Classic Margarita

I did a quick check and guess what? I have not posted a classic margarita recipe yet. Well, it is high time to correct that oversight! I am not talking your cheap tequila and bottled margarita mix with ice into a blender kind of margarita, but the robust and intensely flavorful Classic Margarita. I found the ratio for the ingredients on the Serious Eats website, but I definitely tweaked it… and here is why. I believe using straight lime juice is fine, if you want to taste the standard tequila shot in your drink. I want more… so I added a portion of lemon juice. Also, I do not use simple syrup in this cocktail if it needs sweetness (which really depends on the Triple Sec/Cointreau/etc ingredient). I use Grand Imperial which I find delicious in it’s lack of it being overly sweet. So I use agave syrup when I need a boost of sweet to the cocktail. Another aspect of the Serious Eats recipe I wholeheartedly agree on is regarding the tequila – use a higher quality tequila for optimal results. Of course, I used my favorite – Herradura. I did some testing with all silver, half and half, and all anejo. They were all very good, but interestingly different. I would call all that testing valid so that I know that I can mix and match if needed to get unique results. So juice a few limes and a lemon, add some orange liqueur and tequila and make yourself a party!

Save Print

Classic Margarita

Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 1

Ingredients

2 oz tequila
1 oz Grand Imperial (or your favorite orange liqueur like Cointreau, etc)
½ oz lime juice
¼ oz lemon juice
1 tsp agave syrup
flake salt (optional)

Instructions

Spread the salt onto a small plate.
Cut the limes and lemon in half, removing two ⅛ inch thick wheels of lime for garnish.
Juice the rest of the limes and lemon together.
Chill a glass with ice.
Dump the ice and wet the edge with a lime wheel.
Dip wet edge of glass into salt.
Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled, approximately 20 seconds.
Strain into the glass and add the lime wheel on the edge.

Spread the salt onto a small plate. Cut the limes and lemon in half, removing two 1/8 inch thick wheels for garnish. Juice the limes and lemon together.

Dump the ice from the glass and wet the edge with a lime wheel. Dip wet edge of glass into salt. Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled, approximately 20 seconds. Strain into the glass and add the lime wheel on the edge.