Margarita
The Margarita is a world-renowned cocktail consisting of tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice, often served with salt on the rim of the glass. It is a quintessential sour cocktail, celebrated for its refreshing and vibrant flavor profile. The balance between sweet, sour, and the earthy notes of tequila makes it a versatile drink for any occasion. It can be served shaken with ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen), or straight up (without ice).
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Margarita is a quintessential classic cocktail, belonging to the sour family of drinks. It is recognized globally as one of the most popular tequila-based cocktails. Its simple yet elegant composition solidifies its status as a timeless classic enjoyed by millions.
Serving
This cold cocktail is traditionally served in a specialty Margarita glass with a salted rim, though a coupe or rocks glass also works well. With an ABV ranging from 20-30%, it is a moderately strong drink.
Serving size
Approximately 120-180 ml / 4-6 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Margarita glass
Glass treatment
Salted rim
Backstory
The exact origin of the Margarita is disputed, with numerous stories claiming its creation between the 1930s and 1940s. One popular tale credits Carlos "Danny" Herrera for creating it in his Tijuana-area restaurant for a dancer named Marjorie King, who was allergic to many spirits but not tequila. Another story attributes it to Margarita Sames, a Dallas socialite who supposedly mixed the drink for her guests at her Acapulco vacation home.
Origin
Mexico, circa 1930s-1940s. While the exact location and creator are debated, the consensus is that the cocktail originated in Mexico.
Margarita
The drink is universally known as the Margarita, which is the Spanish word for "daisy". It is sometimes referred to as a "Classic Margarita" to distinguish it from its numerous modern variations. However, its original name is the one that has achieved worldwide fame and recognition.
Original name
Margarita
Alternative name
Classic Margarita
Characteristics overview
The Margarita offers a vibrant, tangy flavor profile with a distinct agave character, balanced by sweet and sour notes. Its appearance is a cloudy, pale yellow-green, and it provides a smooth, crisp texture perfect for any season.
Flavor
Tangy, citrusy, sweet, agave
Aroma
Lime, orange, tequila
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, lingering lime
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Cloudy, pale greenish-yellow
Texture
Smooth, crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is dominated by a strong sourness from the lime and fruitiness from the citrus, with a moderate alcohol presence. Sweetness is present but balanced, while other flavor notes like bitterness and saltiness are minimal.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
You will need a good quality 100% agave blanco tequila, an orange liqueur like Cointreau, and most importantly, freshly squeezed lime juice. An optional teaspoon of agave nectar can be added for extra sweetness.
- Blanco Tequila60 ml / 2 ozUse 100% agave tequila for the best flavor.
- Orange Liqueur30 ml / 1 ozCointreau or Triple Sec are common choices.
- Fresh Lime Juice30 ml / 1 ozFreshly squeezed is essential for a great Margarita.
- Agave Nectar1 teaspoon(optional)Add to taste for a sweeter drink. Simple syrup can also be used.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
A standard cocktail shaker set including a jigger for measuring and a strainer is essential. You'll also need a citrus juicer to get the freshest lime juice possible.
- Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing the ingredients.
- Jigger or measuring cup for accurate liquid measurements.
- Strainer for separating the ice after shaking.
- Citrus juicer for extracting fresh lime juice.
Instructions
First, prepare a chilled glass with a salted rim. Then, shake the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice with ice, and strain into the prepared glass to serve.
1. Chill your Margarita glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
2. Prepare the glass: Pour coarse salt onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the chilled glass and dip the rim into the salt to coat it evenly.
3. Combine the ingredients: Add the tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
4. Shake well for about 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
5. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass. You can add fresh ice to the glass if you prefer it 'on the rocks'.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel on the rim of the glass and serve immediately.
Garnishing
The classic garnish for a Margarita is a salted rim and a fresh lime wedge or wheel. The salt enhances the drink's flavors by contrasting with the sweet and sour notes.
- Lime wedge or wheel to place on the rim of the glass.
- Coarse salt for coating the rim of the glass.
Dietary Information
This drink is naturally free of caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is typically gluten-free and vegan, but it is always wise to check the specific brands of tequila and orange liqueur used to be certain.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
A classic Margarita contains around 200-250 calories per serving, with most of the calories coming from the alcohol and sugar. The carbohydrate and sugar content are relatively moderate, typically ranging from 8 to 15 grams.
Calories
Averagely 200-250 kcal / 837-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12 g
Sugar level
Occasions
The Margarita is an incredibly versatile cocktail, perfect for lively parties, summer barbecues, and celebratory events. It is famously paired with Mexican cuisine, making it an essential part of any festive gathering. Its refreshing nature makes it a go-to choice for warm weather occasions.
- Party
- Summer gathering
- Taco Tuesday
- Celebration
Pairing suggestions
The Margarita's bright, citrusy profile makes it an exceptional partner for Mexican and Latin American cuisine. It cuts through the richness of dishes like tacos and burritos. It also pairs wonderfully with fresh appetizers like guacamole and ceviche, or light grilled meats and fish.
- Tacos and Burritos
- Guacamole and Chips
- Ceviche
- Grilled Chicken or Fish
The Margarita: A Timeless Tequila Triumph
The Margarita is a globally beloved cocktail that stands as a testament to the power of simple, high-quality ingredients. Its perfect harmony of tangy lime, sweet orange, and earthy tequila creates a refreshingly complex flavor profile. Whether served on the rocks, frozen, or straight up, with or without a salted rim, it remains a timeless classic. Its versatility makes it suitable for any festive occasion, especially when paired with vibrant Mexican food.
Variations
Frozen Margarita
Ingredients are blended with a large amount of ice to create a slushy consistency.
Spicy Margarita
Includes muddled jalapeños or a chili-infused syrup for a spicy kick. Often has a chili-salt rim.
Cadillac Margarita
Uses premium (reposado or añejo) tequila and Grand Marnier, often with a float of Grand Marnier on top.
Tommy's Margarita
Replaces the orange liqueur with agave nectar, creating a simpler, tequila-forward flavor profile.
Mezcal Margarita
Substitutes tequila with mezcal, giving the drink a smoky and more complex flavor.
Blue Margarita
Uses Blue Curaçao instead of a standard orange liqueur, giving the drink a vibrant blue color.
Similar cocktails
You May Also Like
Rum and Coke
A universally popular and refreshingly simple highball made by mixing rum and cola over ice, often with a lime garnish.
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
A smoky, agave-forward twist on the classic Old Fashioned, featuring both tequila and mezcal.
Amaro & Tonic
A simple, refreshing, and pleasantly bitter highball combining Italian herbal liqueur with crisp tonic water.
Black Russian
A simple yet potent two-ingredient cocktail combining vodka and rich coffee liqueur over ice.
Have You Tried These Yet?
Vermouth Cobbler
A refreshing, low-alcohol classic combining sweet vermouth with citrus and seasonal fruit over crushed ice.
Rum Fix
A simple and refreshing classic cocktail featuring rum, lemon juice, and a sweetener, served over crushed ice.
Vegetal
An herbaceous and complex modern cocktail featuring aquavit, genever, and yellow Chartreuse.
Vagrant Cocktail
A bittersweet and herbaceous rum sour featuring the unique character of Cynar amaro and funky Jamaican rum.