A good margarita needs only three ingredients and very little time to make. This easy recipe always gets raves, and it's perfect to stash away in the freezer until the party begins.
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Cocktails are a part of many gatherings all summer long. My favorites are this margarita and sgroppino since they can both be made ahead and kept in the freezer. But I also love a good Pisco sour, and make those for smaller gatherings since they are better with freshly whipped egg whites.
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy and quick. It's only 3 ingredients and mixed up in minutes.
- Make-ahead friendly. Keep it in the freezer until the party starts.
- Flexible. There are a bazillion margaritas on the internet for adding flavors from watermelon to strawberry.
- Two ways to serve. Make a large container of frozen margaritas and offer a pitcher on the rocks.
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes for Margaritas
The secret to many dishes often lies in the ingredients. And when you have only three ingredients, the quality of each ingredient makes the difference between a fabulous margarita people will rave over and one that's meh.
- Tequila - Use Blanco tequila, also called silver or white tequila. The folks at the Kitchn site interviewed bartenders to find their favorite. They also preferred Blanco tequila from the highlands for a fruitier flavor. The benefit is a clean taste since it's not aged or minimally aged, and supposedly, lack of hangover the next day. I don't know whether or not that's true.
- Triple Sec - This is an orange-flavored liqueur that adds notes of citrus and balances the tartness of the lime juice. Cointreau is another good option if you don't have Triple Sec on hand.
- Lime juice - You can use either freshly squeezed or bottled lime juice. When I'm making a pitcher, I use bottled for convenience.
- Agave (optional) - I typically only add this when I'm making a pitcher of margaritas to round out the flavors if the margarita is too tart.
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🔪 Recommended Equipment for Making Margaritas
You don't absolutely have to have any special equipment to make these margaritas, but if you want to explore the world of cocktails, these are essentials.
- Citrus juicer
- Tiny measuring cup - I use one made by OXO that's only 2 ounces.
- Cocktail shaker
- Blender - for frozen margaritas.
🫙 Can you make the margarita mix ahead?
Absolutely, and I recommend it.
Make one batch for serving on the rocks and store it in an airtight container in the freezer.
Make a second batch for frozen margaritas and store the same way in the freezer.
🧊 How to Make Frozen Margaritas
- To make frozen margaritas, add the margarita mix to the container you plan to use for storing them in the freezer.
- Add a bunch of ice cubes and blend on medium-high until the mixture is thickened and icy-frothy.
The amount of ice cubes depends on the size of the container. It's best to experiment with fewer than you think you'll need, and then add enough ice cubes to get the right consistency.
If you store the frozen margarita mix in the freezer for a few hours, it will harden up to a firmer frozen consistency that some people love. If you don't have that luxury, it doesn't matter. They'll still be delicious.
Don't have time to run to the grocery store? Order the ingredients for this recipe using Instacart (affiliate link). Just click on the Instacart button in the recipe card below, and the ingredients will all be organized for you on their site. Plug in your zip code, choose the store you prefer, and select the ingredients you want delivered to your home.
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Classic Simple Margarita Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Blanco tequila also called silver or white tequila
- 1 ounce Triple Sec or Cointreau
- 1 ounce Lime juice
- Agave syrup (optional) if the drink is too tart from the lime juice
- Lime wedges (optional) for the rim of the glass
- Kosher salt (optional) for the rim of the glass
Instructions
- Combine the tequila, Triple Sec, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with 2-3 ice cubes. Shake vigorously for a few seconds. Set aside.
- If you want to salt the rim of the glass, slice through the pulp of one of the lime wedges and slip it onto the rim of the glass. Slide it around the glass and discard it.Pour some kosher salt into a shallow bowl or plate. Turn the glass upside down and set it into the salt. You may need to lift and set the glass back into the salt a few times to get an even coat to your liking.
- Pour the margarita mix into the glass.
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