The short answer: This margarita recipe is the classic: tequila, fresh lime and orange liqueur, shaken cold and poured over ice with a salted rim. Shake 2 ounces of blanco tequila, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice and 1 ounce of Cointreau or triple sec with ice, then strain it into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice. That 2:1:1 ratio is easy to remember and easy to scale up for a party.
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Below you'll find a pitcher batch for 8, frozen, spicy and skinny versions, a no-alcohol margarita, and tips for serving drinks responsibly.
Margarita recipe ingredients (one drink)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blanco tequila | 2 ounces | 100% agave |
| Fresh lime juice | 1 ounce | About 1 large lime |
| Orange liqueur | 1 ounce | Cointreau or triple sec |
| Agave or simple syrup | ¼ to ½ ounce | Optional, to taste |
| Coarse salt | For the rim | Kosher or flaky salt |
| Lime wedge | 1 | For the rim and garnish |
| Ice | For shaking and serving | Use fresh ice in the glass |
How to make a classic margarita
- Salt the rim. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip it into a plate of coarse salt. Salt just half the rim if guests like a choice.
- Fill the glass. Add fresh ice to the glass.
- Shake. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker feels very cold.
- Strain and serve. Strain the margarita over the fresh ice and garnish it with a lime wheel.
Margarita variations
| Version | How to make it |
|---|---|
| Pitcher margaritas (8 drinks) | 2 cups tequila, 1 cup lime juice, 1 cup orange liqueur, ½ cup agave, ½ cup cold water. Stir and chill |
| Frozen margarita | Blend one drink's ingredients with 1 cup of ice until slushy |
| Spicy margarita | Muddle 2 or 3 jalapeño slices in the shaker, or use a chile-salt rim |
| Skinny margarita | Skip the orange liqueur. Use 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce lime, 1 ounce orange juice, a little agave |
| Cranberry margarita | Add 1 ounce of cranberry juice for a red holiday version |
| Pomegranate margarita | Add 1 ounce of pomegranate juice and garnish with seeds |
| Strawberry margarita | Muddle 3 hulled strawberries in the shaker before adding the rest, then double-strain. For frozen, blend the berries in |
Margarita on the rocks, frozen or straight up
The classic margarita above is served on the rocks: shaken, then strained over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed rocks glass. It stays cold and gets a little softer as the ice melts, so it's the easiest way to serve a crowd.
- On the rocks: shake with ice, strain over fresh ice. Best for parties and slow sipping.
- Straight up: shake with ice, strain into a chilled coupe with no ice. No ice melts into it, so it stays at full strength; serve it right away.
- Frozen: blend with ice until slushy. It tastes sweeter and less sharp, so add a little extra lime.
Tips for the best margarita
- Squeeze limes fresh. Bottled lime juice tastes flat and bitter. One large lime gives about 1 ounce.
- Taste before you sweeten. Limes vary, so add syrup a little at a time.
- Shake hard. Shaking chills the drink and adds the water that softens the tequila.
- Use fresh ice in the glass. Shaker ice is broken and melts fast.
- Batch the base, not the ice. For a party, chill the pitcher mix and pour it over ice to order. For a make-ahead party treat, see our jello shot recipe.
How strong is a margarita?
A classic margarita is a strong drink. The NIAAA's standard drink guide defines one standard drink as 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, so 2 ounces of tequila plus an ounce of orange liqueur works out to about 1½ to 2 standard drinks. The CDC's moderate drinking guidance defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less for women, and notes that drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. Smaller pours, food, water and a no-alcohol option on the menu make a party easier for everyone, and every host should plan for safe rides home.
Margarita mocktail
For guests who don't drink, shake 1½ ounces of lime juice, 1 ounce of orange juice and ½ ounce of agave with ice, strain it into a salt-rimmed glass, and top it with sparkling water. It looks just like the real margarita on the tray.
What to serve with margaritas
Chips with salsa and guacamole, Rotel dip, tacos, nachos and a big taco salad are classic pairings. Hosting a holiday party? See our Christmas cocktails, the espresso martini recipe, and our New Year's Eve party ideas. For a grapefruit twist on tequila, try our paloma cocktail. Browse 30 more drinks in our cocktail recipes collection.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the classic margarita recipe ratio? The classic margarita recipe uses a 2:1:1 ratio: 2 ounces of blanco tequila, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice and 1 ounce of orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec. Shake it hard with ice and strain it over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed glass. If you like it a little sweeter, add ¼ to ½ ounce of agave syrup or simple syrup.
What is the best tequila for a margarita? The best tequila for a margarita is a 100% agave blanco, also called silver or plata tequila. It has a clean, bright flavor that lets the fresh lime shine. Reposado tequila, which is aged in oak for a few months, makes a smoother, slightly richer margarita. Check that the label says 100% agave, because mixto tequilas taste harsher.
How do you make a pitcher of margaritas? To make a pitcher of margaritas for 8, stir together 2 cups of blanco tequila, 1 cup of fresh lime juice, 1 cup of orange liqueur, ½ cup of agave syrup and ½ cup of cold water in a large pitcher. The water stands in for the dilution that shaking adds. Refrigerate it, then pour it over ice in salt-rimmed glasses just before serving.
How strong is a margarita? A classic margarita recipe with 2 ounces of tequila and 1 ounce of orange liqueur has about 1½ to 2 standard drinks, depending on the liqueur. The NIAAA defines one standard drink as 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Serve margaritas with food and water, offer a mocktail, and make sure no one who has been drinking drives home.
How do you make a margarita without alcohol? To make a margarita without alcohol, shake 1½ ounces of fresh lime juice, 1 ounce of fresh orange juice, ½ ounce of agave syrup and 2 ounces of sparkling water or a non-alcoholic tequila alternative with ice. Strain it into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice. A splash of jalapeño brine or a lime wedge makes it taste more like the real thing.
Can you make margaritas ahead of time? Yes, you can mix margaritas up to a day ahead. Stir the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and agave in a pitcher or bottle, cover it and refrigerate it. Fresh lime juice tastes brightest within 24 hours, so don't mix it much earlier. Add ice only when serving, or the margaritas will taste watery before your guests arrive.