Best Margarita Recipe
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jul 14, 2025 
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.
The Best Margarita Recipe You’ll Ever Try
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!
Our “Best Margarita Recipe” is an absolute favorite in our home… and neighborhood. It should be noted that they could also be called Knock You Naked Margaritas due to their strength!
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.
If you want a fruity margarita to try, give our Strawberry Margarita Recipe, Grapefruit Margarita Recipe, or Spicy Pineapple Habanero Margarita a try! We also have a fabulous Frozen Margarita Recipe.
Ingredients You Need
The ingredients that really make a difference (in my opinion) in a simple margarita recipe 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 stick with fresh limes and good tequila.
How To Make Margaritas
The great thing about our 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. Garnish the glasses with a salted rim, sliced limes or oranges, and serve. Ole’!
Find the full simple Margarita recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
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.
Serving Suggestions
Having a homemade margarita is even better when paired with some appetizers or even your favorite Mexican-inspired meal! Here are some of my favorites to pair a refreshing marg with:
- Homemade Salsa Recipe
- Roasted Tomato Salsa
- Easy Guacamole (Authentic)
- Tomatillo Avocado Salsa Verde
- Shrimp Tacos
- Spicy Turkey Tacos
- Mexican Corn Dip
- Chipotle Peach Salsa
- Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
- Bean Dip
Best Margarita Recipe
Video
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'!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
The secret to a perfect margarita is the quality of the ingredients. Since a homemade margarita has so few ingredients, you need to use high-quality ingredients! Plus, you should use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of a margarita mix.
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 margarita ingredients with 2-3 cups of cubed ice. Puree until smooth.
However, if you are looking for super simple, quick frozen margaritas, try our Frozen Margarita Recipe.
Don’t need an entire pitcher? No problem! For single servings made in a shaker, combine 2 ounces of Tequila, 2 ounces of lime juice, 1 ounce of La Belle, 3/4 ounce of simple syrup, 1/3 ounce of orange juice, and 1/3 ounce of Triple Sec.
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 a better depth of flavor.
Yes, there are some simple syrups that you can buy for your margaritas. Brands Dan recommends are Barsmith (for a low-cost option), Yes Cocktail Company, Uncommon Goods, and Proof Syrup.
You can also make agave syrup if you prefer.
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!
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!
Nice for an evening relaxer. Smile
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.