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.
I hate to ask- do you know the calories/ carbs for this. I really like a great margarita but also trying to make smarter and healthier decisions.
Thanks!
Hi Donna, when you go to print the recipe the nutrition info will be listed in that recipe card!
Best margarita I have ever made!!!! Delicious……
That looks SOOOOO tasty, Jackie!
May we use simple syrup instead of Agave Nectar?
You can give it a shot, recipes are modifiable!
I’m excited to try this but please explain the agave syrup. Is this the same as agave nectar?
Yes, they are the same!
This is the best marg recipe
BUT
I drink weekly and I can tell you that If you have a glass of the smallest pitcher recipe you will be feelin it.
Great recipe. Strong indeed. Careful. Use this recipe but don’t drink and drive! (: I use milagro tequila btw!
Good tip!! I’m glad you love it!!
First, let me say that I actually don’t normally like margaritas. I never, ever order them because they taste like something out of a bottle…yuck. Second…these are the exception! I needed a recipe for a group and made them for cinco de mayo. I followed the recipe exactly and even bought the Reposado Tequila ( I bought Herradura & it was expensive but worth it). Everyone loved this recipe and my discerning margarita drinkers said it was the best they have ever had! Make the recipe as directed and definitely spend the $$ on a good tequila.
Thank you, Tami!! I’m so happy to hear that you all ended up loving the drink!!
This is THE BEST margarita recipe!
Thanks Kaylie!!
Made these for Cinco de Mayo and they were amazing. This will be our go to recipe for margaritas.
I’m so happy you loved it, Dawn!
A margarita is my favorite drink! However when making large batches is there a shortcut to getting 6-7 cups of fresh lime juice (that’s a lot of squeezing)? Do you recommend lime juice in the bottle? I know you said FRESH ;)
You can absolutely use lime juice!
loved it
That makes me so happy!