The Classic Margarita

By now anyone who reads my blog regularly knows I like margaritas! In fact, besides gin & tonics, margaritas are my cocktail of choice. There are hundreds of variations of this popular cocktail, but how do you make the classic margarita? Here’s our time-tested recipe for you to try!

Our classic margarita - photo by Laurie Geis

I love drinking margaritas year-round, but particularly enjoy them in the spring and summer when the weather is warm, and this cocktail really shines! As I mentioned in previous posts, a margarita is a simple cocktail made up of four components:  tequila, citrus juice (usually lime), orange liqueur, and a sweetener such as simple syrup or agave nectar.

You can use your tequila of choice: (1) Blanco, silver or white (unaged in oak); (2) Reposado (aged in oak for anywhere from two months to one year); (3) Anejo (aged in oak over one year but less than three years); and (4) Extra or Ultra Anejo (any tequila aged for more than three years). The cost of the tequila goes up the longer it's aged which is a factor in choosing which tequila you might want to use for your margaritas.

Our favorite style of tequila is Reposado – it has a depth of flavor that really complements the tartness of the citrus and the sweetness of the orange liqueur and agave. And our favorite brand of tequila is Casamigos – while it’s pricey, the flavor is crisp and clean, with a nice burn and complexity on the finish.

In fact, we love margaritas so much that we have set up margarita “tasting bars” when we have guests over for cocktail hour or dinners so they can sample each style of tequila and choose the one (or ones!) they like best. This is a great way to introduce friends and family to the different tequila styles if they aren’t familiar with them and letting everyone mix their own margarita is both educational and fun as well!

Margarita tasting bar in Alexandria, VA

Our favorite classic margarita recipe was given to us by Laurie’s best friend and college roommate, Bridget Sweeny Jo. The origins of the recipe are unclear - we asked, and Bridget doesn’t know – but I’m pretty sure someone told her when she had one too many margaritas in her!

It’s definitely a classic and our “go to” recipe when we are in the mood for a margarita. It has more citrus juice than many margaritas which gives it a nice tartness on the finish. It’s also a bit sweeter than some classic margarita recipes, but that sweetness provides the perfect counterpoint to the tart lime juice and results in the ideal sweet and sour libation. Give it a try and let me know what you think! 

The Classic Margarita (makes 1 cocktail)

This recipe can be adapted for a make-ahead pitcher drink by multiplying all the ingredients by eight and combining all of them into a large pitcher. Just stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. granulated sugar

Lime zest from one lime

2 oz. tequila (I recommend Reposado but any style will work)

2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

1 oz. orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)

1 oz. agave nectar (or simple syrup)

Lime wheel for garnish

Directions

Zest the lime and combine on the plate with the sugar until fully integrated. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a rocks glass and then dip the rim of the glass into the sugar/lime zest mixture. Fill the glass with ice.

Pour the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar into a shaker. Add ice and shake until frost forms on the shaker, about 20-30 seconds. Strain and pour into the prepared rocks glass. Garnish with the lime wheel.