Classic Margarita Recipe (it’s much easier than you think!)

Margarita us such a classic drink but no one really knows who created it. Whoever this popular cocktail was named after, she must have been beautiful, classy, exciting and provocative, just like the drink.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Classic margarita in small tumbler, pink salt cocktail, cocktail with lime slices
Classic margarita

History of Margarita

There are many, many stories explaining the origin of margarita.

  • There’s the one about the Texas socialite Margaret _Margarita_ Sames, who claimed to have invented in at her Acapulco party in 1948. But the tequila company Jese Cuervo was already doing margarita ads in 1945. So that’s that.
  • Some people say it was named after Margarita Cansino, who used to perform at the Agua Caliente. This sexy Margarita was later known as Rita Hayworth.
  • Cocktail historian David Wondrich, who writes for Imbibe, suggests that the classic was probably not a Mexican invention, but might very well have evolved from an old cocktail called daisy. The daisy was a mixture of tequila, citrus juice and grenadine served over shaved ice and was doing the rounds in the early 20th century. Margarita is the Spanish name for daisy.
Classic margarita recipe
Margarita with pink Himalayan salt

Whatever its history, the classic margarita belongs in the higher echelons of the Cocktail hall of fame! It is, quite possibly, my favourite cocktail. I am on a never ending quest to create new margarita recipes, always staying true to the tequila in it. Because I’ve said it before,

It ain’t no margarita if it ain’t got no tequila!

Take a look at what I mean by my margarita journey, all recipes are on the Drinks page:

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Recipe for Rhubarb Margarita with Ginger Salt Rim. A delicious rhubarb cocktail for Spring or Summer.
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Bloody Margarita with Black Lava Salt | a Halloween Cocktail
Bloody Margarita is a dark red margarita made with tequila, aperol and blackberry syrup, perfect for Halloween.
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Classic Margarita Recipe

This is pretty much the standard ratio for margaritas, always heavier on the tequila. I’m giving you the ratios to make 1 serving. Increase it as you see fit; I never make just 1 serving, even if it’s only me drinking! Did I mention how much I love this classic Mexican cocktail?

Frozen Classic Margarita Recipe

Al you need to do to turn a classic margarita or any margarita into a frozen margarita, is to add crushed ice to the whole mix. I just place my ice in a blender or chopper and blitz, until I get semi fine ice bits.

Then half fill a glass with the ice, and pour your mixed margarita over it, to the rim. That’s it!

Let’s go see how easy it is to make a classic margarita!

If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!

And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood

Lin xx

Classic margarita in small tumbler, pink salt cocktail, cocktail with lime slices

Classic Margarita Recipe (it’s much easier than you think!)

Classic margarita recipe, made with tequila, Cointreau and lime juice.
5 from 30 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cocktails, margarita
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 239kcal
Author: Azlin Bloor

Ingredients

  • 60 ml (2 fl oz/2 parts) tequila
  • 30 ml (1 fl oz/1 part) Cointreau
  • 30 ml (1 fl oz/1 part) lime juice (saved the spent lime for the glass rim)
  • simple sugar syrup to taste (recipe below)
  • salt sprinkled on a saucer
  • lime slices for decorating the glass/drink
  • 3 ice cubes

A cocktail shaker would be great, if not, just stir it all up well.

    Simple Sugar Syrup

    • 200 g (1 cup) white sugar
    • 125 ml (½ cup) water

    Instructions

    • Run a lime slice all around the rim of your glass.
    • Dip the glass rim into the salt, coating well.
    • Add the required amounts of tequila, cointreau, lime juice and syrup into your shaker with about half a dozen ice cubes.
    • Shake it all up really well.
    • Taste, add more sugar if you think it needs it.
    • Pour the margarita, minus the ice cubes, into your prepared glass, stick a lime slice on and sip away!

    Sugar Syrup

    • Place the water and sugar into a small pan and bring to a boil.
    • Simmer for 10 minutes on the lowest heat to allow the flavours to develop and the syrup to thicken.
    • Leave to cool, no need to place in the fridge.

    Notes

    Total time does not take into account the making of the simple syrup, which should be made, then cooled.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 9mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @azlinbloor and tag #linsfood!
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    5 thoughts on “Classic Margarita Recipe (it’s much easier than you think!)”

    1. Lisa Steinberg

      This is such an awesome recipe! I added a little more sugar as you suggested because I like mine sweet. Thank you so much

    2. Bethany Watson

      Just to let you know, we are drinking this right now for our girls’ night! Thank you for the recipe!

    3. Laura Henney

      Cheers hun, I didn’t know it was that easy. Just about to put the syrup on for the dinner party tonight. Might do your strawberry one too!

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