Perfect Classic Margarita Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

What makes restaurant margaritas so good? ›

Just as important as the style of tequila is the use of a high-quality orange liqueur. Part of the Daisy category of co*cktails, the Margarita calls for triple sec such as Cointreau for sweetness and balance. Though some may opt for agave nectar instead, the addition of the liqueur is what makes a true Margarita.

Combine the lime juice, lemon juice, Triple Sec, tequila, and ice in a blender and puree. Place extra ice in a co*cktail shaker. Fill with margarita mix, shake well, and strain into glasses.

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

To balance the co*cktail's acidity, triple sec is absolutely necessary for traditional Margaritas, according to Bailon. “Without triple sec, we fall into a different co*cktail category, which is the sour,” she explains.

In addition to powdered mixes, which are more affordable, restaurants also use liquid mixes they can purchase from their alcohol supplier -similar to the concentrate above. The two most popular mixes that restaurants use for margaritas are Zing Zang Margarita Mix and Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Original Margarita Mix.

Triple sec, a term used interchangeably with curaçao, is a type of orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors as well as sweet and bitter notes — all of which are essential for a well-made Margarita. Popular labels include Cointreau, Combier, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, and Grand Marnier.

"It's basically silver tequila with lime juice shaken and over rocks. And some people like a little Cointreau, some don't." Aniston said she likes a little of bit Cointreau added to her margarita.

Fill the jug of a co*cktail shaker with ice, then pour in the tequila and triple sec. Squeeze in the lime juice, pop on the top part of your shaker, then shake hard for about 30 seconds to mix it all together and chill the liquid really well.

For A Single Margarita:

1 1/2 ounces silver tequila. 1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec) 3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice. optional sweetener: agave nectar or simple syrup, to taste.

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

Which is better, triple sec or Cointreau? ›

While Cointreau is a premium option with a higher price point and ABV, triple sec is a more affordable and sweeter alternative. Regardless of your preference, Red & White offers both options for purchase, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for all your liquor needs.

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

Can they replace Triple Sec? Both Grand Marnier and Cointreau are excellent replacements for Triple Sec when making a Margarita. In fact, both of these are significantly more expensive and are considered to be better than inexpensive Triple Sec both in quality and taste.

Agave: If you would like to sweeten your margarita, I recommend adding agave syrup (or simple syrup, or any other sweetener you prefer) to taste. Kosher salt: If you would like to salt the rims of your glasses, run a lime wedge around the rims and then dip them in coarse Kosher salt or margarita salt.

Using silver tequila, also called blanco, will give your marg a very clean, agave-forward flavor. Reposado tequila, however, will yield a smoother drinking tequila. Either works; it just depends on what you're going for.

Blanco tequila is the go-to for Margaritas. It's a clear, usually unaged spirit (it's allowed to rest in barrels for no more than 60 days) that highlights the pure expression of distilled agave.

Made with a combination of tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, margaritas offer the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavours. The tartness of the lime juice is balanced by the sweetness of the triple sec, while the salt rim adds just the right amount of saltiness to the drink.

Truly says the Margarita-style seltzers are made with real ingredients found in the co*cktail, including lime juice concentrate, agave nectar, and sea salt.

Each marg definitely has at least 3 ounces of booze – that means if you have 3 of any of our margaritas, you are having about 9 shots of hard alcohol!