How to Mix a Good Margarita

Add fresh-squeezed lime juice to margaritas for the best taste.

The key to mixing a deliciously refreshing margarita is simplicity. The famous drink is far-too-often over-sweetened with sugary syrups and mixes that greatly overpower the foundation of the margarita, tequila. Clear tequila, fresh-squeezed key lime juice, orange liqueur, such as triple sec or Cointreau, a little bit of sugar and plenty of ice are all it takes to create a classic margarita. This basic recipe is perfect for your next get-together, and it can be easily personalized to your specific tastes.

Things You'll Need

• 2 oz. blanco, silver or reposado tequila
• 1 oz. triple sec/orange liqueur
• 1 oz. key lime juice
• Sugar
• Kosher salt
• Lime wedge
• Ice
• Shaking tin
• Margarita glass

Instructions

1. Prepare your margarita glass by rimming it with kosher salt, then filling it with ice.

2. Juice limes to produce 1 oz. of fresh juice. Add lime juice, tequila, triple sec/orange liqueur and a spoonful of sugar to a shaker tin filled halfway with ice.

3. Shake and strain into the margarita glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Tips & Warnings

• For a more authentic margarita, use agave nectar, a natural Mexican sweetener that may be used in the place of sugar.

• Unless you are a tequila aficionado, there is no need to make margaritas with very expensive tequila. The mix of sweet and sour tastes help to disguise the taste of tequila.

• Using a "gold" tequila, such as Jose Cuervo, is not recommended. It often makes the drink too sweet due to the added caramel.

References

• Miss Charming: Margaritas
• Mercury News: Cocktail Chronicles: Making the Best Margaritas