This Classic Margarita Recipe is perfectly balanced with tequila, triple sec and lime juice for a crisp and refreshing cocktail. No margarita mix required!
Time to make some classic margaritas, friends! It’s Friday and I’m ready to relax with a refreshing cocktail. It doesn’t matter that it’s still wintertime when I’m writing this – margaritas are timeless. Every season is margarita season.
My love for margaritas really started a few years ago when I was on the hunt for a drink (of the alcoholic variety) that I actually liked. Anything made with vodka just reminded me of my college years, so that was out. Not a big fan of whiskey, scotch, bourbon or rye so that’s out. I do like rum and gin, but they’re not my absolute favorites.
Tequila, on the other hand, has always intrigued me.
Growing up, my family wasn’t big on drinking. We never had beer in the fridge or wine on the table. It just wasn’t a thing. But stashed away in the very back of the kitchen pantry were a few old and dusty tequila bottles that made an annual appearance around the Christmas holiday. Someone would put a little splash of tequila in their ponche and everyone would follow suit. One of my sisters who’s a super lightweight would always say that she was feeling the alcohol after having the teeniest sip. I always thought it was the funniest thing ever.
Even to this day, I can’t understand how someone feels the effects of a tiny amount of alcohol after only a minute. 🤣 Give at least five minutes, then come talk to me. Maybe that just means I drink too much?
Whatever the reason, tequila always felt like the natural choice for me. After all, it is only produced in Mexico, and I’m Mexican so maybe I somehow feel a connection to it? Who knows.
All I know is that it simply didn’t taste as gross and harsh to me like other liquors, so it became my liquor of choice.
When tequila is your liquor of choice, knowing how to make a margarita is must.
Luckily, I’m obsessed with citrus, especially limes and lime juice. I’m also a very salty person. I definitely think that I have a salty palette and add salt to so many things. Probably not good for my health, but oh well.
And whadda’ya know, those those three things make up a classic margarita recipe!
How to make a classic margarita
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip in salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Shake to combine.
- Strain the cocktail over the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Easiest drink ever! And there’s no sugar added so dare I say it’s healthy? No, haha. Let’s just say it’s a better cocktail option than lots of others out there.
If you’re making a margarita, you probably have one important question.
Which tequila should I use?
Choose a high-quality blanco or silver tequila for the best margarita. Since the recipe only has three ingredients, there’s nowhere for any flavors to “hide.” Quality is important. Here are a few tequilas I recommend.
- Espolòn Blanco
- Olmeca Altos
- Casa Noble Crystal
- Don Julio Blanco
More recipes you’ll love
- Skinny Margarita Recipe
- Frozen Margarita Recipe
- Easy Cranberry Margarita
- Mexican Bloody Maria
- Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila (one shot from standard size shot glass)
- 1 1/2 ounces triple sec (one shot from standard size shot glass)
- 1 to 1 1/2 ounces lime juice (juice from 1 to 1 1/2 limes)
- 1 lime wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip in salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Shake to combine.
- Strain the cocktail over the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Nutrition Information
My new go to Margarita. I will now be buying your recommendation for Tequilas to try. One at a time. I’ll update you as I go through them .
Thanks Jimmy
Mexican is my favorite food and I love your recipes. Plan to try them on my daughter and her family when I have them for dinner. I am sure they will be very happy I found your blog.
Seems a bit sweet with that much triple sec in it given what you’ve said about hating overly sweet blended margs. It’s better to start with less triple sec and add more in if you want it sweeter. Best ratio I’ve found that pleases mine and my customers taste has been 2oz blanco, 1oz lime, 1/2oz triple sec. Either way, bless you for not putting simple syrup in there.
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Can’t wait to try this magarita
I hope you love it!