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    Home » Cocktail » Classic Margarita

    Published: Apr 9, 2015 · Modified: Feb 22, 2021 by Lisa Johnson

    Classic Margarita

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A margarita on the rocks in a salt rimmed glass garnished with two lime wedges and two black straws with two more lime wedges in the background and title graphic across the top.

    This Classic Margarita Recipe tastes great and is easy to make from scratch. There is no mix needed to make this simple cocktail on the rocks with tequila, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup.

    A margarita in a small glass with two lime wedges and two black straws on a wooden board with two lime wedges in the background.

    Do you have a "Tequila" story to tell? I actually do not, as strange as they may seem to some of you. Everyone in college seemed to roll their eyes and start into some bizarre tale of wild nights and harsh mornings whenever they heard Tequila mentioned! I decided at that point, that I never wanted to have a "Tequila" story of my own. So I completely avoided tequila!

    Looking down on two classic margaritas on the rocks with lime wedges and black straws on a wooden background.

    Margarita Ingredients

    • Tequila - silver or reposado is the best tequila for margaritas, but any kind of tequila will work. Just choose one that is high-quality.
    • Freshly squeezed lime juice - Lime juice is also important in this drink. You really do need to squeeze fresh limes for the best tasting cocktail. Do not use the little green plastic lime juice from the grocery store! They are filled with preservatives and will make your drink very bitter!
    • Orange Liqueur - my favorite is Cointreau, but you can also use triple sec or Grand Marnier.
    • Sweetener - simple syrup adds a bit of sweetness if needed. You could also use agave syrup or very-fine granulated sugar.
    • Coarse salt, like a Kosher salt to rim your glasses.
    • Lime wedges to garnish.

    How do you make a classic margarita?

    Fill a cocktail shaker with .75 cup of ice and a good quality tequila, Cointreau, or triple sec, and fresh squeezed lime juice.

    Ingredients to make a margarita in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and two salt rimmed glasses with ice in the background.

    I mixed two at one time, but you can make them individually if you prefer. If you would like a touch of sweetness to offset some of the lime's tartness, add a teaspoon of simple syrup.

    Put the lid on top and shake to combine. Pour into an ice filled cocktail glass, with a rim that has been rubbed with lime juice and dipped into course salt.

    Classic Margarita on the rocks with lime wedges and black straws on a wooden backdrop in front of a black background.

    Garnish with lime wedges and serve with a straw, if desired. I desire, I love my straws!

    Recipe Notes:

    • Tequila is the star of this drink, so you want to choose a good quality silver/clear tequila over a cheap one. I love Cabo Wabo, some people swear by Patron, and at $100 a bottle I would hope that is amazing! Trust me, you don't want anything cheaper than Jose' Cuervo.

    What to serve with this Margarita Recipe:

    • Chips and Blender Salsa, Pico de Gallo, or Black Bean Salsa
    • Pulled Pork Nachos or Creamy Seafood Nachos
    • Beef Taco Salad Bowls, Fish Tacos, Instant Pot Red Chile Pork Tamales,
    • Creamy Seafood Enchiladas, Grilled Steak Fajitas, Shredded Beef Chimichangas,
    • Taco Popcorn or Instant Pot Kahlua Flan

    More margarita recipes:

    • Pitcher of Margaritas
    • Frozen Margaritas
    • Mango Margarita
    • Watermelon Margaritas
    • Frozen Peach  Margaritas
    • Watermelon Margarita Sorbet

    If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!

    Enjoy!!

    classic margarita in a small glass with two lime wedges and two black straws on a wooden board with two lime wedges in the background

    Classic Margarita

    This Classic Margarita Recipe tastes great and is easy to make from scratch. There is no mix needed to make this simple cocktail on the rocks with tequila, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup.
    3.8 from 5 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: lime, tequila, orange, liqueur, ice, recipe, salt
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 Serving
    Calories: 167kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 ounce good quality silver tequila
    • .5 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
    • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon simple syrup optional
    • course salt to garnish
    • lime wedges to garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place .75 cup of ice in a cocktail shaker.
    • Add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and simple syrup {if using}.
    • Cover and shake to combine.
    • Rub lime juice around the rim of cocktail glass. Dip in course salt.
    • Pour margarita into prepared glass and garnish with lime wedges and a straw.

    Notes

    • Tequila is the star of this drink, so you want to choose a good quality silver/clear tequila over a cheap one. I love Cabo Wabo, some people swear by Patron, and at $100 a bottle I would hope that is amazing! Trust me, you don’t want anything cheaper than Jose’ Cuervo.
    • Lime juice is also important in this drink. You really do need to squeeze fresh limes for the best tasting cocktail. Do not use the little green plastic lime juice from the grocery store! They are filled with preservatives and will make your drink very bitter! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Sodium: 6mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. marcie says

      April 10, 2015 at 7:20 pm

      This is my favorite margarita -- on the rocks with no slushy stuff. And no salt. Looks great and perfect for my friday night!

      Reply
    2. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says

      April 10, 2015 at 9:20 pm

      I do have a margarita story - maybe someday I'll tell. Your pictures are making me which I had one in my hand right now!

      Reply
    3. Benita says

      April 10, 2015 at 9:23 pm

      These look so YUM!!! Cannot wait to fix and drink! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Cooper says

      April 12, 2015 at 5:18 pm

      I love this recipe!!!! Once I get over my sugar coma I think I will whip it up!

      Reply
    5. Gina says

      April 14, 2015 at 8:24 am

      It's GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost too pretty to drink - well done my friend!

      Reply
    6. Kristin says

      April 16, 2015 at 8:18 am

      MMmmmm. I love a good margarita!! Making them at home might get a little dangerous for us. haha. Thursty Thursday is going on now on my blog if you would like to stop by and link this up! hopelesslyeverafter.blogspot.com

      Reply
    7. Trish @ tagsthoughts.com says

      April 16, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      Yum! Your Classic Margarita looks and sounds DELICIOUS. I enjoy flavored margaritas just fine but my very favorite is a classic. Sometimes on the rocks, sometimes frozen. Here from the Weekend re-Treat ~ Have a fab day!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        April 20, 2015 at 5:49 pm

        Thank you so much Trish, have a wonderful week. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Janette@culinaryginger says

      April 16, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      You can't beat a classic margarita and this looks delicious. I don't have a tequila story because growing up in England I didn't even know what it was, but now that I'm in SoCal I do. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        April 20, 2015 at 5:23 pm

        Oh how I miss SoCal!!! Thanks so much Janette. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Celeste @The Whole Serving says

      April 18, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      I'm not much of a drinker, a few sips and my head is spinning. Looks beautiful!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        April 20, 2015 at 5:14 pm

        Thank you so much Celeste!! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

      April 20, 2015 at 1:11 am

      This is my favorite margarita .... and trust me, plenty of them will be consumed this Summer! 😀 If you ever make it out to Phoenix, we'll have to have a few!

      Reply
    11. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

      April 22, 2015 at 2:59 pm

      I wish I didn't have a tequila story. It was years (like ten) before I could drink tequila again. Your margarita looks awesome...I will happily make it this summer once the pool is open!! Pinning!

      Reply
    12. Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says

      April 22, 2015 at 3:43 pm

      I used to go frozen strawberry ONLY....but now I actually prefer original on the rocks! And I could go for one now!

      Reply
    13. Marilyn says

      April 22, 2015 at 7:49 pm

      We featured your amazing drink at the Project Stash! Stop by and pick up your featured button!

      Reply
    14. Izzy says

      May 24, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      Margaritas are a must have drink in the summer here in the deep south!! I really only had them frozen till recently. I have come to love the good ol classic on the rocks. Although I do love a good prickly pear margarita! They can be very sweet, so if you don't like real sweet drinks, then shy away from it, but man oh man are they amazing. And with that being said, I'm going to get my tequila out of the freezer from getting cold and making myself one!

      Reply

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