How to make margaritas

Make margaritas that will leave your guests wanting more.

Margaritas are a popular alcoholic drink ordered in bars, restaurants and served at parties. While it may appear to be an art form, it is easier than you think to whip up the perfect margarita for your friends and family. You can make a basic margarita with inexpensive tequila or top shelf tequila and ingredients. Make a flavored variety by adding fruit and liqueurs. Whether you choose a traditional or a flavored margarita, you will soon be on your way to serving fabulous tequila based drinks like a pro.

Things You'll Need

• Ingredients:
• Kosher salt
• Lime zest
• Tequila
• Orange flavored liqueur
• Lime flavored bar mix
• Lime juice
• Lemon juice
• Lemon/lime soda
• ice
• Small bowl
• Shallow dish
• Stemmed margarita glasses
• Shaker
• Lid
• Bar jigger
• Grater
• Knife

Instructions

1. 

   Use course salt.

   Set out the ingredients, bar tools and margarita glasses. Pour course Kosher salt in a small bowl. Grate the lime to make a zest (fine pieces of the fruit peel) over the salt. Mix the salt with the lime thoroughly. Pour it into a small, shallow dish.

2. 

   User fresh limes in your margaritas.

   Slice the lime in half and rub it around the rim of a wide mouthed, stemmed margarita glass. Flip the glass upside down and dip it into the salt mix. Lift it slightly and dip it in the dish a second time to make sure the entire rim is covered evenly. Set the glass to the side.

3. 

   Mix the ingredients in a shaker.

   Pour 2 oz. of at least a moderate brand of tequila into a shaker. Using a cheap brand will adversely effect the quality of a margarita, giving it a less than flavorful taste. Pour 1 oz. of orange flavored liqueur on top of the tequila. Add 1 1/2 oz. of lime flavored bar mix. Squeeze 1 oz. of lime juice into the jigger and add it to the shaker. Squeeze 1/2 oz. lemon into the jigger next and pour it into the mix.

4. Add a splash of lemon-lime soda. The soda adds a touch of fizz to your drink. Make sure you don't shake more than 1 oz. into the margarita. Too much gives an odd flavor to the drink.

5. 

   Your finished margarita will be a hit with friends.

   Follow the liquid ingredients with 1 1/2 cups of cubed ice. Cover the shaker and mix well. There is no right way to mix the ingredients. Shake or swirl the mix. Fill the margarita glass with ice. Remove the lid from the shaker and strain the ingredients into the glass. Garnish with lime and serve.

References

• How Sweet It Is: Margaritas on the Rocks
• All Recipes: Margaritas on the Rocks