Margarita Recipe (Classic)

Name: Classic Margarita
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2 oz blanco (silver) tequila, 100% agave; 1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime); 1 oz Cointreau or other orange liqueur (triple sec); 0.25 oz agave syrup, optional, to taste; Kosher or flaky salt, for the rim (optional); Lime wheel or wedge, to garnish; Ice, for shaking and serving

The Margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the United States, and the classic version is deceptively simple: tequila, lime, and orange liqueur in balance. Skip the sour mix and bottled lime juice. Fresh-squeezed lime and a good triple sec (Cointreau is the standard) are what separate a great Margarita from a sticky, over-sweet one. Below is the exact build, a quick how-to, a ratio chart for scaling and tweaking, and answers to the questions people ask most.

Classic Margarita

Förberedelse5 min

Total tid5 min

Portioner1

SvårighetEasy

Ingredienser

2 oz blanco (silver) tequila, 100% agave
1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
1 oz Cointreau or other orange liqueur (triple sec)
0.25 oz agave syrup, optional, to taste
Kosher or flaky salt, for the rim (optional)
Lime wheel or wedge, to garnish
Ice, for shaking and serving

Gör så här

If salting, rub a lime wedge around the outer rim of a chilled rocks or coupe glass, then roll the rim in salt spread on a small plate.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave syrup if using.
Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker is frosted and cold.
Strain into the prepared glass, either neat in a coupe or over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.

How to nail it: shake with plenty of ice and shake hard. The Margarita needs proper dilution and aeration to soften the lime's acidity, so a short, vigorous shake beats a long, lazy one. Taste before you pour, and add agave a quarter-ounce at a time only if your limes are especially tart. For the rim, salt just half the glass so drinkers can choose salt or no salt sip by sip.

Margarita ratios: tequila : lime juice : orange liqueur
Style	Tequila	Lime juice	Orange liqueur	Notes
Classic (2:1:1)	2 oz	1 oz	1 oz	The standard balanced build
Tart / dry	2 oz	1 oz	0.75 oz	Less sweet, sharper lime
Sweeter / crowd	2 oz	0.75 oz	1 oz	Rounder, softer edge
Tommy's Margarita	2 oz	1 oz	0.5 oz agave	No liqueur; agave instead
Frozen (blended)	2 oz	1 oz	1 oz	Blend with 1 cup ice
Spicy	2 oz	1 oz	1 oz	Add 2 to 3 jalapeno slices when shaking

Use 100% agave blanco tequila for the cleanest flavor; reposado adds a subtle oak warmth if you prefer it.
Always squeeze lime fresh, and juice it the same day. Bottled lime tastes dull and metallic.
Chill your glass in the freezer while you build the drink for a colder, longer-lasting Margarita.
Cointreau is the classic orange liqueur; a quality triple sec or Grand Marnier both work well.
For a frozen Margarita, blend the same ratio with about 1 cup of ice, then taste and adjust sweetness.
For a spicy version, muddle or shake in a few jalapeno slices, and consider a chili-salt rim.

What is the classic Margarita ratio?

The classic modern ratio is 2:1:1, meaning 2 parts tequila, 1 part fresh lime juice, and 1 part orange liqueur such as Cointreau. It gives a balanced drink that is neither too sweet nor too sour. The official IBA specification is a touch more spirit-forward, at 50 ml tequila, 20 ml orange liqueur, and 15 ml lime juice (a 10:4:3 ratio).

What tequila is best for a Margarita?

A 100% agave blanco (silver) tequila is the standard choice for its clean, bright agave flavor. Reposado, which is lightly aged in oak, makes a smoother, slightly warmer Margarita if you prefer more depth.

Can I make a Margarita without Cointreau?

Yes. Any quality triple sec or orange liqueur like Grand Marnier works. You can also make a Tommy's Margarita, which replaces the liqueur with about half an ounce of agave syrup for a purer tequila-and-lime taste.

Should a Margarita be shaken or blended?

A classic Margarita is shaken with ice and strained, served up or over the rocks. Blend it with about a cup of ice only when you want a frozen Margarita, which is smoother but more diluted.

Do I have to salt the rim?

No, the salt rim is optional. It heightens the flavors and cuts the tartness, but many people skip it. Salting just half the rim lets each drinker choose salt or no salt as they sip.

Please enjoy responsibly. A standard Margarita contains roughly two to three ounces of spirits, so pace yourself, drink water alongside, and never drive after drinking. Serve only to guests of legal drinking age (21+ in the US).