• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Burgers and Sandwiches
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Seasonings
    • Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetarian
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Contact

Burrata and Bubbles logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Recipes » Beverages

Published: May 10, 2018 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Classic Margarita

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Ditch the mix! This classic margarita uses only the freshest ingredients to make the tastiest version of everyone's favorite tequila cocktail. Best of all, it couldn't be simpler to make.

A classic margarita on a wooden board with limes.

Ingredients for Classic Margarita

Sometimes you have to go with a classic. While I love getting creative with different flavors, herbs and spices, I believe in sticking to a particular formula when it comes to the classic margarita: tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice and optional homemade simple syrup. No margarita mix for this lady.

In fact, I have strong feelings against using margarita mix. A classic margarita calls for just a few simple ingredients. Why go for something that tastes artificial and sticky when you can make a much tastier drink in just a few minutes?

As for the tequila, I'm a sucker for reposado, specifically Corralejo. Most margaritas use the blanco variety, which is bottled immediately or shortly after distilling. Reposado tequila, however, is aged in oak barrels anywhere between two months and one year, making for a more mellow drink with subtle barrel characteristics. And that's not to say there aren't great blanco tequilas because there certainly are, but I prefer the smoothness that comes with reposado.

Now let's talk orange liqueur. I've tasted a lot of margaritas in my day, and Grand Marnier remains my favorite type of orange liqueur. Cointreau is another delicious option.

But it's pricey, and if you plan on drinking a lot of margaritas in your life --- and you probably should --- I completely understand using a more economical alternative. In that case, triple sec is the common go-to for margaritas.

And if you don't have much of a sweet tooth, the simple syrup is optional. Matt prefers his margaritas without simple syrup, but for me, the simple syrup helps meld everything together. If you're unsure, simply mix the margarita without the simple syrup, taste and then add simple syrup if you'd like additional sweetener.

So find a spot on the patio, shake up a few batches of margaritas and let me know what you think. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't get much better than that.

A classic margarita with bottles of alcohol in the background.

Perfect Pairing

Obviously, these fresh margarita calls for Mexican food. Luckily for you, I have plenty of options you'll love. Try any of these dishes with this margarita, and they won't disappoint.

  • Jerk chicken enchiladas with habanero-sour cream sauce
  • Beer-braised Mexican shredded beef
  • Tropical pico de gallo
  • Colorado-style pork green chile
  • Roasted chicken-butternut squash tostadas
  • Spiced orange tres leches cake

When you're craving a fresh, simple cocktail, I hope you try this classic margarita.

Cheers!

An aerial view of a classic margarita.

Also Love a Unique Margarita?

  • Strawberry-kiwi margarita
  • Italian margarita
  • Blood orange margarita
  • Coconut margarita
  • Raspberry-peach margarita

Please let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A classic margarita on a wooden tray with bottles of liquor behind it.

Classic Margarita


  • Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Ditch the mix! This classic margarita uses only the freshest ingredients to make the tastiest version of everyone's favorite tequila cocktail. Best of all, it couldn't be simpler to make.


Ingredients

For Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

For Margarita
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce orange liqueur, preferably Grand Marnier or Cointreau
1 lime, juiced
1 ounce simple syrup, optional
Ice
Lime slices, for garnish, optional
Coarse sea salt, for garnish, optional


Instructions

  1. If using the simple syrup, simmer the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugar. As soon as the sugar dissolves, remove from heat. Cool and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for several weeks.
  2. Pour tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and simple syrup if desired in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice. Put the top on the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds.
  3. Spread sea salt on a plate. Run the lime slice around the rim of a glass and swirl the rim of the glass in the salt. Add more ice to the glass and strain the shaken margarita into the glass. Garnish with a lime slice. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For full tips, please see blog post.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
  • Category: Cocktail
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 drink
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 28
  • Sodium: 2
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 30
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 0
  • Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: margarita, classic margarita, margarita on the rocks, fresh margarita

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @burrataandbubbles on Instagram and hashtag it #BurrataAndBubbles

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

« Breakfast Galette
Salmon-Avocado Burgers With Lime-Sriracha Aioli »
341 shares
  • Share
  • Yummly
  • Mix

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

A headshot of Amanda, the owner of Burrata and Bubbles, holding a beer.

Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

More about me →

Patriotic Party Recipes

  • 4th of July Poke Cake With Fresh Strawberry Filling
  • Cherry Firecracker Cocktail (4th of July)
  • Blueberry-Strawberry Shortcake
  • Cherry Vodka Sparkler Cocktail

Trending Recipes

  • Coconut Margarita
  • Baileys Ice Cream
  • Italian Margarita
  • Painkiller Cocktail
A collection of black and white logos from publications that have featured Burrata and Bubbles

Copyright © 2022 Burrata and Bubbles on the Brunch Pro Theme

Privacy Policy