Classic Margarita

During the summer months, no drink hits the spot quite like a margarita. Trust us, we’ve tried! Whether you're a strawberry margarita lover, crave the refreshing taste of a watermelon margarita, or prefer a traditional margarita, this classic cocktail can’t be beat as a match for the summer heat. 

No margarita mix is required with this margarita recipe, either – be your own bartender (BYOB?) by whipping up a batch of margaritas from scratch.

Who Invented the Margarita?

Many people like to honor Mexican heritage and culture by way of Cinco De Mayo, where margaritas are often plentiful! But in the same way that we don’t necessarily question who blessed us with the invention of guacamole, many of us don’t know the origins of the traditional margarita, either.

Knowing the history of our fave cocktails just makes enjoying them that much sweeter (unless you prefer yours with a little less agave). As with most stories that involve alcohol, things can sometimes get a little blurry and confusing when we take a deep dive into this pool of historical mezcal. 

‍

Some sources claim that a Mexican man crafted this classic cocktail for his restaurant in Tijuana. Other people tell a different tale, one of the margarita being created by a bartender in honor of a popular Mexican showgirl. And there are multiple other stories about the margarita’s creation, such as one suggestion that this cocktail we associate with Mexico was actually invented by an Irishman. 

Whatever the reality, summer get-togethers just wouldn’t be complete without this tequila-laden treat.

What Makes a Perfect Margarita?

Fruity yet not-too-sweet, this perfect margarita recipe provides an amazing slate for elevating any festive shindig, not to mention the ability to customize this drink to make it your own! Fresh lime juice is usually traditional, but who said you couldn’t swap out lime juice for lemon juice or even Japanese yuzu if you are feelin’ extra? 

You can give this margarita recipe a little kick by adding a dash or two of cayenne pepper or jalapeno to create a spicy margarita. This margarita recipe is even versatile enough to add crushed ice into the mix – blending this drink mix with some ice cubes in a high-speed blender to create a frozen margarita worthy of a tropical getaway. 

An agave-based spirit such as tequila is a must-have, of course, but there are actually five different kinds of tequila that you can use for your next batch of margs. 

The Different Types of Tequila (and Mezcal)

The three basic types of tequila are reposado, blanco, and añejo. Things get broken down a step further with extra añejotequila, which, as the name suggests, is aged for a bit longer than your basic añejo (and the price on these bottles usually takes that into consideration!). 

And if you haven’t heard of Cristalino tequila, you are in for a VIP treat. This tantalizing tequila type (say that five times fast) has been filtered through charcoal to remove bitter tannins, as well as aged to perfection. Think of Cristalino tequila as a more refined añejo, literally.

‍

You may be wondering about the role that mezcal plays in the margarita-making world. Are tequila and mezcal interchangeable? Well, not quite. 

At their core, both tequila and mezcal are derived from the agave plant. Agave is a type of succulent that thrives in arid, desert climates of the Americas and the Caribbean. Agave has many different uses, such as creating sweet agave syrup and, of course – alcohol. Technically, all tequila can be considered mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Are you keeping up? 

To be considered tequila, an agave spirit must come from one of five Mexican states: Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Jalisco, or Tamaulipas. And this isn’t just lip service, either. 

Mexican law actually dictates what states in which tequila can be produced! Most of these states lie on the west coast of Mexico, with the exception of the eastern state of Tamaulipas. If you have found yourself with another agave-based alcohol outside of these five states in Mexico, you’ve got mezcal on your hands. 

Tequila and mezcal are both produced in a very similar fashion. The main difference between these two alcohols is that tequila is aged to one of the five levels we touched on above, while mezcal is intended to be enjoyed without really setting foot into the aging process. 

This makes mezcal typically more intense flavor-wise than tequila, with tequila having a smoother finish. Which agave-distilled spirit you choose to bless your classic margarita with is entirely up to you! Dealer’s choice, as they say.

Margarita Ingredients

Most traditional margarita recipes call for a few of the same staple ingredients for this drink to truly be considered a margarita. Tequila? That’s a no-brainer. Some sort of citrus and citrus liqueur? Of course! 

Citrus helps give some bright notes in this margarita recipe, especially in the form of Triple Sec or Grand Marnier. We’ve gotta get our vitamin C in, right? Most brands of orange liqueur hail from France, as this margarita recipe has us taking a little trip to Mexico with a European detour. 

Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, and Cointreau are three of the most popular forms of orange liqueur that you will find at your local liquor store. The complex flavors of orange liqueur easily liven up most drink recipes and are a welcome guest to a margarita!

Simple syrup or maple syrup balances out the alcohol in this tangy cocktail. Another option is to use agave nectar, which is a sweet syrup that comes from this multifaceted powerhouse succulent. And we cannot forget about kosher salt or sea salt for the rim of your glass. 

Salt enhances each flavor of this cocktail, from the warm tequila to leveling out any bitterness that the orange liqueur imparts. Each of the dynamic flavors can shine through just a little more brightly by adding salt to the rim of the glass. 

A salted rim on a margarita glass is just the cherry on top when it comes to margs – or should we say, the lime wedge on top? A garnish included on your margarita glass takes the fun up a notch. We think that it is a scientifically proven fact that any drink is made infinitely more fun to drink when it is garnished with a lime wedge and a lil umbrella.

How To Make a Classic Margarita

No need to be intimidated by the thought of making your own margarita in-house. You don’t need to have a perfectly stocked bar to perfect this classic margarita recipe. But we definitely do recommend investing in a cocktail shaker if you don’t already have one on hand. 

With a cocktail shaker, you have the ability to make a ton of other drinks at home for every occasion! A cocktail shaker can be used to make other beverages, such as martinis, daiquiris, gin and tonics, and mojitos. 

When making a margarita, like in this recipe, you will want to use your cocktail shaker right before serving. This will allow the drink mixture to come together effortlessly and be thoroughly chilled.

Channel your inner mixologist with this simple recipe for the best margarita that will have you and your friends feeling like you’re chillin’ at the bar of SUR. And when you can capture those vibes in your own backyard, you are truly winning at life.

Looking for a margarita recipe to impress your peeps poolside? Look no further than this recipe for the absolute perfect margarita. We can’t wait for you to try it!