Margarita recipe
Tequila, Cointreau and lime juice, shaken and strained into a margarita glass, garnished with a slice of lime and salt around the rim of the glass.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 4 ingredients
- Margarita glass
What Ingredients do you need to make a Margarita?
Tequila
Tequila is made from the fermented juice of the blue agave plant primarily in the city of Tequila, in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
In order for Tequila to be official (and to actually be called a Tequila), it must be made in specific regions of Mexico and follow strict regulations.
Different Types of Tequila
There are 5 main types of Tequila:
Blanco (Silver) – Clear, usually unaged with a strong agave flavour.
Reposado – Aged in oak barrels for 2 to 12 months, giving it a smoother flavour with hints of oak and vanilla.
Añejo – Aged 1 to 3 years, offering richer, more complex flavours.
Extra Añejo – Aged over 3 years, with deep, refined flavours, often compared to fine cognacs or whiskies.
Joven (Gold) – A mix of Blanco and aged tequilas, sometimes with added colouring or flavouring.
Cointreau
Cointreau is an orange-flavoured Triple Sec liqueur.
Cointreau was first sold in 1875 and has become a well-established popular brand ever since, selling around 13 million bottles a year in 150 different countries.
What Equipment do you need to make a Margarita?
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bond says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.
If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed cocktail shaker comparison.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
Advertisement
Recipe card
Margarita
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Margarita glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add ice, tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice to your cocktail shaker.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a margarita glass.
- Garnish with a slice of lime, and salt around the rim of the glass.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of margaritas.
Margarita FAQs
What Ingredients do you need to make a Margarita?
What Equipment do you need to make a Margarita?
You’ll need a cocktail shaker.
What alcohol is in a Margarita?
A Margarita contains 35ml / 1.2oz tequila and 20ml / 0.7oz Cointreau.
Is a Margarita shaken or stirred?
A Margarita is shaken. Shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker, then strain it into a margarita glass.
Can I make a Margarita without a cocktail shaker?
No. Without a cocktail shaker, you can make a Margarita like this: Add ice, tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice to a margarita glass. Garnish with a slice of lime, and salt around the rim of the glass.
What glass is a Margarita served in?
Serve a Margarita in a margarita glass.
How do you garnish a Margarita?
Garnish a Margarita with a slice of lime and salt around the rim of the glass.
How do I make a Margarita for a group?
The recipe makes one drink. Multiply every measure by the number of drinks you want: for 4, you’d need 140ml tequila, 80ml Cointreau and 60ml lime juice. Shake one or two drinks at a time, so there’s room in the shaker for the ice.
