Cocktail Atlas

Margarita

Agave tequila, triple sec and fresh lime, shaken hard and served up. The classic spec, with an optional half salt rim.

Cocktail Atlas · Updated

Spirit
Tequila
Glass
Margarita or coupe glass
Method
Shaken
Difficulty
Beginner

The riffs: Margarita Variations

Spec source: IBA official cocktail list

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Margarita

Ingredients

Ingredients for Margarita. Tick each one as you add it.
AddedMeasureIngredient
1⅔ oz
⅔ oz
½ oz

Steps

  1. If you want salt, rim half of a chilled margarita or coupe glass.
  2. Shake the tequila, triple sec and lime juice hard with ice.
  3. Strain into the glass.

Garnish Half salt rim (optional)

cocktailatlas.com/cocktail/margarita/

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Batch it For a party of 4–20

Makes 8 drinks, about 28¼ oz · 850 ml before ice.

Margarita batch
AmountIngredient
13⅓ oz · 400 ml100% agave tequila
5⅓ oz · 160 mlTriple sec
4 oz · 120 mlFresh lime juice
5¾ oz · 170 mlCold water, for dilution (approx.)

The water stands in for the melt from shaking: about 25% for a shaken drink. It is an approximation, so taste and adjust. Chill the batch at least 2 hours and pour over fresh ice.

Fits a 1 liter bottle or carafe.

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Why it works

The Margarita is a sour: spirit, citrus and sweetness. Here the orange liqueur does the sweetening, so the drink stays dry and bright rather than syrupy, and the lime keeps it sharp. A hard shake chills it fast and adds the dilution that knits tequila and lime together. Salt on half the rim heightens the citrus and lets each sip go either way.

Substitutions

  • Any triple sec works; a higher-proof orange liqueur gives a drier, stronger drink.
  • No triple sec? Use ¼ oz agave syrup and an extra ¼ oz tequila for a Tommy’s-style version.
  • Bottled lime juice tastes flat; squeeze limes the same day.

Variations

Questions

Why only half a salt rim?
So each sip can be salted or not. Salt brightens the lime, but a full rim can take over a three-ingredient drink.
What tequila is best?
A 100% agave blanco is the usual choice; it keeps the agave flavor clear. Reposado adds a softer, oaky edge.
Can it be served on the rocks?
Yes. Strain the shaken drink over fresh ice in a rocks glass; it will dilute a little faster as it sits.

Making it: Margarita

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