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Margarita

The Margarita is a strong tequila sour, tart and fruity on the palate. Shaken and served in a margarita glass. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official contemporary classics cocktails.

Margarita cocktail: pale lime green drink in a wide-rimmed margarita glass, with a salted rim and a lime wheel

Flavor profile

Tart
78 out of 100
Sweet
41 out of 100
Fruity
53 out of 100
Herbal
49 out of 100
Boozy
67 out of 100

How to make a Margarita

To make a Margarita, shake with ice and strain into a margarita glass: 1½ oz tequila, ½ oz Triple sec and 1 oz lime juice. Garnish with salt.

You'll need

1 drink

Instructions

  1. 1

    Chill a margarita glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.

  2. 2

    Rim the glass: run a lime or lemon wedge around the outside edge, then roll the edge in salt on a small plate.

  3. 3

    Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice to a cocktail shaker.

  4. 4

    Fill the shaker with ice.

  5. 5

    Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.

  6. 6

    Strain into the chilled margarita glass.

Why shake? Lime juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.

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Blue Margarita

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Margarita questions

What does a Margarita taste like, and is it sweet?

Lightly sweet, not sugary: it's mostly tart and fruity, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 20% ABV once mixed.

How much alcohol is in a Margarita?

About 20% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.

What's the difference between a Margarita and a Blue Margarita?

Both use tequila and lime juice. The Margarita adds Triple sec, while the Blue Margarita uses Blue Curacao. Both are shaken, but the Margarita goes in a margarita glass and the Blue Margarita in a cocktail glass.

Should a Margarita be shaken or stirred?

Shaken: lime juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.

What can I use instead of triple sec?

Cointreau or Grand Marnier will work.

How do I make a pitcher of Margaritas?

For 6 drinks, mix 9 oz tequila, 3 oz Triple sec and 6 oz lime juice in a jug and chill it. Add 3⅔ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.