Margaritas are a classic drink that we all know and love. It’s definitely the favorite cocktail here, so I created this guide to show you how to make a margarita, plus some of the BEST margarita recipes to try out, and everything you need to know about making the perfect drink, whether frozen, blended, or on the rocks!
Table of Contents
The Best Margaritas
Margaritas are my favorite cocktail, so I created this guide to answer ALL of your questions about the classic drink. And of course I’ll share some of the best margarita recipes too! Find an awesome recipe for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, game day, or any party.
I’ve got recipes for every type you can imagine:
- Classic margaritas
- Frozen margaritas
- Strawberry margaritas
- Skinny margaritas
- Flavored margaritas
I’ve tried them all, made them all, and loved them all. I’ve shared so many recipes here in the past, and this guide will let you in on all of my expert advice on how to make margaritas that are absolutely DELICIOUS every time.
What’s in a Margarita?
There are 3 main ingredients in a margarita:
- Tequila
- Triple Sec
- Lime Juice
So if you want to make a classic version, that’s all you’ll need. Of course, you can add all kinds of ingredients to change them up and create unique flavors.
Unless you chill your margaritas ahead of time, you’ll want plenty of ice too (on the rocks, blended, or frozen margaritas). And salting the rim of your margarita glass is a must!
Essential Tools
You really don’t need much to make these margarita recipes. Just a few simple tools and ingredients and you’re ready to go! These are the things I like to keep around my kitchen for cocktails.
- Pitcher
- Margarita Glasses
- Lime Juicer
- Zester
- Cocktail Shaker
- Straws
- Blender
Ingredients
Margaritas are a simple drink. Sure, you can get super creative and make all kinds of flavor combinations. But at the end of the day, all you really need are a few basic margarita ingredients. Be sure to pick these up at the store before you get started.
- Tequila
- Lime juice
- Fresh Limes
- Margarita Salt
- Triple Sec
- Fresh Fruit
- Ice
- Margarita Mix
How to Make a Margarita
Margaritas are actually really easy to make. It’s a simple drink with simple instructions. If you just want a truly classic margarita recipe, follow these directions.
This will make a single glass. Double it for an 8 ounce drink. If you want to make margaritas for multiple people, check my Pitcher Margarita recipe.
Keep reading below for FAQ and all of my best margarita recipes (of all types!)
Classic Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Triple Sec
- 1 ounce lime juice fresh squeezed
- 2 ounces Tequila
- 1/3 ounce Agave syrup
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Fill up cocktail shaker halfway with ice
- Add the rest of the ingredients & shake 10-15 seconds
- Pour into glass & garnish with lime wedge (salt the rim beforehand if you want)
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Nutrition Information
Top Tips to Make the Best Margaritas
- Keep your tequila in the freezer so the margaritas are nice & cold without extra ice.
- Mix in a bit of lime zest with the salted rim of your glasses.
- Always SHAKE your margaritas with ice before serving (no stirring!).
- Make your own lime juice by squeezing fresh limes.
- Try some fun, flavored salts on the rim of your glass!
How do you make a skinny margarita?
For my favorite skinny margarita recipe, I just make a couple of tiny changes compared to a classic margarita. Replace the Triple Sec with freshly squeezed orange juice for that simple orange flavor without the extra calories. You can also use agave syrup to add a bit of sweetness to your liking. This comes out to less than 200 calories for a large glass of my skinny margaritas!
Make Homemade Margarita Mix
Homemade margaritas are so easy to make from scratch, so I don’t think pre-made margarita mixes are really necessary. However, you can make your own homemade margarita mix (much better than store-bought mixes).
- Combine sugar, orange juice, lime juice, & salt in a saucepan on medium heat
- Heat for 5 minutes, until sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently
- Let the mixture cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week
If you’re planning to host a party, a mix will make the drink-making process much easier!
What is the best tequila for margaritas?
You can use whatever tequila you like for margaritas, but I prefer to go with cheaper options rather than the “best” Tequila. Once it’s mixed in, having the highest quality Tequila won’t matter.
That being said, I also don’t pick the cheapest Tequila. Go for a good mid-range Tequila and you’ll be set. Repasado Tequilas are much smoother than Blanco Tequilas, so I prefer that.
How do you make a frozen margarita?
Frozen Margaritas are a tasty treat for hot summer days. All you have to do is pour the ingredients into a blender, add ice, and mix. You can keep it icy like a slushie or turn it into more of a blended margarita by blending it until it’s smooth (both are great!).
How much alcohol is in a margarita?
This really depends on the recipe and your preferences. My preferred ratio for a great margarita is 2 parts Tequila to 1 part lime juice and 1 part Triple Sec. That’s quite a bit of alcohol in any given margarita (exactly how I like it).
So for a typical glass, you could expect 3 ounces of alcohol. If you want less alcohol in your drink, simply use a 1:1:1 ratio (instead of a 2:1:1 ratio).
How many calories are in a classic margarita?
Typically, you can expect a classic margarita on the rocks to run about 400-500 calories for an 8-ounce glass.
The Best Margarita Recipes
Food Pairing Suggestions
I don’t know about you, but I like having some good food to snack on while I’m enjoying a (few) margaritas. These dishes just go hand-in-hand with the recipes above. Chips, salsa, guacamole, tacos…the perfect pairing.
- Best Guacamole Recipe
- Margarita Fish Tacos
- Homemade Tortilla Chips
- Easy Blender Salsa
- Baked Chicken Tacos
- Homemade Pico de Gallo
- Best White Queso Dip Recipe
- Homemade Taquitos Recipe
Make some margaritas for Taco Night! Check out the full Taco Tuesday Guide for more tips, ideas, and recipes.
I hope this guide helped you learn how to make margaritas and find some new recpipes! Don’t forget to try out some for yourself, your friends, or at your next party. And don’t be afraid to get creative and try new flavors! A classic margarita is great, but you really can’t go wrong here.
I was trying to get a copy of the 30 Best Margarita Recipes and was sent a Chicken Dinners link — which is great and I love. But I would love to have the downloadable pds for the Margaritas especially since I will be going on vacation this coming weekend… Is there any way I could get that?
Hi! The guide for the Margaritas is just this blog post you commented on. I don’t have an ebook for margaritas yet. I wrote this post as a “guide” and I hope it has a ton of good info in it for you! Sorry for the confusion!
Great blog i like to read your posts. Have more success in your journey.
Thank you! That is so sweet of you.
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