The Margarita, despite its *ubiquita* as a Cinco de Mayo standby, has firm roots as a classic cocktail: *Margarita* translates to “daisy,” a vintage name for a sour that uses a liqueur as a sweetener. 


How to Make a Margarita: Classic Margarita Cocktail Recipe

Margaritas are extremely forgiving when it comes to adaptation; the grassy, herbaceous notes of agave spirits pair particularly well with herbs, citrus, and spicy peppers. [Feel free to muddle in fresh ingredients](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-muddle-ingredients-for-a-cocktail) or modifiers to your liking, keeping in mind that the fundamental key to a great sour is an interplay between sweet and sour that harmonizes with the base spirit. The essential ingredients for a perfect Margarita are:

1. __Lime__: Skip the Margarita mix. Freshly squeezed lime juice is the key to making the best Margarita. Keep extra limes on hand for garnish.
2. __Tequila__: Reposado tequila is a great choice for a classic Margarita, but tequila blanco (aka silver tequila), tequila anejo, and even smoky mezcal can all make a good Margarita.
3. __Orange liqueur__: An orange-flavored triple-sec like Cointreau provides sweetness to balance the lime juice. If you don’t have Cointreau, try using Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored Cognac), agave syrup, or simple syrup for sweetener.
4. __Salt__: To make a salt rim, rub a lime wedge along the rim of the glass, then dip in a shallow bowl filled with sea or kosher salt.
The Margarita, despite its *ubiquita* as a Cinco de Mayo standby, has firm roots as a classic cocktail: *Margarita* translates to “daisy,” a vintage name for a sour that uses a liqueur as a sweetener. 


Margaritas are extremely forgiving when it comes to adaptation; the grassy, herbaceous notes of agave spirits pair particularly well with herbs, citrus, and spicy peppers. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-muddle-ingredients-for-a-cocktail' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-muddle-ingredients-for-a-cocktail","linkCopy":"Feel free to muddle in fresh ingredients","category":null}'>Feel free to muddle in fresh ingredients</a> or modifiers to your liking, keeping in mind that the fundamental key to a great sour is an interplay between sweet and sour that harmonizes with the base spirit. The essential ingredients for a perfect Margarita are:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Lime: Skip the Margarita mix. Freshly squeezed lime juice is the key to making the best Margarita. Keep extra limes on hand for garnish. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Tequila: Reposado tequila is a great choice for a classic Margarita, but tequila blanco (aka silver tequila), tequila anejo, and even smoky mezcal can all make a good Margarita. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Orange liqueur: An orange-flavored triple-sec like Cointreau provides sweetness to balance the lime juice. If you don’t have Cointreau, try using Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored Cognac), agave syrup, or simple syrup for sweetener. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Salt: To make a salt rim, rub a lime wedge along the rim of the glass, then dip in a shallow bowl filled with sea or kosher salt. </li></ol>

4 Essential Margarita Ingredients

Classic Margarita Cocktail Recipe

The Margarita, despite its ubiquita as a Cinco de Mayo standby, has firm roots as a classic cocktail: Margarita translates to “daisy,” a vintage name for a sour that uses a liqueur as a sweetener.

The Margarita, despite its ubiquita as a Cinco de Mayo standby, has firm roots as a classic cocktail: Margarita translates to “daisy,” a vintage name for a sour that uses a liqueur as a sweetener. 


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How to Make a Margarita: Classic Margarita Cocktail Recipe