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+ servings
a cocktail in a vintage margarita glass with a lime wheel.

Classic Margarita Recipe

Amy Traynor
The classic, timeless tequila cocktail recipe made simply with blanco tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and triple sec.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz tequila (or mezcal)
  • 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 oz triple sec (orange liqueur)

Optional

  • 1/4 oz agave or simple syrup See notes below

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill 3/4 with ice.
  • Shake until chilled, about 12 seconds. Strain into a margarita glass, coupe glass, or rocks glass (over ice). Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.
  • Optional: Prior to pouring the Margarita, salt half of the rim of glass by rubbing a lime wedge along half of the outside lip of the glass. Dip the edge in a shallow dish of coarse salt, taking care to not get any salt on the inside of the glass.

Notes

Modern Margarita Recipe Variations
The classic Margarita consists of just three ingredients (tequila, lime, triple sec). However, modern palates often prefer slightly more sweetener to balance the strong sour lime flavor. A very common Margarita recipe adjustment is the addition of 1/4 ounce of agave syrup or simple syrup. This small tweak completely softens the cocktail for those who find the classic recipe too sour. 
Another recipe tweak is to simply use less lime juice. In this variation, you'll use 2 oz tequila, 1 oz triple sec, and 3/4 oz lime juice.
Keyword lime juice, mezcal, tequila, triple sec
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