice, but I love how approachable a lowball glass is for happy hour.
Bigger batch: To make a larger batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) tequila, 16 ounces (2 cups) triple sec, 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) lemon juice, 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) lime juice, 8 ounces (1 cup) water, and 4 ounces (1/2 cup) simple syrup in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, a salt-rimming station, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
Frozen margarita: Add ice to your blender to taste and blend until slushy (I like about 5 cups of ice).

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