The margarita is a classic tequila cocktail that has been popular for decades. It’s refreshing, tasty and easy to make. The classic margarita contains tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. While delicious on its own, there are many ways to enhance and customize a basic margarita mix to make it even better. With some simple additions and tweaks, you can take your margarita from basic to spectacular.
What makes a good margarita?
A good margarita should have a nice balance between sweet and sour flavors. The sweetness typically comes from an orange liqueur like Cointreau or triple sec. The sourness comes from fresh lime juice. Tequila provides the base spirit and flavor. The ideal margarita ratio is generally considered to be 2 parts tequila, 1 part orange liqueur and 1 part lime juice. This classic ratio allows the flavors to shine through without any one ingredient overpowering the others.
In addition to well-balanced flavors, a good margarita should have a smooth yet brisk mouthfeel. It shouldn’t taste watery or thin. Proper shaking or blending will give it a nice frothiness. The margarita should go down clean, leaving fresh citrus flavors on the palate. Salt on the rim adds a contrasting flavor and enhances the tartness.
Ways to Elevate Your Margarita Mix
There are many easy ways to make your basic margarita mix even more delicious. Here are some tips:
Use fresh lime juice
Always use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled juice. The fresh lime juice has a bright, vibrant flavor that makes a huge difference in the margarita’s taste. Bottled lime juice tends to have a flat, sour flavor in comparison. So squeeze those limes by hand or use a citrus juicer to get the most flavor.
Choose a high-quality tequila
Not all tequila is created equal. Low-quality tequila can give drinks a harsh, unpleasant taste. Splurge on a 100% agave tequila for the best flavor. Look for tequilas labeled “100% blue agave” rather than “mixed” tequilas, which contain only a portion of agave. White/silver tequilas provide pure, clean agave flavor, while aged tequilas like reposado and añejo have more complex, woodsy notes.
Use freshly squeezed orange juice
Similar to lime juice, freshly squeezed orange juice has a far superior flavor compared to bottled orange juice. Take the extra couple minutes to hand squeeze oranges. It makes a remarkable difference in the margarita’s flavor. The orange juice adds sweetness and balances out the tartness.
Infuse with fresh fruit
For a fruit-flavored margarita, add slices of fresh fruit like mango, pineapple, strawberry or peach to the shaker. Muddle the fruit gently to release the flavors before adding the other ingredients. The fresh fruit infuses the margarita with extra sweetness and fruit essence. Just take care not to over-muddle the fruit, which can make the drink too pulpy.
Make your own orange liqueur
Store-bought orange liqueurs like triple sec or Cointreau work fine, but homemade has a special appeal. Combine 1 cup vodka with the zest from 2 oranges and 1 tablespoon of orange juice. Let the mixture infuse for 48 hours so the vodka absorbs the fresh orange flavors. Fine strain and you have homemade orange liqueur!
Splash in some ginger beer
For a refreshing twist, add 1-2 ounces of ginger beer to your margarita shaker. The ginger beer adds effervescence, a hint of ginger bite and extra complexity. Just avoid going overboard on the ginger beer, as too much can make the drink excessively gingery.
Use jalapeño infused tequila
If you like some heat, infuse tequila with jalapeños for a spicy kick. Combine 1-2 sliced jalapeños with 1 cup tequila. Let it infuse for at least 2 hours, then strain out the peppers. The longer the peppers steep, the spicier the tequila will become. Start with an hour or two and taste test to get the desired spiciness.
Make a spicy rim
For an extra dash of heat, rim half the glass with Tajín Clásico seasoning instead of just salt. Tajín contains chili peppers, sea salt and dehydrated lime. The combination of saltiness, acidity and gentle heat is amazing on a margarita. Just be sure to only rim half the glass so drinkers can alternate between the spicy rim and regular salt.
Float a liqueur on top
Try adding a splash of flavored liqueur on top of the finished margarita for extra flavor in every sip. Good choices are blackberry brandy, orange liqueur, or chocolate liqueur drizzled over the foam. The liqueur will slowly blend into the drink as it’s consumed.
Garnish with fresh herbs
Herbs can provide aromatic flavor to margaritas. Try garnishing your drink with sprigs of fresh cilantro, basil, sage or rosemary. Lightly slap the herbs to release their essential oils before placing them in the drink. The herbal aromas will accent each sip.
Rim the glass with spices
For a creative twist, rim half the glass with a spice blend instead of just salt. Good options include chili powder blended with lime zest, cinnamon sugar, or cayenne pepper and brown sugar. The flavors will perfectly complement the tangy margarita.
Add some heat with peppers
If you like spicy drinks, add a slice of jalapeño, serrano or habanero pepper to the shaker. Let it infuse while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Strain out the pepper before serving. For milder heat, remove the seeds first. The pepper’s spice will give your margarita a lively kick.
Choosing the Right Glassware
Your glassware can influence the margarita drinking experience. Here are some glass options:
Margarita glass
A traditional margarita glass has a wide, shallow bowl perfect for blending ice, ingredients and enjoying with a salted rim. The shape allows you to savor the drink’s aromas. Margarita glasses are typically around 12 ounces.
Rocks glass
A rocks or old fashioned glass is sturdy and versatile. These squat tumblers hold 10-12 ounces and feature thick bases that won’t tip over easily. Rocks glasses keep drinks chilled and are great for shaken or blended margaritas on the rocks.
Coupe glass
Coupe glasses have a rounded bowl perched atop a slender stem. The shape allows for elegant presentation, especially for straight up margaritas without ice. But coupes tend to warm drinks quickly. Choose coupes around 5-6 ounces to maintain chill.
Beer mug
For frozen margaritas, an insulated beer mug is useful. The thick walls keep drinks colder longer than a typical glass. Look for dimpled mugs that give lots of surface area for frost to adhere to. Mugs are casual and practical for big, frozen drinks.
Mason jar
Mason jars have a cool, rustic look perfect for casual margarita enjoyment. The thick glass helps maintain chilling temperatures. Just be aware mason jars don’t have a stemmed base, so can easily tip over. Opt for wide mouth jars to accommodate sipping.
How to Make a Fresh Margarita Step-By-Step
Follow these steps to make a fantastic margarita at home:
Gather ingredients and tools
You’ll need tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, lime juice, ice, coarse salt and a glass. Optional ingredients include simple syrup, fresh fruit or herbs. Tools include a cocktail shaker, strainer and citrus juicer or reamer.
Juice the limes
Always use fresh lime juice. Roll the limes firmly before cutting them open to maximize juice extraction. Squeeze the lime halves using a juicer or reamer. Remove any seeds. You need about 1 ounce juice per drink.
Wet the rim (optional)
Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it into a saucer of coarse salt. Tap gently to coat the rim with salt. For a spicy rim, use chili powder or other spices instead of salt.
Fill cocktail shaker with ice
Fill the shaker about halfway with ice cubes. Ice helps properly blend and chill the margarita. Use good quality ice if possible – dense cubes that won’t quickly melt and dilute the drink.
Pour ingredients into shaker
Add 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce Cointreau and 1 ounce fresh lime juice into the iced cocktail shaker. Adjust ratios to taste preference. For a sweeter drink, add 0.5 ounce of simple syrup.
Shake vigorously
Seal the shaker and shake hard for about 15-20 seconds. This blends and chills the margarita properly. Don’t be timid! Shake with purpose to integrate the ingredients.
Strain into glass
Unseal the shaker and place the built-in strainer over the glass. Pour the margarita through the strainer into the prepared glass. This catches any ice shards or lime seeds.
Garnish and serve
Garnish your margarita with a lime wedge squeezed lightly to release its aromatics. Add a salt or sugar rim for extra flavor. Serve it chilled and enjoy!
Tips for Better Margaritas
Here are some extra tips for taking your margaritas to the next level:
– Shake with ice for at least 15-20 seconds to get it frosty cold
– Wet your glass with water before salting the rim to make the salt adhere better
– Use coarsely ground salt for the rim rather than fine table salt
– Keep margarita ingredients chilled in the freezer or refrigerator
– Add your best tequila – save the bottom shelf stuff for mixed drinks
– Squeeze citrus just before mixing – fresh citrus doesn’t hold well
– Don’t over-squeeze limes – excess pulp can make margaritas bitter
– Optional: blend in a licorice stick while shaking for subtle anise flavor
Common Margarita Mistakes to Avoid
While making margaritas is fairly straightforward, there are some pitfalls to avoid:
Using low-quality ingredients
Cheap tequila or sour mix from a bottle will make margaritas that don’t taste fresh. Splurge on the good stuff.
Not shaking or blending enough
Failing to properly integrate ingredients yields a subpar, watery drink. Shake vigorously!
Letting it get warm
Margaritas are best icy cold. Use plenty of ice and chilled ingredients to keep it frosty.
Too much citrus juice
Overloading on tart citrus sours the drink quickly. Use juice from 1 lime per 2-3 ounces tequila.
Glassware that’s too large
Oversized glassware causes margaritas to warm up and dilute rapidly. Aim for 8-12 ounce glasses.
Using low-quality ice
Margaritas deserve premium ice – clear, hard cubes that won’t rapidly melt. Avoid cloudy, soft ice.
Not salting half the rim
Salt the entire rim and the drink becomes overwhelmingly salty. Leave half the rim bare.
Over-muddling fruit
Too much muddling turns fruit mushy and overpowers the other flavors. Muddle gently just to release juices.
10 Tasty Margarita Recipes to Try at Home
Ready to experiment with margarita flavors? Here are 10 delicious recipes to mix up:
Classic Lime Margarita
The standard by which all others are judged. This 3-ingredient recipe spotlights clean lime and tequila flavors.
Strawberry Margarita
Blend sweet strawberries into the classic mix for a fruit-forward pink drink. Rim with strawberry sugar for a flavorful twist.
Spicy Pineapple Margarita
Pineapple and jalapeño make a tangy, tongue-tingling team. Shake with cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Coconut Margarita
Trade orange liqueur for coconut rum and rim the glass with coconut flakes. Frosty, tropical perfection.
Blood Orange Margarita
Vibrant blood orange juice adds gorgeous color and tart-sweet flavor. Shake with tequila, Cointreau and lime.
Prickly Pear Margarita
Infuse tequila with prickly pear puree and citrus juices for a smooth, pink-hued sipper.
Honeydew Margarita
For a melon twist, puree honeydew with lime and shake with tequila. Sweet and lush.
Blueberry Sage Margarita
Muddle blueberries with tequila and shake with muddled sage leaves for an herbal kick.
Skinny Margarita
A lighter option with agave nectar instead of sugary liqueurs. Keep sipping guilt-free.
Spiced Pear Margarita
Shake tequila with pear nectar and apple cider, finish with cinnamon sugar rim. Festive and fall-friendly.
Which Tequila is Best for Margaritas?
While personal taste varies, here are some excellent tequila options for crafting margaritas:
| Tequila | Description |
|---|---|
| Espolòn Blanco | An affordable high-quality blanco with bright agave flavors |
| Casamigos Reposado | George Clooney’s smooth tequila with hints of oak and vanilla |
| Patròn Silver | A crisp and elegant premium tequila made from quality highland agave |
| Clase Azul Reposado | A luxury tequila in stunning hand-painted bottles |
| El Tesoro Añejo | An extra añejo tequila aged over 3 years in old bourbon barrels |
For a classic margarita that really spotlights the tequila, blanco/plata tequilas are a good bet. Their fresh agave flavors shine through when mixed with lime and orange liqueur.
Aged tequilas like reposado and añejo work well too. Reposado offers pleasing oak accents, while añejo delivers more intense wood, vanilla and caramel notes that pair nicely with the citrus.
While you can always go with budget tequilas in mixed drinks, premium 100% agave tequila makes a noticeable difference in taste. The better the tequila, the better the margarita!
Conclusion
The margarita is a timeless classic capable of endless variations. With quality ingredients, proper technique and creative twists, you can whip up outstanding margaritas at home to enjoy all year round. So don’t settle for mix from a bottle! Mix up a batch of top-shelf margaritas and sip your way to tropical paradise. Salud!