Name: Classic Margarita Cocktail: Easy 3-Ingredient Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 oz (60 ml) 100% Agave Tequila: Type: Use a Blanco (Silver) or Reposado tequila. Blanco is unaged, offering a pure, crisp agave flavor perfect for a sharp, clean Margarita. Reposado is aged 2-12 months in oak, imparting a slight vanilla and caramel smoothness that adds complexity.; Quality: This is non-negotiable. Avoid “mixto” tequilas (which contain only 51% agave sugar). Look for “100% de Agave” on the label.; 1 oz (30 ml) Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: This is the second non-negotiable ingredient. Do not use bottled lime juice. The flavor is flat and bitter compared to the bright, vibrant acidity of fresh juice. You will need about 1-2 medium limes for this.; 1 oz (30 ml) Orange Liqueur: Cointreau is the gold standard. It is a clear, dry orange liqueur with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitter orange peel complexity.; Triple Sec is a generic term for a similar, though often less refined and sweeter, orange liqueur.; Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored cognac) can be used for a richer, deeper, and more luxurious version, often called a “Cadillac Margarita.”; Kosher Salt or Margarita Salt for the rim.; 1 fresh Lime Wedge or Wheel for garnish and rimming.; Ice: For shaking and serving

Description

Shake up the perfect Classic Margarita! This easy 3-ingredient recipe is fresh, tangy, and balanced, the ultimate refreshing cocktail

Ingredients

The Core Trinity (The 2-1-1 Ratio):

2 oz (60 ml) 100% Agave Tequila:
- Type: Use a Blanco (Silver) or Reposado tequila. Blanco is unaged, offering a pure, crisp agave flavor perfect for a sharp, clean Margarita. Reposado is aged 2-12 months in oak, imparting a slight vanilla and caramel smoothness that adds complexity.
- Quality: This is non-negotiable. Avoid “mixto” tequilas (which contain only 51% agave sugar). Look for “100% de Agave” on the label.
1 oz (30 ml) Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice:
- This is the second non-negotiable ingredient. Do not use bottled lime juice. The flavor is flat and bitter compared to the bright, vibrant acidity of fresh juice. You will need about 1-2 medium limes for this.
1 oz (30 ml) Orange Liqueur:
- Cointreau is the gold standard. It is a clear, dry orange liqueur with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitter orange peel complexity.
- Triple Sec is a generic term for a similar, though often less refined and sweeter, orange liqueur.
- Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored cognac) can be used for a richer, deeper, and more luxurious version, often called a “Cadillac Margarita.”

For the Glass and Garnish:

Kosher Salt or Margarita Salt for the rim.
1 fresh Lime Wedge or Wheel for garnish and rimming.
Ice: For shaking and serving

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Glass
Chill a double Old Fashioned (rocks) glass or a coupe glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. When ready, pour a layer of salt onto a small plate. Take your lime wedge and run it around the outer rim of the glass to moisten it. Roll the moistened rim in the salt until it has a nice, even coating. Set the prepared glass aside.

Step 2: The Cocktail Shaker Setup
Fill a cocktail shaker about two-thirds full with fresh, high-quality ice. Using fresh ice (not ice that has been sitting in the freezer for weeks) ensures a crisp, clean taste and a proper chill.

Step 3: Measure and Pour the Trinity
Using a jigger for accuracy, pour the 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, and 1 ounce of orange liqueur (Cointreau) directly over the ice in the shaker.

Step 4: The Vigorous Shake
Secure the lid on your shaker tightly. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. You are not just chilling the drink; you are diluting it to the perfect level and aerating the ingredients to create a wonderfully frothy, integrated texture. The shaker should feel very cold in your hands.

Step 5: Strain and Serve
If you used a coupe glass, strain the cocktail directly into the chilled, salt-rimmed glass, ensuring no ice escapes. For a rocks glass, you can strain it over a single large ice cube (to prevent over-dilution) or into the glass without ice.

Step 6: The Final Garnish
Garnish with a fresh, thin lime wheel placed on the rim of the glass, or simply drop the spent lime wedge from the rim into the drink.

Step 7: Enjoy Immediately
A Margarita is a drink that is best enjoyed fresh and cold. Sip immediately and appreciate the perfect balance you have created

Notes

Cocktail Shaker (Boston or Cobbler style)
Jigger (for precise measurement)
Hawthorne Strainer (if using a Boston shaker) or built-in strainer
Citrus Juicer or Reamer
Knife and Cutting Board
Double Old Fashioned (Rocks) Glass or Coupe Glass

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Category: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 200-225 kcal
Sugar: ~5-8 g
Sodium: ~1 mg
Carbohydrates: ~8 g