Classic Margarita Recipe

Fresh lime juice, triple sec, and good tequila are all you need to make the best margarita possible.

By
The Serious Eats Team
The Serious Eats Team
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Updated Apr. 27, 2021
A classic margarita in a rocks glass with salt and a lime wheel on the rim.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • A good-quality tequila needs no sugar, beyond what's in the triple sec, to balance the acidity of lime juice.
  • Cointreau makes for a balanced, smooth margarita without taking away from the tequila.

Tequila, orange liqueur, lime: The perfect margarita is all about fresh, crisp flavors. After testing all the ratios, this is the one we reach for.

0:37

Click Play to See This Crisp Classic Margarita Come Together

Recipe Facts

5

(1)

Prep: 5 mins
Active: 5 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serves: 2 drinks

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

  • 1 lime wedge, plus 2 lime wheels for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rims

  • 4 ounces (120ml) high-quality blanco tequila (see notes)

  • 2 ounces (60ml) Cointreau

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) fresh juice from 2 limes

Directions

  1. Run lime wedge around the outer rims of 2 rocks glasses and dip rims in salt. Set aside.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over).

  3. Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

Special equipment

Cocktail shaker, cocktail strainer

Notes

This recipe works best with a high-quality tequila. If you're using a budget brand that's a little harsh, swap the proportions for the Cointreau and lime juice and add 1/4 ounce simple syrup to each drink.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
206 Calories
0g Fat
13g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 206
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 293mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 17mg 84%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 63mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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