Name: Classic Margarita Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1.5 ounces Tequila; 1 ounce Cointreau (or another orange liqueur ); 1 ounce Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice; 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup; Lime; Ice; Coarse Salt

This classic margarita recipe is made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and of course the glass is rimmed in salt. It’s party time!

A tasty classic margarita in a tumbler glass with straw garnished with fresh limes. This tasty drink sits on a wood table with a decorative napkin in the background.

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Classic Margarita Drink

This fun party drink has been around since at least the 1940s. The most prevailing story is that a Tijuana-area restaurant owner created a cocktail that had all the same elements of a tequila shot – salt and wedge of lime – but in a tastier drink version.

A lady named Margarita Sames from Acapulco claims to have invented it in 1948. Either way, this fun drink really did come from somewhere in Mexico. When you are craving a fiesta in a glass, this margarita recipe will do the trick!

My recipe is super close to an original margarita. Whenever you look for traditional margarita ingredients, you will find it’s made with tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. The glass always has salt around the rim, and it’s usually garnished with lime.

I added some simple sugar to my margarita to make it a little easier to drink. This is definitely party-ready! You are going to love it!

Three Ways To Make Margaritas

There are three ways to make a margarita – frozen, on the rocks, or straight up. Mine is on the rocks, but let’s look at what sets them all apart.

Frozen margaritas are made in a blender and have the consistency of an alcoholic slushie. They are super-easy and fun to drink.

Margarita on the rocks means it is poured over ice. That’s how I made my recipe.

Then you can also just make it straight up. This is without any ice at all. This is the least watered-down version and is also the most difficult to drink really quickly.

How To Make A Classic Margarita Recipe

All the exact steps are in the printable recipe card just a little bit further below. This drink is really simple. The most time-consuming part is making the simple syrup. You can buy some if you don’t want to make your own.

After you have all your ingredients ready, prepare your glass by salting the rim. Then, shake all the ingredients together in a shaker and pour it over ice in your salted class. Don’t forget the garnish! That’s the fun part!

Best Type of Tequila For Margaritas

The best type of tequila is entirely up to your own preference. My favorite is Patron Silver. Try to use an agave tequila in this recipe.

If you want to indulge a bit, Clase Azul Reposado is one of the most premium types of tequila. It is aged for 8 months in oak barrels and sold in bottles that are so gorgeous you’ll want to decorate with them.

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