This is hands down the best margarita recipe. With it’s easy to find ingredients and perfect flavor, you will leave all the other recipes behind. We have instructions to make one cocktail or a whole pitcher!
This classic margarita recipe has been one of my most popular cocktail recipes for years, and for good reason. This is a recipe that was passed to me by a dear friend who got it from her mom, who got it from an aunt. There is a reason it is a family treasure – it is truly the best. If you want a quality homemade margarita, you can’t go wrong with this recipe. Read the reviews on this one and then make it for yourself!
Made a pitcher (or two!) of these margaritas for a party and they were a huge hit. Love the homemade sweet and sour mix. Thank you…this is my new go-to margarita recipe.
Margarita Ingredients
These margaritas come together with a few simple ingredients.
- Tequila: You will want to use a gold tequila that is made from 100% agave. Read more on this below.
- Orange liqueur: I would recommend using Cointreau for this recipe. It makes for the best margaritas. If your budget only allows for triple sec, you will still love this. Read more on this below.
- Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix: This is the secret ingredient that makes for the best margaritas; it makes for the perfect balance of sweetness. While some recipes call simple syrup and lime juice, I find that this homemade recipe (which is sugar, fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice) leads to true perfection. It is worth the time it takes to make, and freezes great so you can make margaritas all the time.
Sweet and Sour Mix
How to Make a Margarita
This is a brief overview of how to make this perfect cocktail. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Make the sweet and sour mix. You will want to make this at least four hours before you want to serve your margaritas. You need to give it time to properly cool.
- Rim your glasses with salt. Cut a slit in the wedge of a lime. Then rub it around the rim of the glass. Roll the edge of the glass in kosher salt. Then add ice to the glasses. I think a salted rim pairs with the recipe perfectly.
- Fill a metal cocktail shaker with fresh ice. Add the cooled sweet and sour mix, tequila, and orange liqueur to the shaker. Shake until the metal shaker feels cold to the touch.
- Strain the margaritas into the prepared glasses. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Best Tequila for Margaritas
When looking for tequila, there are a few things you want to keep in mind:
- Use 100% agave tequila. You want to look for one that is made from 100% agave (the plant that tequila is made from). Alternatives combine agave and sugar, making a hang over more likely.
- Grab a bottle of gold (Añejo or reposado) tequila. Gold tequila is that color because it has been aged longer. As a result it has a richer flavor than silver tequila, which leads to a better margarita.
- Pick a good brand. Keep in mind that there are good tequilas at each price point. Patrón is a great higher end option, Milagro is perfect for a mid-range budget, and Epsolón or El Jimador are great choices for a lower range budget.
Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo Tequila
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices of tequila before you, it may be helpful to sort the differences between blanco, reposado, and Añejo tequila. The main factor that distinguishes the three are how long they are aged. Blanco tequila typically ages only for two months. Reposado must age for at least two months, and Añejo must age for at least one year. Of course, I will recommend Añejo, as the longer it ages the deeper the taste.
Orange Liqueur
Every good margarita needs orange liqueur. There are primarily three different options for this:
- Triple Sec comes in many different brands and is generally the cheapest option.
- Cointreau is a specific brand and does the same job as triple sec with a higher alcohol content and better flavor.
- Grand Marnier is also delicious and makes an elevated homemade margarita, but also contains cognac. It’s alcohol content is similar to Cointreau.
Pitcher of Margaritas
If you want to make a pitcher of margaritas, and honestly, you do, you will want to follow these measurements. This will give you six margaritas. But you could easily double this recipe. Note that the measurements for sweet and sour mix in the recipe card will yield a little more than you need for a double pitcher.
- 1 1/4 cup Añejo tequila
- 1 1/4 cup sweet and sour mix
- 1/2 cup orange liqueur
Margarita Variations
Once you have the perfect traditional margarita recipe, it’s really easy to make delicious variations . . . which of course I have.
- Jalapeño Margaritas: This is my favorite variation of all. Just a few fresh jalapeños really change the taste in the best way imaginable.
- Frozen Margarita Recipe: If you like your margaritas frozen, this one is for you.
- Strawberry Margaritas: Also frozen, this is a fun recipe, perfect for parties.
- Watermelon Margaritas: This is a cocktail you should make all summer long.
- Coconut Margaritas: Any time you are wishing you were on a tropical island, this is the recipe you should reach for.
- Strawberry Mango Margarita: Another great frozen cocktail, this has tropical vibes.
- Apple Cider Margaritas: Please just trust me when I tell you this needs to be your fall cocktail.
What to Serve with Margaritas
If you are having a party where you are making a pitcher of my margaritas, then make some of these great dishes too!
If you make this great margarita recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
The Best Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
One Margarita
- 1 1/2 ounce Añejo tequila (read my tequila recommendations here)
- 1 1/2 ounce sweet and sour (read all about why this is the secret ingredient here)
- 3/4 ounce orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec
Sweet and Sour Mix (makes 3 1/2 cups, enough for 12 margaritas)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice about 5 – 7 small limes
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 medium lemons
Instructions
Margarita
- Cut a slit in a lime wedge. Rub the lime on the edge of the glass. Roll the glass in kosher salt. Fill the glass with ice and set aside. (Read how to make a pitcher here.)
- Fill a metal shaker with ice. Add in the tequila, sweet and sour mix, and orange liqueur. Shake until the metal shaker feels cold to the touch.1 1/2 ounce Añejo tequila, 1 1/2 ounce sweet and sour, 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
- Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge and enjoy!
Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix
- Make this at one hour before you plan on serving the margaritas.
- Simmer 2 cups of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar over medium heat until it is fully dissolved. Pour it into a jar and let it come to room temperature. To speed up this process, fill a large bowl with ice, and carefully place the mason jar in the middle. Place the whole bowl in the refrigerator.2 cups water, 1 cup sugar
- Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup lime juice to the cooled sugar mixture.1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- Store it in a sealed container for a week in the refrigerator or for up to a month in the freezer.
sarah smith says
It was so easy and very good! purist…..shmurist……this thing is awesome!!! ❤️This recipe!
Sarah! Thank you for trying it and coming back to let me know what you thought!
Carl Pirro says
Lisa, made a picture last evening. Wonderful. Called our condo neighbors over, they stayed outside our patio door and we toasted them. Probably not talking to me today as we drank the whole pitcher. Great tasting. Thank you.
Ha! I’m so glad that you liked it Carl!
Linda says
If you make the Sweet and Sour for 2 pitchers, how long will it keep?
The sweet and sour will still be good for only about a week, so if you need it longer than that, put in the freezer and that will buy you a month.
Holly says
What kind/brand triple sec do you typically use?
Honestly, I typically buy a pretty low shelf triple sec.
Richard says
We swear by your sweet and sour recipe! We have modified it with Splenda instead of sugar and it is still insanely awesome! Thank you for this, I’ll never buy a bottle of that green liquid food coloring corn syrup fake margarita mix again! We use Don Julio and Cointreau with the mix and it is 5 star hotel level! Amazing!
I’m so happy to hear this Richard! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and tell me!
Lunchbox says
Mmm looks delicious! That’s the way I’ll start the weekend and end this Friday! :)
Jen says
Delicious!! Just found your website via the Yummly app… pure gold. This margarita a fantastic! Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad you liked it Jen!
Cody says
Margaritas should not have sweet and sour: use limes and a bit of agave instead. Also, use cointreu, not cheap triple sec.
Cuervo? That isn’t even real tequila as it’s mostly grain alcohol. Stick to 100% agave.
Oh, I wish you’d give this a try before commenting, Cody. It’s delicious.
Tannis says
I agree comment all you want after you try it… just don’t knock it right off the bat!????
Jamie Murray says
can you use cointreau in place of the triple sec?
Yes!
Verbicide says
I can now make margaritas with confidence. We hope Erin is well, send her our best!
Amanda says
This recipe was delicious! I recommend going by the proportions of water to sugar she gave in the sweet and sour mix recipe. I used a 1:1 ratio instead and it was too sweet, so I had to add more citrus to counteract the sweetness. Will definitely make as written the next time. Thanks for sharing!
Katy Strode says
Ooooh my margarita lovin’ goodness!!! This IS actually THE BEST margarita I have ever had!! I consider myself a top notch margarita maker (my prickly pear margaritas are my award winners at parties) but WOW this is just classic & knock your socks of over the top delicious! Ohh & yes, you’re right, that homemade sweet & sour mix takes this to the next level like if there was maragarita Olympics, GOLD, EVERY, SINGLE, TIME! Finding this recipe just made my (& my husbands) night!!!
Wading through tons of comments that aren’t the friendliest and then I find this amazing gem. Thank you Katy, you truly made my day!
Amber M. says
I have searched high and low for the best margarita on the rocks and the this is hands down THE BEST! Followed your recipe all the way and I can honestly say these are restaurant worthy! My husband and I love margaritas, I’m a frozen lover, but he loves them on the rocks so I wanted to find something he would also enjoy! And what I got was a winner for both of us!100 % perfection! Thank you so much for this!
I’m so happy too hear that Amber! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know!
Kim m says
Just made a double batch pitcher can’t wait to try them tonight with good friends it’s my Birthday ???? !! Thank you for the recipe
Happy Birthday Kim!! I hope you love it!