Classic Margarita Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

What is a classic margarita made of? ›

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

The secret to the perfect margarita, we discovered, is to skip Cointreau/orange liqueur altogether and replace it with freshly squeezed orange juice. The difference is remarkable.

In the end, a good Margarita is a question of proportions. It is a simple formula: 2 – 1 – ½ . 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, ½ part cointreau. I like to measure in ounces, because the correct proportions, measured as 2 ounces, 1 ounce, ½ ounces make the perfect sized drink for the glasses I like to use.

Part of the 'sour' co*cktail family, the Margarita traditionally consists of three ingredients; tequila, triple sec orange liqueur and lime juice, often served in a glass with salt on the rim.

The first known publication of a margarita recipe was in the December 1953 issue of Esquire, with a recipe calling for an ounce of Sierra tequila, a dash of triple sec, and the juice of half a lime or lemon. A recipe for a tequila-based co*cktail first appeared in the 1930 book My New co*cktail Book by G. F. Steele.

Orange liqueur (often Cointreau or another triple sec) typically brings sweetness to this drink, balancing the tart lime and tequila.

Triple sec, a term used interchangeably with curaçao, is a type of orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors as well as sweet and bitter notes — all of which are essential for a well-made Margarita. Popular labels include Cointreau, Combier, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, and Grand Marnier.

Problem: You're Using Sour Mix

If you didn't already know, bottled sour mix is a blend of artificial lime juice, citric acid and corn syrup. In a Margarita, it makes the drink much sweeter than it needs to be and less acidic.

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

While Cointreau is a premium option with a higher price point and ABV, triple sec is a more affordable and sweeter alternative. Regardless of your preference, Red & White offers both options for purchase, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for all your liquor needs.

What is the main alcohol in a margarita? ›

Tequila

Margarita / Main alcohol

When it comes to co*cktail recipes, Jennifer Aniston is a firm believer in less is more. In a recent interview with InStyle, the First Ladies star revealed that her secret to making margaritas is sticking to the basics. She said, “It's basically silver tequila with lime juice shaken and over rocks.

“Cointreau is always my first choice,” says Stanislav Harcinik of Mirror Bar in Bratislava. “It brings citrusy-zesty aromatics to a Margarita's flavor profile, and makes the drink even lighter, with its aromatic floral notes that always make me smell it one more time and, of course, [take] another sip.”

In Margaritas, the inclusion of triple sec provides a luscious, warm citric note that counterbalances the lime juice's high acidity. Considering the relatively low ABV of most triple secs and orange liqueurs, the orange flavoring isn't as “juice-forward,” which allows the tequila to shine.

“Triple sec is the more approachable version when it comes to price point, so it's good to use if you want to keep costs low,” he said. “But Cointreau is worth the investment as it has a roundness that helps in building co*cktails and stands up to more flavors for great Margaritas and more.”