Learn how to make a classic Margarita cocktail with this simple and delicious recipe + find ideas for margarita variations to add a personal touch to your party.

Did you know that Margarita is deemed the most popular cocktail in the world?

We didn’t however, we are not surprised!

Out margarita recipes are among the most popular here on Mama Loves a Drink and our gifts for margarita lovers are among saught after.

Indeed, how can you not love a good margarita? The bite of the salted rim, the freshness of the lime, the festive hit of the tequila…

However, finding a good margarita is not as easy as it may seem: margaritas are only as good at the quality of their ingredients.

So today, we share the recipe for a classic margarita, so you can make the real thing at home.

Can’t make it now? Pin it for later!

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Tools you need to make a classic margarita

Find all our favourite tools for your home cocktail bar here.

Classic Margarita Ingredients

A classic margarita has three ingredients: Tequila, Triple sec, and lime juice.

Like all simple cocktails, therefore, you need top-notch quality ingredients.

What’s the best tequila for Margarita cocktails?

The best tequila commonly used for margaritas is tequila blanco: this type of tequila is minimally aged, transparent in colour and has a citrusy, spicy finish.

If you want to add a little extra depth to your cocktail, the best tequila for your margarita is tequila reposado: this type of tequila is aged at least 60 days and has mild notes of vanilla and oak from the aging process.

What’s the best triple sec for margarita?

Triple sec is one of the staples of a home bar so getting a good quality one is essential to up not just your margarita-making skills but your whole home-bartending efforts.

The triple sec of choice for margaritas is Cointreau. Originally from France, Cointreau has orange, vanilla and lemon notes that match perfectly those of tequila for the perfect margarita result.

Instructions

Prepare your glasses following our tips for salting the glass rim (ADD POST AND LINK), then add the desired amount of ice.

Take a cocktail shaker and add the ice, the tequila, the lime juice and triple sec.

Close and shake well until the outside of the glass is cold.

Using a strainer, pour the cocktail into the glass, then garnish with a wedge or think slice of lime: serve immediately.

How to make margaritas for a crows: Margarita pitcher recipe

If you are making margaritas for a crowd, having to shake each glass becomes very laborious. A margarita pitcher is a smarter choice!

To make sure your batch margaritas are as nice as the individually made ones, we recommend you follow these tips:

Make your margarita strong, using 3 parts of tequila, 2 or triple sec and 1 of lime. This will prevent the ice to dilute the margarita excessively as it melts

Add your cocktail first and the ice next and stir well: then let it sit for a few minutes so the ice start melting

Add several thin slices of lime to your pitcher, rather than a wedge, for a pretty inviting finish.

Delicious margarita variations

Delicious margarita inspired variations are

Thermomix Margarita – an alternative way to make your favorite tequila cocktail

Swap triple sec with agave syrup for a ‘Tommy’s Margarita’ from San Francisco

Make your margarita frozen for a party favorite: add strawberries for extra flavour and colour

Ingredient spotlight: tequila

Tequila is a distilled drink originally from the town of Tequila, in Mexico.

Tequila has an appellation of origin and can only call itself tequila if made in one of five regions of Mexico. The largest produces of tequila is Jalisco.

It is obtained from the blue agave plant

Tequila comes in several types:

Blanco (lit. white) – young, not aged tequila

Reposado (lit. rested) – tequila aged at least 60 days

Añejo and Extra Añejo – Tequilas aged respectively 1-3 years and 3+years in oak barrels

Classic Margarita recipe – pin this!