Texas Margarita

Let's give your next party a lively touch with a big batch of this bright, citrusy Texas margarita recipe! Made with a delicious duo of freshly squeezed orange and lime juices with just the right kick of tequila, this refreshing margarita is always a crowd favorite. Don't be surprised if this becomes your new tried and true way to make margaritas. So let's start mixing — we have margaritas to sip.

Jump to:

• What Is a Texas Margarita?
• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• Expert Tips
• Perfect Pairing
• Sip on More Margaritas
• 📖 Recipe

What Is a Texas Margarita?

A classic margarita gets a fun twist by adding fresh orange juice to the ingredient list. The orange juice brings just a touch of sweetness that nicely balances the more tart lime juice. 

Traditionally, a margarita is made with tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and an optional sweetener. This combination certainly makes for a delicious drink. After all, there’s a reason a margarita is a beloved classic cocktail, but we get an extra dose of citrus with this Texas version.

As a Texan who now lives in Denver, I’ve had my fair share of margaritas during many happy hour nights enjoying some Tex-Mex. I promise you that this is one seriously tasty margarita.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

That burst of sweet, fresh orange juice: Hey, this is what makes the Texas margarita so special. 

Real, simple ingredients: Ditch the sweet and sour mix, which results in a cloying, lackluster margarita. We use fresh juices to give this orange margarita the perfect pop of bright flavor. 

Great for any occasion: Is there ever a bad time to serve a margarita? Nope! A well-made margarita is great for a casual backyard party on hot summer nights, but it equally makes the perfect welcome cocktail for a nice dinner party. 

Serve as single drinks or pitcher style: Shake up a couple drinks at a time or serve in a pitcher to make entertaining a breeze. 

Related: For more favorite tequila cocktails, you’ll love my Italian margarita, tequila sour and triple citrus tequila smash.

Ingredients

Tequila: I almost always recommend reposado tequila over blanco tequila for my margaritas. Reposado tequila ages in oak barrels for two months to a year, which imparts a richer flavor and makes for a smoother finish. Of course, you’re welcome to use your favorite tequila, but reposado adds a more complex, sophisticated flavor. Reposado truly makes for one company-worthy drink.

Lime juice: Grab your citrus juicer because we absolutely want to use fresh lime juice. Bottled juice seriously lacks the same brightness and will give you a lesser-quality margarita. 

Orange juice: Like the lime juice, go with freshly squeezed orange juice. 

Orange liqueur: For a top-shelf Texas margarita, I recommend using Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Triple sec works for a more economical option. 

Simple syrup: We just use a smidge. I’ve tested this recipe with and without simple syrup, and it truly rounds out the flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: We begin by preparing our glass with a salted rim. To really play up the citrus duo, I like to also include some fresh lime and orange zest, though this is optional.

For this step, we pour some water onto a small plate and dip the glass into the water to moisten. Alternatively, we can cut a slit in the middle of a lime wedge and rub the lime along the rim. We then swirl the rim of the glass into the salt and zest mixture (photo 1). 

Step 2: Now we add our tequila, lime juice, orange juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup and a handful of ice cubes to a cocktail shaker (photo 2).

Step 3: We put on the top and shake well (photo 3). A good 15-30 seconds works well.

Step 4: All that’s left is to strain our margarita into the salt-rimmed glass with ice (photo 4). For a fun touch, feel free to garnish with a lime wheel or orange slice. 

Take one sip and fall in love with that Texas twist on a traditional margarita. Refreshing, isn’t it? Serve with some chorizo tacos or salmon tacos with a side of pineapple pico de gallo, and you have yourself the perfect meal.

Bonus: For more Texas recipes, you’ll love my authentic Texas chili.

Recipe FAQs

Expert Tips

Use the proper shaking technique: Hold the cocktail shaker at a 90-degree angle and use both hands to ensure you get enough force. 

Find juicy limes: Don’t just pick any lime at the grocery store. Buy bright green limes that have a bit of give when you squeeze them. This means the lime is nice and ripe.

Opt for cubed ice: Crushed ice is great for strong tiki drinks, but it melts too quickly for our margarita. We want cubed ice for both shaking and serving.

Make it spicy: For a fun variation, muddle some fresh jalapeño or habanero slices with simple syrup first. We Texans love a margarita with a little heat, after all.

Perfect Pairing

Obviously, this calls for some Tex-Mex, and you can’t go wrong with these roasted poblano enchiladas with a verde sour cream sauce. A big dish of enchiladas is a Tex-Mex classic, and you’ll love how the punch of citrus brightens up those smoky peppers. The acidic juices also cut through the rich cheese filling and sour cream sauce nicely.

And, of course, you won't mind having a salty snack on hand. Try this seasoned pretzel recipe on the side.

When you need a fun take on your standard margarita, I hope you try these favorite Texas margaritas. Every sip is as refreshing as it gets.

Cheers!

Sip on More Margaritas

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📖 Recipe