Classic Margarita Recipe (it’s much easier than you think!)

Classic margarita

First published 2013. Updated October 2019.

No one really knows who created the Margarita, but whoever it was named after, she must have been beautiful, classy, exciting and provocative, just like the drink. Tequila, Cointreau (or any Triple Sec) and lime juice – as sexy as it gets in a glass.

History of Margarita

There are many, many stories explaining the origin of margarita.

• There’s the one about the Texas socialite Margaret _Margarita_ Sames, who claimed to have invented in at her Acapulco party in 1948. But the tequila company Jese Cuervo was already doing margarita ads in 1945. So that’s that.
• Some people say it was named after Margarita Cansino, who used to perform at the Agua Caliente. This sexy Margarita was later known as Rita Hayworth.
• Cocktail historian David Wondrich, who writes for Imbibe, suggests that it was probably not a Mexican invention, but might very well have evolved from an old cocktail called daisy. The daisy was a mixture of tequila, citrus juice and grenadine served over shaved ice and was doing the rounds in the early 20th century. Margarita is the Spanish name for daisy.

Margarita with pink Himalayan salt

Whatever its history, margarita belongs in the higher echelons of the Cocktail hall of fame! It is, quite possibly, my favourite cocktail. I am on a never ending quest to create new margarita recipes, always staying true to the tequila in it. Because I’ve said it before,

It ain’t no margarita if it ain’t got tequila!

Take a look at what I mean by my margarita journey, all recipes are on the Drinks page:

The Best Margarita Recipes on LinsFood

Classic Margarita Recipe

This is pretty much the standard ratio for margaritas, I’m giving you the ratios to make 1 serving. Increase it as you see fit; I never make just 1 serving, even if it’s only me drinking!

Frozen Margarita Recipe

Al you need to do to turn a classic margarita or any margarita into a frozen margarita, is to add crushed ice to the whole mix. I just place my ice in a blender or chopper and blitz, until I get semi fine ice bits.

Then half fill a glass with the ice, and pour your mixed margarita over it, to the rim. That’s it!

Let’s go see how easy it is to make a classic margarita!

Classic Margarita Recipe (it’s much easier than you think!)

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★★★★★

5 from 28 reviews

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: Serves 1 1x

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Description

Classic margarita recipe, made with tequila, Cointreau and lime juice.

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 50ml (2 fl oz/2 parts) tequila
• 25ml (1 fl oz/1 part) Cointreau
• 25ml (1 fl oz/1 part) lime juice (saved the spent lime for the glass rim)
• simple sugar syrup, to taste (recipe below)
• salt, sprinkled on a saucer
• lime slices for decorating the glass/drink
• 3 ice cubes

A cocktail shaker would be great, if not, just stir it all up well.

Simple Sugar Syrup

• 200g/1 cup white sugar
• 125ml/half cup water

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Instructions

1. Run a lime slice all around the rim of your glass.
2. Dip the glass rim into the salt, coating well.
3. Add the required amounts of tequila, cointreau, lime juice and syrup into your shaker with about half a dozen ice cubes.
4. Shake it all up really well.
5. Taste, add more sugar if you think it needs it.
6. Pour the margarita, minus the ice cubes, into your prepared glass, stick a lime slice on and sip away!

Sugar Syrup

1. Place the water and sugar into a small pan and bring to a boil.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes on the lowest heat to allow the flavours to develop and the syrup to thicken.
3. Leave to cool, no need to place in the fridge.

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Notes

Total time does not take into account the making of the simple syrup, which should be made, then cooled.

• Category: Drinks
• Cuisine: Mexican