How to Make a Perfect Margarita

Posted by Gwen Watson on Jun 5, 2015

Margaritas are the perfect summer drink. They’re citrusy and refreshing – two things we crave once the weather gets hot enough. What’s even more fun is that there are endless variations! This recipe makes a whole pitcher, so it’s great for a crowd. For something different, try one of our suggested variations!

Classic Margarita Recipe

Adapted From Chow.com

Ingredients

• Ice (enough to fill the pitcher up halfway)
• 12 ounces frozen limeade
• 4 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
• 8 cups water, chilled
• 1 liter silver tequila, chilled
• ¼ cup lime juice (fresh squeezed or bottled)
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup (optional)
• Margarita salt
• Lime wedges, to garnish

Instructions

Before you get started, you’ll want to select the perfect tequila. Stay away from amber-colored tequilas such as the reposado style of tequila, which has an intense flavor and is more appropriate for sipping over ice.

Thaw the frozen limeade and orange juice concentrate in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before making the margaritas. Chill the water and silver tequila at least 12 hours in advance.

Fill a large pitcher with ice. Add all the ingredients except the margarita salt. Stir well with a wooden spoon. Only use the agave syrup if you like your margaritas sweet. Otherwise, keep the recipe as is.

To serve, dip the mouth of a margarita glass first in water and then into a dish filled with margarita salt. This will make the salt stick to the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Variations

Strawberry Margaritas. Follow the recipe listed above. Add one cup frozen strawberries that have been thawed along with their juices. Stir and serve as usual.

Mango Margaritas. Puree two cups fresh mango chunks in a food processor or blender. Follow the recipe listed above, using only 6 ounces of limeade instead of 12 ounces. Add the mango puree with the rest of the ingredients and stir.

Pomegranate Margaritas. Follow the recipe listed above. Omit the orange juice, use only 6 ounces of limeade, and add 8 ounces pomegranate juice. Line the rims of the glasses with sugar instead of margarita salt. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Frozen Margaritas. Fill a blender halfway with ice. Add about half of the margarita mixture. Pour into margarita glasses and garnish with a lime wedge. You can also do the same thing for the strawberry and mango margaritas.

Beer Margaritas. This is even easier than the margarita recipe listed above! Fill a pitcher halfway with ice. Add a 12 ounce bottle of beer (any kind you want, but the lighter it is, the better), 6 ounces limeade, and two shots of silver tequila. Stir well to distribute all the ingredients and pour into margarita glasses.

Single-Serve Margaritas. Sometimes, all you want is one margarita! Add 4 ice cubes, 2 ounces lime juice, 1 ounce of tequila, 1 ounce of triple sec, and one teaspoon agave syrup to a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake for thirty seconds. Pour into a salt-rimmed margarita glass.