Shake up happy hour with this easy recipe for the clean, crisp, refreshing flavors of the most popular cocktail in the States!
Pop quiz: What’s the most popular cocktail in the U.S.? Hint: Jimmy Buffett named a fictional town after it. Give up? It’s the margarita, of course!
Every bartender worth their salted rim knows how to make a classic margarita. And most serve up variations on the theme of tequila, orange liqueur, and citrus juice. I’ve tried a lot of them, and I can honestly say that this is the best classic margarita recipe of all! It keeps things simple—no fruit purées or fancy garnishes—so you get clean, clear flavors in every sip.
I strongly recommend silver tequila for the crispest profile that highlights the bright flavors of lime and orange liqueur without competing with them. Silver tequila is typically unaged or only minimally aged, allowing the true, vibrant essence of blue agave to shine through. It’ll give your margaritas a fresh, lively character that feels especially refreshing. More aged tequilas, like reposado or añejo, can add complexity, but they also mellow the agave flavor and may overshadow the margarita’s citrusy balance.
Shake up a batch of these classic margaritas anytime you want a timeless drink that tastes like summer in a glass!
Ingredient spotlight: triple sec
Triple sec is a clear, orange-flavored liqueur that originated in France in the mid-19th century. The name means “triple dry,” but interpretations of it differ. Some sources suggest it refers to a triple distillation process, while others link it to the use of three types of orange peels or to a drier, less-sweet style of orange liqueur. The earliest recipes, like those from Combier Distillery in 1834, called for the careful steeping and drying of bitter and sweet orange peels before redistilling with a neutral spirit. The liqueur typically has an alcohol content ranging from 20 to 40% ABV.
You’ll find a wide variety of triple sec brands on store shelves. Cointreau is considered the gold standard among them for its exceptionally bright and balanced orange flavor, consistent quality, and higher alcohol content (40% ABV). Many bartenders and cocktail aficionados cite its purity, smoothness, and ability to complement tequila and fresh citrus without excessive sweetness as key to creating a classic, perfectly balanced margarita. More affordable options include DeKuyper and Bols, which are quite acceptable for big batches and parties.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftover margaritas will maintain their fresh flavors for up to 4-5 days if you store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They also freeze very well for up to a month in a freezer-safe container or bag with a little room for expansion. To serve as the classic liquid cocktail on the rocks, thaw overnight in the fridge or for 30-60 minutes at room temp, then stir or shake, pour over ice, and garnish. For a slushy version, serve directly from the freezer or blend briefly with a handful of ice.
Serving suggestions
Serve the best classic margarita alongside dishes that celebrate the drink’s Mexican heritage. For a happy hour nosh, Mexican Mollettes and Air-Fryer Taquitos make excellent finger food pairings. For an entrée, consider Green Chicken Enchiladas (With Salsa Verde) or Chipotle Slow-Cooker Pork Tenderloin Tacos With Cranberries And Apples. And for dessert, Sopapillas are a must!
Ingredients
- Lime wedges optional, for rimming the glass and garnish
- Salt optional, for rimming the glass
- 2 ounces tequila preferably silver or blanco
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- To create a salt rim, run a lime wedge around the rim of a chilled margarita or rocks glass. Dip the rim into a shallow dish filled with salt. Set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the shaker feels very cold—about 15 to 20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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