Margarita
A classic Margarita of tequila, orange liqueur and freshly squeezed lime: crisp, tart and perfectly balanced.
Ingredients
- Blanco tequila, 100% agave, ideally45 ml
- Orange liqueur30 ml
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed15 ml
- Agave syrup, to taste, if the lime is very tart7 ml
- Salt, for the rim1 pinch
- Lime, to garnish (optional)1 wedge
Method
- Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge and dip it in coarse salt.
- Half-fill a shaker with ice and add the tequila, orange liqueur and freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Add the agave syrup, if you want a touch more sweetness.
- Shake hard for 10–15 seconds, until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice and strain the drink into it.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel and serve at once.
About this drink
The Margarita has its roots in 1930s Mexico and builds on the older daisy style, in which spirit, citrus and orange liqueur meet in a tart triangle. The simple 3-2-1 ratio (tequila, orange liqueur, lime) has become a favourite template because it is easy to remember and almost impossible to get badly wrong. The salt rim is not just decoration: it softens the acidity and brings out the tequila's agave sweetness.
Questions and answers
Can you make a Margarita without orange liqueur?
Not without changing its character markedly: Cointreau or triple sec gives a round sweetness and depth that agave and lime cannot replace alone. If you have none, use a little extra agave syrup and accept a sharper, more tequila-forward drink.
Which tequila suits a Margarita best?
Blanco tequila, with its clean, peppery agave profile, is the classic route. A reposado gives a warmer, rounder version if you prefer.
Should a Margarita always have a salt rim?
No, it is a matter of taste. The salt lifts the sweetness and acidity, but many people enjoy a Margarita just as much without. Try half salt and half sugar for a different angle.
