Classic margaritas — just good tequila, fresh lime juice and Cointreau. Salt the rim, sit back and enjoy.
I usually prefer wine, but a properly made margarita is something I enjoy with Mexican food. Not the neon green sour-mix versions, and not overly sweet frozen drinks either. A simple, balanced margarita is what I look for.
I decided to make a classic margarita at home. I’m not claiming to be a tequila or cocktail expert, but I know when a drink tastes authentic and just right.
What you need: good tequila, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, a rocks glass, kosher salt and a shaker. The simple ratio I follow is 3 parts tequila, 2 parts lime juice, 1 part Cointreau.
No bottled mix or added sugar is necessary. Some people prefer Triple Sec as a less expensive orange liqueur; I personally like the flavor of Cointreau.
If you don’t have a shot glass, a good starting point is about 1½ ounces (roughly 3 tablespoons) of tequila per drink. I often measure with tablespoons — it works well for a single serving.
A small tip I read and follow: salt the rim on the outside only so you avoid getting salt on the inside of the glass.
This is a straightforward classic margarita — ideal for sipping on a warm day with guacamole and chips. Cheers, Kelly.
You might also enjoy these classic Mexican recipes to pair with your margarita:
- Perfect Guacamole — an ideal companion to a margarita.
- Homemade Tortilla Chips — great with guacamole.
- Red Enchilada Sauce — an authentic, from-scratch sauce made with guajillo chiles.
Classic Margaritas
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons good tequila ~ I used a reposado
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Cointreau
- Kosher salt
- Lime wedges, to salt the rim and for garnish
Instructions
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Salt the rocks glass: rub a lime wedge around the rim, press the outside of the rim into kosher salt on a small plate, and wipe away any salt that lands on the inside. Fill the glass with ice.
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Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. Add tequila, lime juice and Cointreau. Shake until well chilled and combined. Strain into the salted glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Cheers.
Recipe Notes
Rule of thumb: 3 parts tequila, 2 parts lime juice, 1 part Cointreau.