Pitcher Margarita Recipe

4.62 from 803 votes

This 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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time0

Total Time5

Course: cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: drink

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

Pitcher
Cocktail Shaker

Ingredients

For Individual (One, 4.5-ounce) Serving

1 ounce Cointreau sub for grand marnier or triple sec
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice key to a delicious margarita—add a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice for more flavor
2 ounces Reposado Tequila* 100% pure de Agave Tequila
⅓ ounce Agave syrup (2 teaspoons) I use Tres Agaves, Agave Nectar – organic
1 cup ice

For 13 (4-ounce) Servings

1½ cups Cointreau
1½ cups freshly squeezed lime juice
3 cups Reposado Tequila
½ cup Agave syrup
12 cups Ice

For 18 (4-ounce) Servings

2¼ cups Cointreau
2¼ cups freshly squeezed lime juice
4½ cups Reposado Tequila
¾ cup Agave syrup
1 bag ice

For 24 (4 ounce) Servings:

3 cups Cointreau
3 cups freshly squeezed lime juice
6 cups Reposado Tequila
1 cup Agave syrup
1 bag 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.
To salt the 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 them 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.

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.
1 ounce Cointreau, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 ounces Reposado Tequila*, ⅓ ounce Agave syrup, 1 cup ice
Immediately pour into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

Video

Notes

*Use quality tequila that is smooth and well-made, but there's no reason to break the bank when you're not sipping it straight.

**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.

Nutrition