My Margarita

For a long time I never tried to make a margarita at home because I thought I had to find a good margarita mix, and all of the mixes I’d ever tried were not very good. But technically, a traditional margarita only has 3 ingredients (tequila, lime juice, triple sec), and all you really need to do is figure out which tequila and triple sec to buy. Anyway, I started with a traditional recipe and after a few iterations I added a couple of things, and this is what I make now when I say I’m making a margarita (and it’s so good!). 

For best results, use freshly squeezed juices and a good tequila. You could try leaving out the simple syrup but it might be too sour. For the tequila, I use Hornitos Reposado. For the triple sec, I use Cointreau. Often I also add 1/2 an ounce of Luxardo cherry liqueur or some fresh mint (or both). It’s also good with 1/2 oz Midori. And I’ve got a list of other things to try sometime: amaretto, passionfruit purée, pineapple juice, peach liqueur, raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice, avocado (a local restaurant makes avocado margaritas and they are very popular).

juice of 1 lime

juice of 1 lemon

juice of 1 mandarin or clementine

2 oz tequila

1 oz simple syrup (or to taste)

1/2 oz triple sec

Optional additions: 1/2 oz cherry liqueur or Midori, or fresh mint

Shake with ice until chilled and strain into a margarita glass, cocktail glass, or lowball glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge. 

To make a frozen version, add a little more lime juice and simple syrup, and blend it in a blender with about a cup of ice or frozen watermelon (and you’ll need a bigger glass). 

If you just want to make a classic margarita, here’s a recipe that should be good:

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/04/classic-margarita-recipe-tequila-cocktail.html