Margarita Recipe

Looking for a classic cocktail recipe to impress friends and family? The margarita is one of the world’s best cocktails, and one of the easiest to make, too. This delicious blend of orange liqueur, tequila and lime juice is perfect for hot summer nights, barbecues or Friday night drinks with friends.

The margarita originally hails from Mexico. Like many of the world’s most popular cocktails, there are lots of competing stories about when, where and who first made it. It’s generally agreed that the margarita was first made in the 1930s or 1940s. It became a popular drink in the US and is now a staple of cocktails bars around the world.

There are many variations of margaritas – fruity ones, frozen ones, whatever takes your fancy. But a classic margarita should be made with orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec), white tequila and fresh lime juice. It should be served in a wide margarita glass, which is similar to a Champagne coupe glass. The rim of the glass is often dipped in sugar or salt.

We asked top mixologist Gaetano Chiavetta how to make the perfect classic margarita. Follow his recipe video then get your three ingredients ready to follow the recipe below. Our recipe makes one drink, so if you’re catering for a crowd then multiply the quantities and make up the cocktail in a large pitcher. Chill in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

How To Make a Margarita

1. Shake all the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker, then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

2. For fruit Margarita options, add 15ml sugar syrup and a small quantity of fruit puree to the shaker with the other ingredients, before straining. Serve immediately.

Ingredients

• 40ml tequila
• 20ml Cointreau
• 20ml lime juice