Margarita Cocktail

The original margarita is one of the easiest cocktails you can make from scratch. You'll love the refreshing lime flavor backed by your favorite tequila, and this classic recipe inspired every other margarita in the world.

There is no mystery to this iconic drink, and the secret to a great margarita is its simplicity. The only ingredients you need are tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Once you find an ideal balance of flavor, you'll realize just how delicious a fresh margarita is and why it's hard to justify buying a bottled margarita mix.

A margarita glass is not required, and there are three main ways to serve a margarita: straight up, on the rocks, or frozen. You can also rim the glass with salt or sugar or leave it bare. The variations don't stop there. Whether you want to mix up a Mason jar margarita or add flavor, there's a margarita recipe for every taste and occasion.

Is Triple Sec Required in a Margarita?

Triple sec is one of the key ingredients in a margarita. It acts as the drink's sweetener and adds a hint of orange flavor. You can use another orange liqueur, such as curaçao, and the Cadillac margarita uses the brandy-based Grand Marnier. Though definitely not an authentic margarita, some people prefer to skip the liqueur and use simple syrup with a squeeze of fresh orange juice instead (orange-flavored syrup is an alternative). With these changes, you will need to play with the proportions to create a well-balanced margarita.

Where Was the Margarita Invented?

There are a number of stories about where the margarita was created. It's difficult to say which (if any) is true. In the book "Imbibe!," David Wondrich traces its roots to the repeal of Prohibition. "Margarita" is the Spanish word for "daisy" and this drink (along with the original tequila sunrise) belongs to the daisy family of cocktails.

Drinks like the brandy daisy were very popular in the late 1800s and made with any base spirit, including brandy, gin, rum, and whiskey. They follow a formula of spirit, sweetener, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and soda. When tequila started to reach American bars, the tequila daisy—made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and sometimes soda—appeared. It wasn't long before it became known as the margarita.

What's the Difference Between a Daiquiri and a Margarita?

The daiquiri and margarita are two very popular classic cocktails that have a similar sweet-tart flavor profile. The original recipes for both use lime juice, though the daiquiri has a rum base and is typically sweetened with simple syrup rather than triple sec. Both cocktails can be made with a variety of fruits or tossed in the blender too.

What You'll Need to Make This Margarita Recipe

A Great Cocktail Jigger

A Handy Dandy Citrus Juicer

A Sleek Cocktail Shaker