Discover how to craft the perfect classic margarita, an iconic cocktail celebrated globally for its refreshing, citrus-infused taste, spotlighting the authentic essence of Mexican tequila. This easy-to-follow recipe doesn’t require lavish ingredients or lengthy preparation—just a zest for mixing and a generous serving of limes. Perfect for enhancing your Cinco de Mayo celebrations, dive into this timeless beverage that seamlessly combines simplicity with sophistication.
Margarita Ingredients
If you’ve found yourself wondering how to make a margarita, the easiest way to overcome the obstacle is to think about the basics. While store-bought margarita mixes are a handy and super-easy way to make the iconic cocktail, nothing compares to the real thing. Margarita ingredients are simple to find and more often than not, you’ll find them at the back of the liquor cabinet, along with a few novelty shot glasses, party hats and swizzle sticks that haven’t been touched since your 21st birthday. Here are the essential margarita ingredients;
- 2 parts Tequila
- 1 part triple sec liqueur
- 1 part lime juice
- Salt
- Cubed ice
While not as simple as the old fashioned or a gin & tonic, the margarita is still a fairly easy-to-organise cocktail that only requires a few basic ingredients. Where the flavour comes from is in your choice of tequila and triple sec. A spicy tequila will cut through the acidity of the lime juice, whereas a smoother tequila will need to be weighed with the salt. It’s a delicate balancing act that you will need to traverse.
Margarita Recipe
Now, on to the real thing. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients and got your equipment sorted, you’re ready to get stuck into the margarita recipe. The recipe that we are using in this special Cinco de Mayo feature is the one put forward by the International Bartenders Association. This recipe is the go-to method for how to make a margarita cocktail. Even better, it’s super simple and easy to make. Here is the method for making the perfect margarita cocktail;
- Fill your Margarita glass with ice (to chill)
- Combine two parts tequila with 1one part triple sec and one part lime juice in a shaker.
- Add lots of ice
- Shake hard for 30 seconds to chill the liquid effectively
- Run a lime wedge around the outside of the rim of your glass
- Roll the rim in salt
- Using your strainer, double-strain the mix into the glass
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately
There you have it, the ultimate margarita recipe. Now you know how to make a Margarita that will not only impress the ladies but celebrate Mexican culture at the same time. The biggest thing you need to worry about is finding a tequila that won’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
Where Does the Margarita Drink Come From?
Mexican culture is traditionally vibrant and colourful, so it’s little wonder our preferred Mexican cocktail shares a similar set of characteristics. A favourite of the holiday-maker and party-goer alike, the margarita is arguably the most common and well-loved tequila cocktail in the world. So, how did the margarita become Mexico’s most-celebrated drink?
History of the Margarita
The legend of the margarita cocktail is one steeped in rich history and shrouded in mystery. According to cocktail historian (yes, that is a thing) David Wondrich, the Margarita is merely an adaptation of the popular American cocktail the Daisy. The brandy-based cocktail first gained popularity in the late 19th Century, with the earliest known recipe published in the second edition of Jerry Thomas’ The Bartenders Guide or How To Mix Drinks: The Bon-Vivant’s Companion way back in 1876.
Thomas wrote that the Daisy was to be made with a few dashes of gum syrup, Curacao liqueur, lemon juice, brandy and Jamaica rum. However, while the Daisy certainly had some flavour similarities to what we now know as the margarita, it wouldn’t be until 1938 that we saw the classic cocktail take shape.
The most famous story of the margarita’s inception involved popular restaurant owner Carlos “Denny” Herrera. In 1938, Herrera allegedly created the archetypal margarita at his Rancho La Gloria restaurant, for customer and former Broadway dancer Majorie King, who was famously allergic to many spirits, but not tequila.
Other stories involve Dallas socialite Margarita Sames, singer Peggy Lee and the legendary Balinese Room in Texas, but there is little to substantiate these claims. All we know is that the Margarita cocktail first appeared by name in popular culture in the December 1953 issue of Esquire. Other publications had referenced a tequila Daisy but Esquire was the first to pen the Margarita name. If ever there was a shred of doubt that the Margarita was indeed a derivative of the Daisy, one needs only look at the translation. Margarita is Spanish for Daisy.
Things to Consider for the Margarita Cocktail
When it comes to making a classic margarita at home, it’s not just as straightforward as slapping some ingredients in a shaker. To get the most out of your concoction, here’s waht you need to consider.
What is the Best Tequila For a Margarita Cocktail?
Whatever your budget, flavour preference or profile, there will be a tequila for you. The perfect Margarita hinges directly on the tequila you chose for the base, so this is a significant decision. Here, we’ve put together seven of the best tequilas for Margaritas for a choose your own Cinco de Mayo adventure.
- Aged Tequila – Patron Añejo Tequila
- Premium Tequila – Clase Azul Reposado Tequila
- Light Tequila – Patrón Silver
- Authentic Tequila – Espolon Reposado
- Budget Tequila – El Jimador Reposado
- Oaky Tequila – Herradura Reposado
Margarita Equipment
To make the perfect margarita cocktail, you will need a few things in your bartending arsenal. While not entirely essential, these tools of the trade will make the job of creating the colour cocktail far easier, and make you look like you know what you’re doing simultaneously. Here is what you need to make a Margarita;
- Shaker
- Strainer
- Sieve
- Margarita glass
