Crisp, zingy, and salty, the margarita is one of the most popular cocktails of all time. As two cocktail experts, Alex and I have made the classic margarita recipe more times than we can count—and just about every variation!
25 best margarita recipes to make at home
🍹Want a recipe for a party? Try a margarita pitcher! Then try all the different types: frozen, spicy with jalapeño, smoky with mezcal, Italian with amaretto, and fruity with strawberry, mango, pineapple, and more. There are so many ways to change up this popular tequila cocktail, and we’re here for them all! Tip: Some people like a margarita ratio that is 3, 2, 1: 3 parts tequila, 2 parts orange liqueur and 1 part lime. Alex and I like our margaritas on the tart side, so we use the ratio above. Feel free to experiment and find the ratio that’s right for you! Variations: Try Triple Sec Margarita, Cointreau Margarita, or Patron Margarita Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, simple syrup, ice Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, jalapeño pepper slices Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, frozen strawberries, agave or simple syrup, ice Ingredients: Tequila reposado, Cointreau, lime juice, Grand Marnier Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, lemon juice, frozen mango, agave or simple syrup, ice Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, mezcal Ingredients: Tequila, Fresh lime juice, Fresh squeezed orange juice, maple syrup Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime juice Ingredients: Tequila, lime, triple sec, cream of coconut Ingredients: Tequila, orange juice, amaretto, lime juice Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, beer Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, frozen peaches, agave or simple syrup, ice Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, blueberries, lime juice, simple syrup Ingredients: Tequila, Triple Sec or Cointreau, grapefruit juice, lime juice Ingredients: Watermelon, tequila, lime juice, salt Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup Variation: Also try Orange Margarita Ingredients: Blood orange juice, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice Ingredients: Tequila (reposado or blanco), Blue Curacao, lime juice Ingredients: Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, orange juice Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, pomegranate juice, lime juice, simple syrup Also try: Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita Ingredients: Cucumber slices, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice Ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lime juice, raspberries, simple syrup Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice. Triple sec (or Cointreau), agave nectar Ingredients: Lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, pickle juice, tonic water
Make a bright pink Prickly Pear Margarita, or a floral Hibiscus Margarita. Make a tropical Passion Fruit Margarita, citrusy Orange Margarita, or bright and bold Beet Margarita. Try seasonal spins like a Apple Cider Margarita, Fall Margarita, or Christmas Margarita. Make a fun Sangria Margarita or add a caffeine jolt with an Espresso Margarita.
Use Cognac for a Hennessy Margarita. Pick up the best tequila to make a Patron Margarita or Casamigos Margarita. Experiment and try a Vodka Margarita. Try a Triple Sec Margarita with zippy citrus flavor.
Any mid-priced tequila tastes great in a margarita. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. Tequila blanco is ideal for margaritas. It has a straightforward agave-centric flavor and spicy finish. Some brands we recommend are Espolon Blanco, El Tesoro Blanco, Patrón Silver, and Casamigos. Tequila reposado (aged) makes a smooth, sophisticated margarita. Tequila reposado is aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels (reposado means “rested” in Spanish). It has a smooth flavor and notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Some brands we like include Casamigos, Milagro Reposado, and Suerte Reposado.
1 ½ ounces tequila 1 ounce Cointreau ¾ ounce lime juice
How to make margaritas at home: step by step
Once you’ve got the ingredients, it’s time to mix up your drink! Here’s how to make margaritas at home:
How to make a salt rim
The salt rim is essential to these margarita recipes. The salt enhances the flavors in the drink, and gives it that classic look. Try our margarita salt for a colorful flair with lime zest and orange zest! Here’s how to make a salt rim:
Spread on a plate: Spread the kosher salt, flaky sea salt, or margarita salt on a plate in an even layer. Wet the glass with a lime: Take a lime wedge and cut a notch in the middle: then slide it around the rim of the glass. Rim the outside edge only: Tilt the glass so that only the outside edge goes into the salt. Then shake off any loose salt into the sink.
Frequently asked questions
5 from 2 reviews For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses. For a spicy variation, add 3 to 4 jalapeno pepper slices to the cocktail shaker, or go to Jalapeno Margarita. For a smoky variation, replace half the tequila with Mezcal, or go to Mezcal Margarita. For a frozen variation, go to Frozen Margarita. For a virgin variation, go to Virgin Margarita. For fruity variations, go to Pineapple Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Mango Margarita, or more of the recipes above.
