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A refreshing margarita recipe served on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass, garnished with a fresh lime wheel.

The Ultimate Zesty Margarita

Discover the ultimate balance of tart, sweet, and strong with this perfectly crafted margarita recipe, guaranteed to impress every time. It's truly the best margarita recipe you'll find!
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings: 2 cocktails
Course: Cocktail, Drink
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salt Rim
  • 2 tbsp Coarse salt (or a mix of salt and sugar if preferred)
  • 1 whole Lime cut into wedges for rim and garnish
For the Margaritas
  • 4 oz Tequila Blanco (100% Agave recommended for best flavor)
  • 2 oz Fresh lime juice (from approximately 2-3 limes)
  • 1.5 oz Orange Liqueur (e.g., Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier)
  • 0.75 oz Agave Nectar (adjust to your preferred sweetness, or use simple syrup)
  • Ample Ice for shaking and serving

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger (measuring tool)
  • Citrus juicer (or reamer)
  • Cocktail glasses (e.g., rocks glasses or margarita glasses)
  • Small plate

Method
 

Prepare the Glasses
  1. On a small plate, spread the coarse salt evenly. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of each cocktail glass to moisten. Invert each glass into the salt, twisting gently to create an even salted rim. Set glasses aside.
Mix the Margarita
  1. Freshly squeeze enough limes to yield 2 oz of lime juice. This is crucial for the best, brightest flavor.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the Tequila Blanco, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar.
  3. Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with fresh ice. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the shaker is frosty on the outside. This chills and properly dilutes the drink.
Serve and Enjoy
  1. Fill your prepared, salt-rimmed glasses with fresh ice. Strain the margarita mixture from the shaker into the glasses.
  2. Garnish each margarita with a fresh lime wedge or wheel. Serve immediately and enjoy your best margarita recipe!

Notes

Tequila Choice: Opt for a 100% Agave Tequila Blanco (also known as silver or white tequila) for the cleanest, most authentic flavor. Avoid mixto tequilas that contain added sugars.
Sweetness Level: The amount of agave nectar can be adjusted. If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with 0.5 oz and add more to taste. For a sweeter drink, go up to 1 oz. Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) can be substituted for agave.
Orange Liqueur: Cointreau is often considered the gold standard for margaritas, but a good quality Triple Sec or Grand Marnier also works beautifully.
Frozen Margaritas: To make this recipe frozen, combine all liquid ingredients in a blender with about 1.5-2 cups of ice per serving and blend until smooth.