A classic tequila drink made with fresh lime juice and cointreau.

This recipe for a Classic Margarita is made with just three ingredients and is my favorite way to make a margarita. To make this adult drink, all you do is shake the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker until frosty. To serve, pour the drink into a salt rimmed glass straight up or over ice.

Classic Margaritas are great for nights when you are enjoying a Mexican themed meal. Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or any time you are getting together with friends is the perfect time to make a margarita!

two classic margaritas in a clear drinking glass with salt rim and green lime wedge on top of the glass rim.

What is a Classic Margarita

A classic margarita is an adult beverage made with tequila, orange liquor, and lime juice. The glass usually has a rim of coarse salt and the beverage can be shaken with ice, frozen, or served straight up (without ice). It is usually served in a margarita glass, but it can also be served in a rocks glass, wine glass, or any glass convenient for you to serve it in!

While its origin isn't exactly pinned down, it certainly seems to have Mexican roots and is popular to serve in Mexican restaurants.

A bottle of Jose Cuervo especial tequila in the center with a bottle of Cointreau to the right and a wooden citrus reamer in front. Three green limes to the left of the tequila bottle and a container of margarita salt in the background

What You Need To Make A Classic Margarita Recipe

Tequila, I would choose a good tequila. My tequila of choice is Patron. It is super smooth going down, not at all harsh. However, Patron is pricey, so if your serving more than a couple of people, a more affordable tequila such as Milagro Silver or Jose Cuervo Blue Agave (pictured), or Sauza Silver.

Juice from fresh limes are best to use when making a margarita. I do not recommend buying bottled lime juice.

Orange Liquor, I highly recommend Cointreau as I like the flavor better. It also has a higher concentration of alcohol compared to Triple Sec (which you can use in place of the Cointreau).

Cocktail Shaker, I like to use a stainless steel cocktail shaker and measuring jigger.

Citrus reamer, this wooden citrus reamer is my favorite!

Ice cubes

Pouring the measured cointreau into the tequila in a mason quart jar.

Tips and Substitutions

Make sure the limes you buy are bright green and heavy in your hand. Squeeze the lime between your thumb and fingers. If the lime gives a little, then it is ripe and should be juicy. A lime that doesn't give likely is not ripe and won't have a lot of juice.
If you want to cut the alcohol percentage down, substitute triple sec for the Cointreau. Triple sec has about have the alcohol as Cointreau.
To make a frozen classic margarita, place ¾ cup of crushed ice in a blender with the margarita mix and blend until frosty.
Substitute a coarse sugar instead of salt to rim the margarita glass.
Use a quart glass jar to mix the margarita in if you don't have a shaker. You will see I did this in my video to improvise as my cocktail shaker was packed away and I couldn't get to it!

a hand holding a clear glass and the other hand running the cut green lime around the lip of the glass.

🍽 Serve with...

Serve these classic margaritas with your favorite Mexican meal. I love to serve these with this Shrimp Enchiladas Recipe or Easy Green Chicken Enchilada Recipe.

📖 Recipe