How to Make a Margarita – The BEST Recipe!

Why You Should Shake Up This Classic Margarita Recipe

• Covering the classics. We’re covering everything you need to know, from the ingredients in a classic margarita and easy substitutes.
• One margarita, 3 ways. I’ll show you how to make margaritas on ice, in a pitcher for your next party, and how to make a frozen margarita in the blender!
• Embrace your inner bartender. Once you’ve mastered this classic margarita recipe, there are so many easy variations to try. Make a spicy margarita, try a skinny margarita, and more.

Margarita Ingredients

This classic margarita recipe uses traditional ingredients, and I’ve included notes below on what you’ll need. For the exact amounts needed for each ingredient, scroll to the recipe card below the post.

• Tequila: The biggest thing I can’t emphasize enough, is that the better the tequila you use, the better your drink will be. A good tequila will make your margarita taste that much smoother. My favorite tequila brands for margaritas include Don Julio, Patron Silver, and Herradura.
• Orange Liqueur: Popular brands are Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Triple Sec.
• Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is a must. Don’t use bottled lime juice; your margarita won’t taste the same.
• Orange Juice: Adding a splash of orange juice is optional, and not a traditional margarita ingredient. I’ve found it smooths out the tang from the lime juice and bite you can sometimes get from tequila.
• Sweetener: Many recipes use a homemade simple syrup. However, I prefer to just use agave. After all, tequila and agave come from the same plant!

Helpful Tools

You don’t need much to make margaritas at home. You can always make due with your hands, a shot glass for measuring, and a mason jar for shaking! If you plan on preparing a lot of margaritas and other cocktails, however, these are the tools that I’ve found helpful to have on hand:

• Liquid Measuring Tools: A shot glass or a jigger to measure the liquid is great. If you are making it in pitcher form, I’d recommend a regular measuring cup.
• Citrus Squeezer: Because you will be using fresh-squeezed limes instead of a mix, you’ll definitely want to have a lime squeezer on hand. It’s a lifesaver, trust me.
• Cocktail Shaker: To really get that shaken foamy effect, pouring all of your ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, then pouring into a glass, is key! It’s not quite the same as just stirring it around.
• Cocktail Rimmer: This isn’t mandatory, but it is helpful. If you like to put salt on the rim of your margarita, this helpful gadget is nice to have and makes it’s way easier to salt the rim of your glass. Otherwise, you can do it the old-fashioned way. 
• Pitcher: If you’re making it in a pitcher, you’ll need a large glass pitcher as well as a long bar spoon to stir everything together for a good, smooth margarita.

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How to Make a Classic Margarita

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1. Mix ingredients. Add 2 oz. tequila, 1/2 oz. orange liqueur, 1 oz. lime juice, 3/4 oz. orange juice and a splash of agave nectar to a cocktail shaker along with ice.
2. Shake. Gently shake with the top on for 30 seconds.
3. Serve. Pour mixture into a salt rimmed glass (optional, see below) and serve.

How To Salt a Rim

Some people like to add salt on the rim of the glass, but you can do it without if you’d like. If you’d like to salt the rim for a little sweet-tangy-salty contrast, here’s how to do it:

1. Set up your station. Add course salt to a shallow rimmed plate, then add lime juice to a shallow bowl.
2. Coat the rim of the glass. Dunk the rim of your glass in the lime juice first then in the salt. Voila.

You could also use a cocktail rimmer set (linked in the Tools section) that has a holder for both the lime juice and salt in the shape of a glass rim for ease.

Make a Pitcher of Margaritas

Let’s be honest. If you’re having a party, you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen shaking drinks all night. The next best option is to make a margarita pitcher so your guests can serve themselves! Here’s an easy recipe that makes 8 servings. If you need more, just double or triple the recipe.

1. Mix the ingredients. To a large pitcher add 2 cups of tequila, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, 1 cup of fresh lime juice, 3/4 cup of orange juice and 1 tablespoon of agave nectar.
2. Stir. Mix together with a large bar spoon. You can either serve your margaritas right away or keep the mixture refrigerated until it’s time to serve.
3. Serve. Pour mixture over salt rimmed glasses filled with ice.

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How to Make a Frozen Margarita

Are you more of a frozen margarita person? If so, follow these steps to achieve that classic slushy texture that’s perfect for sipping by the pool. I have an in-depth post dedicated to my favorite frozen margarita recipe, but here’s a quick look:

1. Combine the ingredients. To a high-powered blender, add 1 cup of tequila, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, 3/4 cup lime juice, 1/3 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons agave nectar and 6 cups of ice.
2. Blend. Blend the ingredients until the mixture is slushy.
3. Serve. Pour your frozen margs into salt rimmed glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.

Try These Variation Ideas

Now that we’ve covered the essentials of how to make a margarita, it’s time to start playing with variation ideas!

• More flavors. Add fruit juices, purées, or muddle berries and fresh herbs for a different flavor profile. Try a blood orange margarita or this thyme blackberry margarita.
• Frozen versions. Turn a classic frozen margarita into a frozen strawberry margarita or frozen mango margarita.
• Seasonal. Try this pomegranate margarita or make a white Christmas coconut margarita for the holidays!
• Non-alcoholic. For an alcohol-free recipe, see my margarita mocktail recipe.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving margaritas with Tex-Mex dishes! Try this creamy bacon guacamole or avocado salsa verde with tortilla chips at happy hour, or serve up these easy sheet pan steak nachos for a crowd-friendly appetizer. During the summer, wash down a meal of Chipotle chicken tacos, cilantro lime chicken, or beef enchiladas with a cold, refreshing homemade margarita. A pitcher of margaritas is also a perfect pairing with game day snacks like bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños.

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