Best Margarita Recipe
The Best Margarita Recipe – Truly the absolute BEST margaritas we’ve ever tasted! These easy homemade margaritas are tangy, slightly sweet, and complex in flavor.
Why We Love This Classic Margarita Recipe
Where does your mind take you when you think of margaritas? Does it involve the sun, sand, and crystal blue water? Maybe a pontoon boat on the lake with a bunch of friends? How about a backyard pool, music in the background, chips and salsa on the picnic table, and sounds of fun and laughter all around?
Or possibly your favorite restaurant, surrounded by tacos and fajitas, salt-rimmed glasses, and pitchers brimming with that “concoction that helps me hang on…”
Wherever it takes you, it is surely a happy place, usually filled with sun, friends, food, and fun.
My homemade margaritas recipe uses ALL the good stuff to make delicious margaritas that will take you right to your happy place. They have the perfect combination of sweet and sour flavors that are easy to drink and pair with so many Mexican-inspired meals. Use high quality ingredients and freshly squeezed lime juice for the best results!
Make this margarita cocktail recipe on cinco de mayo, or celebrate national margarita day on February 22!
Our Homemade Margarita Recipe
What is the secret to the perfect margarita?
The ingredients that really make a difference (in my opinion) in a Mexican margarita are:
- Good Tequila – the older the tequila the smoother it is; try a good blanco or reposado tequila
- Triple Sec and La Belle (or Grand Marnier) – you want both for deep flavor, or use cointreau or another favorite orange liqueur
- Homemade Simple Syrup – this is to balance out the alcohol, or try with agave for a skinny margarita
- Orange Juice – just a bit to add sweetness along with more bright, citrus zest
- Fresh Limes – citrus-y acid from fresh lime juice to offer a tropical note
- Garnishes – coarse or flake sea salt and slices of oranges and lime wedges for the rim of the glass
The other ingredients can be tweaked to your liking, but try to stick with fresh limes and good tequila.
The Best Margarita Recipe You’ll Ever Try
“The Best Margarita Recipe” is the favorite in our house. It’s simple and packed with flavor.
It should be mentioned it could also be called Knock You Naked Margaritas because they are strong!
These babies are boozy and limey, yet still balanced with a hint of sweetness and salt. We typically make them by the pitcher (or two), although this particular day we had homemade margaritas for two in a cocktail shaker.
We usually invite friends to share. (Or we serve something else because we drank the pitcher before they arrived).
How To Make Margaritas
The great thing about The Best Margarita Recipe is that you can literally add all the ingredients at once, in a pitcher, and leave it until you’re ready to serve.
BUT just in case you need a step by step here it is:
- Start by making the simple syrup if you don’t have any on hand. Mix 7 ounces of sugar with 7 ounces of water. Microwave until the sugar has dissolved. You should have about 9-10 ounces so there will be a little extra for rimming the glasses.
- Now pour all the ingredients into a large pitcher. Stir well and chill.
- When ready to serve, pour the remaining simple syrup into a shallow dish. Pour sea salt or coarse salt in a second shallow dish. Then dip the glass rims in simple syrup, followed by sea salt. Add ice to the glasses if desired to have homemade margaritas on the rocks, and fill a shaker with ice. Add the margarita mix to the shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds – pour into glasses.
Garnish the glasses with a salted rim, sliced limes or oranges, and serve. Ole’!
Get the Complete (Printable) Best Margaritas Recipe Below. Enjoy and Drink Responsibly!
Tips & Tricks
- For the very best margarita experience, never use a pre-made margarita mix! Those are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients. The flavors of the ingredients added here taste so much better!
- Only use fresh lime juice! Don’t use the concentrated kind. If you don’t want to squeeze them, get lime juice from the refrigerated juice section.
- Use your favorite tequila! We love using tequila blanco but you can use any tequila of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Make the Best Blended Frozen Margaritas?
We like our margaritas on the rocks, but this recipe also works well for creating fun and frosty blended frozen margarita recipe.
In a blender, combine the margaritas ingredients with 2-3 cups of cubed ice. Puree until smooth.
However, if you are looking for a super simple quick frozen margarita recipe, check out these Easiest Frozen Margaritas.
How Do I Make A Single Serving of the Best Margarita Recipe?
Don’t need an entire pitcher? No problem! For single servings made in a shaker, combine 2 ounces Tequila, 2 ounces lime juice, 1 ounce La Belle, 3/4 ounce simple syrup, 1/3 ounce orange juice, 1/3 ounce Triple Sec.
Do I have to use both Triple Sec and Grand Marnier?
You could certainly use one or the other. Dan likes to add them both because they do taste a little different. He says adding them both creates better depth of flavor.
Can I purchase a Simple Syrup instead of making it?
Yes, there are some simple syrups that you can buy for your margaritas. Brands Dan would recommend are Barsmith (for a low-cost option), Yes Cocktail Company, Uncommon Goods, and Proof Syrup.
You can also make agave syrup if you prefer.
How Do You Store Leftover Margaritas?
If you end up having some leftovers (unlike me, haha) pour what is left into a freezable container and pop those in the freezer! Mason jars are great for this, especially if you want to freeze them in single-serving sizes making it easier to pull them out later and enjoy!
Looking for More Margarita Recipes To Love?
- Spicy Pineapple Habanero Margaritas Recipe
- Cranberry Pomegranate Margarita with Spiced Rim Recipe
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita Recipe
- Pink Grapefruit Margarita Recipe
- Bangkok Margarita Recipe
- Frozen Beeritas Recipe
Check the printable recipe card below for Nutrition Information including calories, carbs, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, and vitamin percentages.
Best Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 18 ounces Tequila Blanco
- 18 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice (could be fresh bottled lime juice from the refrigerated section, but not the concentrated kind. FRESH)
- 9 ounces La Belle or Grand Marnier
- 8 ounces simple syrup + a little extra for glass rims
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces Triple Sec
- coarse or flake sea salt for glass rims
- sliced lime and orange for garnish
Instructions
- Start by making the simple syrup, if you don't have any on hand. Mix 7 ounces sugar with 7 ounces water. Microwave until the sugar has dissolved. You should have about 9-10 ounces so there will be a little extra for rimming the glasses.
- In a large pitcher, combine all the margarita ingredients. Stir well and chill.
- When ready to serve, pour the remaining simple syrup in a shallow dish. Pour sea salt (or flake salt) in a second shallow dish. Then dip the glass rims in simple syrup, followed by salt.
- Add ice to the glasses if desired, and fill a shaker with ice. Add the margarita mix to the shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds. Pour into glasses. Garnish the glasses with sliced limes or oranges and serve. Ole'!
I wish we didn’t have the .3 oz etc. we could have just left w half or whole oz. Most jigglers don’t break it down that much so hoping I can figure this out to make 😂😂
I appreciate the detailed instructions provided here. Making the simple syrup from scratch is a great way to ensure a balanced sweetness in the margarita. And the tip about using fresh-squeezed lime juice rather than concentrated juice is definitely a game-changer for that authentic taste. Thank you for sharing this incredible margarita recipe! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
These are the best margaritas! A bit on the strong side for some but if you use good ingredients it’s going to be perfect. I always use Grand Marnier or La Belle or Harlequin They are not just orange liquors but contain some brandy. Always fresh squeezed limes. You don’t have to go crazy but use a good quality tequila. You’re going to love it!
Thank LT . Dan,
It’s
alw
ays great to share libation recipes 🤠 please keep up the great work and y’all have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo.
OoooOle LT Dan great recipe for Rita’s
Thank you LT Dan for your Margarita tips😇
these margs taste so great with my cinco de mayo recipes that I made, it is the perfect finisher to this meal!
We subbed whiskey sour mix for simple syrup and halved the line juice. Our family thought it was the best ever!
I’ve looked and looked for a really great margarita recipe. Finally, I found it! Thank you!!
Amazing Recipe!! I added fresh watermelon to make watermelon Margs. Delicious!
TGIF! Whipping these up tonight!
Just in time for the Cinco de Mayo parties!
This looks yummy! I don’t drink but can leave the alcohol out.
This is an amazing drink for any get together party and it looks so delicious & sound too delicious….Thanks sommer for a beautiful drink…..!
Definitely going to make this during the quarantine time!
This is actually v good. Planned a mexican dinner with the wife, made this recipe had f few drinks then went to a famous local mex rest and guess what this marg was better than theirs!
Really so good!!!! Love that the recipe is adjustable. Big Hit!
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So where does your mind take you when you think of margaritas? hehe, it’s exactly around in my mind when I saw your best margarita recipe. Summer, summer, and vacation on the sunny beach.
Yum! This really is the best recipe for margarita :)
Divine!
Yes please! This is delicious!
Sure am glad it’s Friday! I must make this recipe this weekend!
Nothing better than a margarita on a warm day! Love this recipe!
Love a good margarita, looks awesome!
We adored these margaritas! They were a big hit when I whipped them up for everyone! Thank you!
The recipe looks intriguing, but you’re using Grand Marnier and Triple Sec. Aren’t they both triple secs? Nayway, which brand of Triple Sec do you use?
Hi Tony,
You could certainly use one or the other. Dan likes to add them both because they do taste a little different. He says adding them both creates depth. :)
This is an excellent recipe. I used agave syrup rather than simple syrup (and a slightly smaller amount). I also used 1/2 quality reposado and 1/2 quality anejo tequila. I also used Cointreu rather than Triple Sec because that was what I had. I turned out great. I like that it is a recipe for a pitcher amount. It was easy and everyone in the party raved about it. Thanks!
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Nice for an evening relaxer. Smile
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what is simple syrup and how do you make it?
Hi Cynde, It’s sugar syrup. You can make it or buy it. To make: mix 1 part sugar to 1 part water and warm until the sugar dissolves. :)
I could drink these all summer long!
Margarita perfection!
I can attest! Those are indeed the BEST margaritas ever!! Sommer made them for us whilst up in the mountains and WOW! They pack a perfect punch!
Oh you lucky thing! Enjoy your trip!
I could sure do with one of these right now.
How can you argue with the Best Marg EVER?! Oh that’s right – you CAN”T!!!
Okay so margaritas aren’t sophisticated. I can live with that. But sure are FUN.
This looks like a wonderful classic recipe. In fact I tagged it. You better have fun in Mexico. All of us are living vicariously off your vacation.
I’ll definitely cheers to that! Salud!
Welcome Back, Lt. Dan. So happy to here Sommer let you out of the dark room to share this boozy treat with us :) You can’t go wrong with a classic margarita. Now I’m imagining myself with one of these under an umbrella on the beach. Ahh, one can dream.
this looks AWESOME! have such a great time in Mexico!!
Such a beautiful margarita! Can I have one now?!
This is perfect for Cinco De Mayo.. (really any day..ha) Have fun in Mexico!!
Ahh, hope you’re having a blast in Mexico! So perfect that you’re there on Cinco de Mayo! Have lots of margs for me :) I’ll have to try your recipe at home and wish I were in Mexico! xo
The perfect refreshment for Cinco de Mayo!
Have fun in Mexico!! I have to say, I am so jealous. Sounds like such a fun trip!!
Love the margarita!
Wow. You’re really in Mexico for Cinco de Mayo. How cool is that?!
Have a blast! I’ll be checking for you pics. :)
Perfect drink for today!
Have the best time in Mexico! Love these margaritas, they look so refreshing!
Oh! Have fun in Mexico!! These truly do sound like the best. But just to be sure I’ll have to try one now. I know, it’s 7am on Monday. Don’t judge. Pinned!