Perfect Margarita Recipe

"I am a margarita hound. Give me a margarita and I am one happy lady. Although I am a perfectly good home bartender, Bill likes to make these for me and keep my glass filled, but we all know he just likes to see me loaded. You can adjust the strength of this drink by changing the amount of lime juices used, but it is important to keep the two amounts of lime juice equal."

Original is 1 serving

Metric US

I've Tried It

Ingredients

Add to Shopping List

1 1/2 ounces tequila
3/4 ounce triple sec
1/2 to 3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice (Mexican lime juice or 1/2-3/4 ounce key lime juice, to taste)
1/2 to 3/4 ounce lime juice (bottled sweetened lime juice, to taste, I used Rose's)

Coarse salt, to taste
1 lime wedge (optional)
1 cup ice

Nutritional

Serving Size: 1 (159.1 g)
Calories 58.6
Total Fat - 0.2 g
Saturated Fat - 0 g
Cholesterol - 0 mg
Sodium - 380.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate - 16 g
Dietary Fiber - 3.3 g
Sugars - 5.6 g
Protein - 1.3 g
Calcium - 31.5 mg
Iron - 0.6 mg
Vitamin C - 32.5 mg
Thiamin - 0 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with lime juice; dip into coarse salt or hold inverted& sprinkle coarse salt over the outside of the rim.

Step 2

Place cubes in a cocktail shaker and add the rest of the ingredients (use equal amounts of fresh lime juice and sweetened lime juice).

Step 3

Shake briskly.

Step 4

Pour into glass, garnishing with a lime slice or wedge (if desired) and serve.

Tips

No special items needed.

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.

Tips for selecting ingredients

When choosing tequila, opt for a high-quality blanco or reposado for the best flavor.
When selecting the lime juice, use freshly squeezed Mexican or Key limes for a more intense flavor.

Ingredient substitutions

Agave syrup instead of triple sec: Agave syrup is a plant-based sweetener that has a milder flavor than triple sec. This substitution will give the margarita a slightly sweeter, more mellow flavor.
Lemon juice instead of lime juice: Lemon juice has a sharper flavor than lime juice, so this substitution will give the margarita a more tart and tangy flavor.

Variations

Frozen Margarita Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass, garnish with a lime slice or wedge (if desired) and serve.

Strawberry Margarita Combine 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup tequila, 1/4 cup triple sec, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1/4 cup simple syrup in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass, garnish with a lime slice or wedge (if desired) and serve.

Serve with

Mexican Street Corn Salad - This delicious and easy-to-make side dish is the perfect accompaniment to the Perfect Margarita. The combination of the creamy, spicy, and sweet flavors of the corn salad will perfectly complement the tart and tangy taste of the margarita.

Grilled Guacamole: This flavorful and easy-to-make guacamole is the perfect complement to the Mexican Street Corn Salad. The creamy, smoky flavor of the guacamole will pair perfectly with the tart and tangy taste of the margarita, creating a delicious and balanced flavor combination.

FAQ

Q: What type of lime juice should I use for the margarita?

A: You can use Mexican lime juice or key lime juice for the fresh-squeezed lime juice, and bottled sweetened lime juice for the lime juice. Adjust the amount to taste.

Q: How much tequila should I use for the margarita?

A: It depends on how strong you want your margarita. Generally, a good ratio is 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of triple sec, and 1 ounce of lime juice. Adjust the ratios to taste.