Reader Favorite Review
Jen said, “Easy, delicious, and refreshing. I made this drink at the end of a VERY long day in the middle of an intense work week in quarantine. One sip, and I immediately wished I’d bought more limes. It’s perfect. It’s better than all the margaritas I’ve ever paid $15 for at a bar.”
Nothing screams summer quite as loudly as a Classic Margarita! Think about it — you’re hosting a cookout with friends and family, passing beer and wine like it’s water, but something is missing. That something is unquestionably a good cocktail. But the ultimate cocktail? Simple: the perfect margarita. And I’m going to help you master it.
Why This Recipe Works
- We’ve tested a variety of tequilas and while ultimately this comes down to personal preference, I think Casamigos Tequila Blanco provides the smoothest taste. I’m providing more tequila suggestions below!
- Cointreau! The not-so-secret ingredient to any margarita recipe is this sweet orange-flavored liqueur.
- The perfect sweet, citrusy balance! We’ve found the perfect ratio of fresh lime juice and agave (a natural sweetener) to yield the most sippable cocktail of them all!
We are seriously margarita-obsessed over here and have tested lots of variations over the years. Be sure to try our Grilled Pineapple Margarita, refreshing Blackberry Basil Margarita, or this Grapefruit Margarita next!
What type of tequila should I use in a classic margarita recipe?
Personal preference, but I always use tequila blanco. It’s regarded as the lesser of the tequilas (more on reposado below), but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on quality.
What’s the difference between tequila blanco and reposado?
In short, it’s the amount of time the tequila has been aged. The clearer the liquid, the less time it’s been sitting in either stainless steel or oak barrels. Thus, sometimes tequila blanco is referred to as silver tequila. It’s clear!
Tequila reposado, by contrast, sits for a longer period of time, and almost always in oak barrels. The lengthier holding stage, as well as the oak, gives it that brown hue and a more distinguishable taste. They’re usually higher end, which is why they can often be referred to as sipping tequilas: they’re good enough to drink on their own.
Personally, I don’t need fancy tequila for a margarita. Do I want cheap tequila that will leave me hungover and hating life? Absolutely not. But I have found (with copious research under my belt) that a moderately priced tequila blanco is more than fine at making a really delicious homemade margarita.
Best Tequila Blanco For Classic Margaritas
- Casamigos (750ml at $35.99) – hands down, this is the only tequila I use on a regular basis. It’s smooth, herbaceous, and made with 100% agave. Highly, highly recommend.
- Casa Noble Crystal (750ml at $34.99) – this tequila packs a little more punch than the Casamigos. If you’re looking for a bit more character (think slightly smoky or peppery tones), this may be the one for you.
- Herradura Blanco Tequila (750ml at $38.49) – this well known tequila is often the liquid of choice for classic margs, and for good reason — it’s not Patron (overhyped), but similarly will not overwhelm the other flavors of your cocktail.
Can I Use A Cheaper Tequila?
You certainly can, but it depends on how well you want to be able to walk the next morning…
Pitcher Margaritas To Feed A Crowd
I love to serve margaritas at summer cookouts! And, surprisingly, it’s an easy drink recipe to enjoy with a large group. Take the ingredients below (measured in ounces) and convert them into cups.
- 3 cups tequila blanco
- 3 cups fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 cups Cointreau (or other triple sec)
- ½ cup agave nectar
Place all ingredients in a pitcher, stir to combine, then refrigerate until very cold. Get all your glasses assembled and ready to go (you know the drill, salt on the rim, filled with ice, lime wedges on standby), then pour. You should get about 6-8 servings from one pitcher, depending how generously you pour for your guests!
Margaritas Over Ice vs. Frozen Margaritas
Lots of people swear by frozen margaritas, but my number one complaint? They melt too quickly! And if I’m going through the trouble of making a classic margarita recipe (really, it’s no trouble at all), I kind of don’t want it to be watered down, you know?
Pro tip: A really good margarita should be ice cold. It helps if you start with cold ingredients and even a cold glass. Feel free to serve yours straight up (no ice), but… if not, just stick a very large ice cube in the glass (see below) versus lots of little tiny ice cubes that will melt faster over a shorter period of time.
Always trendy, always in fashion, and always a good choice. You are well on your way to making margarita history. One sip and I guarantee your guests will proclaim these as, “the best margaritas ever!”
If you make our Classic Margarita recipe, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below!
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Tried & True Classic Margaritas (with Cointreau!)
Ingredients
- 3 oz Casamigos or other tequila blanco
- 3 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 oz triple sec, recommended Cointreau
- ½ oz agave nectar
- Kosher salt, for serving
- lime wedges or circles, for serving
Instructions
- Shake ingredients together. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add 3 oz tequila, 3 oz lime juice, 2 oz cointreau, and ½ oz agave. Secure lid, then shake for 10-12 seconds to aerate the drink.
- Prepare the glass. Run a lime wedge along the rim of a glass, then dip upside down into a shallow bowl of kosher salt. Place ice in glass (optional).
- Enjoy! Strain drink into glass and serve.
I love the detail in this post, especially the tequila recommendations as I have never bought a bottle. That changes this weekend!
Yesssss, highly recommend Casamigos Tequila Blanco! It’s perfect in general, but especially in margaritas! Enjoy! xo, Ari
Easy, delicious, and refreshing. I made this drink at the end of a VERY long day in the middle of an intense work week in quarantine. One sip, and I immediately wished I’d bought more limes. It’s perfect. It’s better than all the margaritas I’ve ever paid $15 for at a bar.
I am SO happy to hear this!! I have no clue why a good margarita at a restaurant is so hard to make, but WHO CARES ’cause we’re making them all the time at home now! Cheers! xo, Ari
This is it. The margarita recipe I have been searching for. Perfect ratio of all ingredients. Won over the hardest person to please when it comes to margaritas- my mom. Thank you for this dangerously delicious recipe I’ll be making all summer long.. Love your recipes- Cheers!
Yes, yes, YES! The very best margaritas. Enjoy!! Cheers, Ari
The best Marg drink. I make it often and rave about Ari to friends.
Definitely the very best margarita!! I can drink far too many ha! xo, Ari
Perfect Marg recipe. Thank You!
It is hands down my favorite margarita recipe! So simple and impossibly easy to drink. Cheers! Ari
Perfect ratios and simple. This will become my go-to marg recipe.
The most perfect margarita to ever exist!! They’re way too drinkable, ha! Cheers, Ari