Paul Kushner
As one of the most well-known drinks in North America and beyond, the Margarita is a blend of sweet orange liquor and tangy lime.
The classic drink is not only delicious and potent, but if prepared fresh, it also contains plenty of Vitamin C from the lime juice.
Although its origins are not certain, the cocktail has been around for many decades and continues to be served all around the world.
History
There are several different theories as to where and how the cocktail originated.
Some believe that it was first made in 1948 in Acapulco, Mexico by a Dallas socialite. But another theory states that it is a twist on the Daisy, a very similar drink featuring spirit, citrus, orange liqueur and soda. This is supported by the fact that the cocktail’s name means ‘Daisy flower’ in Spanish.
Since then, many different versions have been invented, such as one where the orange liquor is completely removed, or a $2,500 drink making use of the costly Clase Azul Ultra añejo tequila.
What’s more, there is a frozen option, created in a soft-serve machine in 1971 that is now on display in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Today, you can obtain frozen cocktails in many restaurants and bars thanks to this invention.
How To Make It
Classic Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of Tequila (preferably a good quality, 100% agave tequila)
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
- 1 ounce of Triple Sec (you can also use Cointreau or any other orange liqueur)
- 1-2 teaspoons of Agave syrup or simple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- Salt for the rim of the glass
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your glass: Take a lime wedge and run it along the rim of your glass. Then, turn the glass upside down and dip it into a plate of salt, ensuring the rim is fully covered. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, fresh lime juice, Triple Sec, and agave syrup if using. Fill the shaker with ice.
- Cover the shaker and shake for about 15-20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice, and strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
- Enjoy responsibly!
The classic version of this drink is prepared with blanco tequila, made 100% from blue agave. Although you can use a tequila that’s not labelled blanco, this won’t create the same superior drink because it will contain up to 49% mystery sugars.
Similarly, many people use premade sour mix, but to get the flavor just right, it’s essential that you use fresh lime juice.
If you follow the original recipe, you will also add orange liqueur, although some versions call for this to be replaced with agave syrup. Similarly, you can add some salt and a lime wheel as garnish.
Variations
There are many twists on the classic margarita – you can add different fruit flavors, frozen varieties, and more.
- The Devil’s Margarita adds red wine to the original recipe for a full, complex flavor.
- A Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita adds pineapple and jalapeno to the mix for a spicy, fruity margarita.
- The Frozen Margarita is blended into a slushie with ice for a frozen treat.
- Tommy’s Margarita is a variation that uses agave instead of orange liqueur.
Other flavors like watermelon margaritas, mango, strawberry margaritas are also fun variations on the classic!
FAQ
What is a real margarita made of?
A classic margarita is made of blanco tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, shaken with ice and then served either on the rocks or blended and frozen.
Is triple sec necessary for a margarita?
The classic margarita recipe calls for triple sec or another orange liqueur, but you can make a margarita without it in a pinch. Instead, use agave nectar or another sweetener.
Should a margarita have a salt or sugar rim?
The most common rim for a margarita is a salt rim, but if you don’t like salt and you prefer a sweeter touch to your drink, you can add a sugar rim instead. You can also experiment with other rim options, like Tajin or a salt blend!
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