Best Margarita Recipe (Margarita Pitcher Recipe for a Crowd)

This BEST MARGARITA RECIPE is the only recipe for margaritas you will ever need! This Perfect Margarita Pitcher Recipe is perfect for serving a crowd, made with simple and fresh ingredients, and utterly delicious. There has never been a more perfect margarita! We have written the margarita recipe to serve one or as many as 24. 

BEST Margarita Recipe

This Best Margarita Recipe resulted in the quest to find the Perfect Margarita Pitcher Recipe. The hunt for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo drinks and snacks begins early…usually on May 6th of the previous year. I’m always up for some Tacos and Tequila, and although I have a lot of Margarita Recipes on my site…I’ve never made just a perfect classic margarita that is great for serving a crowd.

I have made everything from a Skinny Margarita to Spicy Blackberry Margarita with SO many tequila recipes in between. Some of my favorites have been our Summer Shandy, Tequila Sunrise, and White Wine Margaritas.

Those recipes are fun, unique, and delicious, but I always crave a classic cocktail. This BEST MARGARITA RECIPE is the classic Perfect Margarita Pitcher Recipe I’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait for you to try it!

This Pitcher Margarita recipe is a MUST for every Taco Tuesday celebration. Get your friends together, make some tacos, a pitcher (or 2) of these margaritas, and enjoy! Check the full Taco Night Guide for more tips, ideas, & recipes.

What is the best tequila for a perfect margarita recipe?

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 Perfect 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.

How do you make a Cadillac Margarita?

When you order a Cadillac Margarita at a restaurant, that usually means they’re using top shelf liquor. I think they should change the name to Bentley Margarita or something extra snazzy.

What makes this the best Margarita Recipe?

We 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 Best Margarita Recipe!

How many people does this Margarita Pitcher Recipe serve?

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.

Is Triple Sec and Cointreau the same thing?

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.

Tips for making the Perfect Margarita Recipe

• We like to keep our tequila in the freezer to create the coldest best margarita recipe possible with the least amount of ice. I don’t want to water this deliciousness down!
• I also love to use a little lime zest in the salt rim for a fresh, bright citrus taste.
• If you want an even fresher taste, you can add a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice!
• The important thing about serving pitcher margaritas is you STILL NEED TO SHAKE before serving. You can make the mix ahead of time and having it in the pitcher, but you  should still pour 3-4 servings at a time into a shaker with ice and shake before pouring in your salt rimmed glass. This makes ALL the difference and is the SECRET to perfect pitcher margaritas. Stirring doesn’t cut it. Please promise me you’ll do this!!
• If you’re serving for a crowd of more than 24 people, this Margarita Pitcher Recipe is easily doubled. We want to make your life as easy, fun, and delicious as possible!

ALL The Best Margarita Recipes

Okay, so this is the best of the best when it comes to margaritas. It’s classic, it’s simple, and it makes plenty for a crowd. But as a (self-proclaimed) margarita aficionado, I have tons of really delicious recipes for margaritas around here.

Here are a few more favorites

Best Margarita Recipes

All the best margarita recipes, from classic to frozen to spicy to unique!

Skinny Margarita Recipe - Classic Margarita Recipe

Continue Reading

Spicy Cucumber Margarita Recipe {Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita}

Continue Reading

Skinny Peach Frozen Margarita Recipe

Continue Reading

Sparkling Strawberry Margarita Punch

Continue Reading

And if you want ALL of our recipes, head over to our Ultimate Margaritas Guide for more than 30 recipes!

Margarita Pitcher Recipe

The great thing about this recipe is that you can make as little or as much as you need! If you just want the best margarita for one, we’ve got the exact amount for a single glass.

But if you’re preparing cocktails for a crowd, we’ve listed the ingredient amounts and directions for any size group you have. Whether you’re serving 13, 18, or 24 people, this recipe will work for you. And if you’ve got even more than that, this recipe is easy to double.

So get out the pitchers, prepare this perfect margarita, and watch everyone smile as they sip on this amazing drink!

So now all we have left to do is decide what to eat with these! I recommend:

• Baked Chicken Tacos
• White Queso Recipe
• Mexican Street Corn Dip
• Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Chicken Nachos

I realize that’s a lot, but Cinco de Mayo only comes around once a year! SPLURGE a little! If you prefer, try our Mojito Pitcher Recipe.

Watch the video or see the recipe card below for details on How to Make the BEST Margarita Recipe. Cheers!

Best Margarita Recipe - Perfect Margarita Pitcher Recipe

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 254kcal

Author: Becky Hardin - The Cookie Rookie

This BEST MARGARITA RECIPE is the only recipe for margaritas you will ever need! This Perfect Margarita Pitcher Recipe is perfect for serving a crowd, made with simple and fresh ingredients, and utterly delicious. There has never been a more perfect margarita! We have written the margarita recipe to serve one or as many as 24. 

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Ingredients

For Individual (One, 4.5 ounce) Serving

• 1 ounce Cointreau1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed Lime juice1 ounce freshly squeezed Lime juice
• 2 ounces Reposado Tequila 100% pure de Agave Tequila2 ounces Reposado Tequila 100% pure de Agave Tequila
• 1/3 ounce 2 tsp Agave syrup I use Tres Agaves, Agave Nectar – organic1/3 ounce 2 tsp Agave syrup I use Tres Agaves, Agave Nectar – organic
• 1 cup ice1 cup ice

For 13 (4 ounce) servings:

• 1½ cups Cointreau1½ cups Cointreau
• 1½ cups Freshly squeezed lime juice1½ cups Freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 cups Reposado Tequila3 cups Reposado Tequila
• ½ cup Agave syrup½ cup Agave syrup
• 12 cups Ice12 cups Ice

For 18 (4 ounce) Servings:

• 2¼ cups Cointreau2¼ cups Cointreau
• 2¼ cups Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice2¼ cups Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
• 4½ cups Reposado Tequila4½ cups Reposado Tequila
• ¾ cup Agave Syrup¾ cup Agave Syrup
• 1 bag of ice1 bag of ice

For 24 (4 ounce) Servings:

• 3 cups Cointreau3 cups Cointreau
• 3 cups Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice3 cups Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
• 6 cups Reposado Tequila6 cups Reposado Tequila
• 1 cup Agave Syrup1 cup Agave Syrup
• 1 bag of ice1 bag of ice

Instructions

If making for a crowd (13, 18, or 24 servings)

• In 2-quart pitcher, combine all ingredients, except the ice. Keep the margarita mixture refrigerated until ready to serve.
• When ready to serve, rim the glasses with salt (if desired) and fill each with ice.
• Fill a cocktail shaker ¾ of the way with ice. Add enough prepared margarita mixture to the top of the ice. Cover tightly and shake vigorously 10-15 seconds. Pour into prepared glasses and serve immediately. Drain excess water from the shaker. Repeat for the additional servings, adding more ice as needed.
• Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.
• Enjoy!

For Individual Servings:

• See above if salting the rim of the glass.
• Fill the shaker about halfway with ice and add all other ingredients. Shake vigorously 10-15 seconds.
• Immediately pour into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.
• Enjoy!

Video

Step-by-Step Recipe Video

Notes

Note – These margaritas are best made within 8 hours of serving.

Note - The recipe can be easily doubled.

Note - If you want salted glass rims: Cover the bottom of a small plate with margarita salt. Rub the rims of the glasses with a lime wedge, dip the rims in the margarita salt, and set the glasses upright to dry a tad before filling with ice.

Note - These Margaritas are not very sweet. If you would like them sweeter, just add more agave syrup to taste.

Important Note :) - It's important to shake the margaritas before serving. Add 2-4 servings to a shaker with ice right before serving and repeat for each serving. Makes all the difference. Your guests will thank you!

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin C: 8.5mg

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