Perfect Classic Margarita Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

What is the best formula for margaritas? ›

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.

Margarita is the basic template of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, which calls for simplicity. It is always open to suggestions and has played the role of the foundation for many complex concoctions. The “Perfect Margarita” is a sophisticated drink, as this co*cktail-martini hybrid has an acquired taste.

Grand Marnier has a sweeter, richer, and smoother flavor with hints of vanilla, from the brandy, which a lot of people love. Both are great options for margaritas, so use the one you have on hand.

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.

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.

“Cointreau is always my first choice,” says Stanislav Harcinik of Mirror Bar in Bratislava. “It brings citrusy-zesty aromatics to a Margarita's flavor profile, and makes the drink even lighter, with its aromatic floral notes that always make me smell it one more time and, of course, [take] another sip.”

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.

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that is commonly used in margaritas. If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

Why It Works. A good-quality tequila needs no sugar, beyond what's in the triple sec, to balance the acidity of lime juice. Cointreau makes for a balanced, smooth margarita without taking away from the tequila.

What is the best liquor to use in margaritas? ›

“Only 100 percent Weber blue agave tequila should be used, ever, for anything,” Kearns says. His favorite tequilas for making Margaritas include Siete Leguas, Siembra Azul, Cabeza, and Pueblo Viejo Blanco.

Pay a visit to Mexico, away from all the tourist traps, and you'll have to search long and hard for a Mexican drinking a margarita. The margarita was largely popularized here in the United States, not in Mexico. (In fact, the margarita may have actually been created here in the United States.

Margaritas can be high in sugar, depending on how they are made. Margaritas made from premade mixes, as well as restaurant margaritas, typically have more sugar than homemade ones. Consuming too many added sugars can lead to unwanted weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease ( 9 ).

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.

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

Opt for a blanco made from 100% blue agave. If it doesn't say this on the label, it's mixto—a tequila composed of up to 49% mystery sugars. And although many people still reach for premade sour mix, using fresh lime juice will result in a vastly superior drink, and is the only way to make a quality Margarita.

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.