I absolutely love to create delicious cocktail recipes. This Margarita Recipe is one that I developed with the help of my Mom years ago, and we both agree it’s the best anyone has ever tried. I love serving it at family functions and for groups of friends. It’s made with simple and fresh ingredients, and utterly delicious. What I really love is that it’s scalable. I’ve made it for 2 people and as many as 24. The recipe card will explain how to make it for a few or a lot.
What’s in a Perfect Margarita?
I love this margarita because it tastes fresh, isn’t too sweet, and is made with simple ingredients. It is super smooth, so watch out! It works great as a single serving, or as an entire pitcher. You’re going to love this!
- Cointreau: This orange liqueur is a staple in margaritas. I prefer Cointreau over triple sec, but either will work.
- Lime Juice: Freshly-squeezed lime juice is the key to a delicious margarita. Don’t use bottled lime juice; it just won’t taste the same!
- Tequila: Choose a good-quality Reposado tequila (I find this is absolutely the key!) for the smoothest, best-tasting margaritas.
- Agave Syrup: Agave nectar is a great all-natural sweetener. Use more or less depending on your tastes.
- Ice: Chills down individual servings and keeps them cool all day long.
Pro Tip: Batch these margaritas early in the day, but shake up individual drinks just before serving for the best taste!
Variations
These pitcher margaritas are so versatile. With just a few simple changes, you can customize these for any crowd! Here are some versions that I’ve whipped up in a pinch.
- Mezcal Margaritas: Swap the Reposado tequila for your favorite brand of Mezcal for smoky margaritas.
- Spicy Margaritas: Muddle a few jalapeño slices in the bottom of each glass before pouring in the margarita, or add some chili powder to the salt rim.
- Skinny Margaritas: Follow my skinny margarita recipe!
- Virgin Margaritas: Swap the tequila for sparkling water and the Cointreau for orange juice. Batch these mocktails without the sparkling water (it’ll cause your shaker to leak), then top them off with sparkling water just before serving.
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An easy way to remember how to mix a classic margarita is to memorize the ratio 3-2-1: three parts tequila, two parts triple sec, and one part lime juice. We changed up the ratios a bit in this recipe, and I think it’s even better this way, but you be the judge!
We have written the recipe below for just one serving and also for 24 servings in a large pitcher. You decide if it’s worth sharing with friends. This is one I might just keep all to myself.
When making margaritas, I always opt for one that isn’t the most expensive and isn’t the cheapest. You want a quality tequila that is smooth and well made, but there’s no reason to break the bank when you’re not sipping it straight. For these Pitcher Margaritas, we recommend using a Reposado Tequila which is typically smoother than a Blanco or Anejo Tequila. Once we made that change in this recipe, it made all the difference.
Cointreau is a brand of Triple Sec, so technically yes. Cointreau is a trusted brand from France and their Orange Liqueur is delicious! I find some Triple Sec has a bitter or fake taste, but not Cointreau.
The secret to a perfect margarita is to shake up each margarita before serving. You can batch this cocktail in a large pitcher, but add 2-4 servings to a shaker filled with ice and shake up the cocktails just before serving. I promise, it makes all the difference!
How to Store
I store leftover pitcher margaritas tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Shake individual drinks over ice in a cocktail shaker just before serving. In the recipe card you can find a link to my favorite shakers!
Serving Suggestions
I think that a pitcher of margaritas is the best easy cocktail for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Serve them up with Baked Chicken Tacos, White Queso, Mexican Street Corn Dip, Chicken Nachos, or Homemade Tortilla Chips and Salsa.
Had probably four of these today – they are that good!
Love to hear it, Sarah! Cheers!
LOVE this recipe! It’s my go-to margarita recipe – everyone loves it! I completely agree the reposado makes all the difference!
We’re so happy to hear you love this recipe, Sarah!
We’re sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this recipe, Victoria!
We’re sorry to hear this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Teresa!
Hello! Can you link a good low ball glass to use? I am hosting a party of 20-25 people and think those might be better than margarita glasses.
That’s so fun! I love these and think they’re so fun and cute.
Made a batch for a party and got rave reviews! This will be our new go-to recipe- thank you!
Quick and easy recipe and very yummy! I’m glad we tried this one.
So glad you enjoyed it, Cindy!
Very yummy recipe!
Looks great!
This recipe is awesome. Madison & her friends are amateurs trying to play in the big leagues.
Excellent! I tend to pour with my heart so this recipe is right up my alley!
Love that, enjoy!