The best margarita is direct and lively: clear agave tequila, citrus liqueur, fresh lime and enough sweetness to round the edges without hiding the sour snap.
The drink belongs to a larger tradition of Mexican conviviality, where a glass, a plate of snacks and a long evening are allowed to unfold at their own pace. This version keeps that spirit while making the method easy to repeat at home.
Use a 100% agave blanco tequila for a clean, fresh flavor. Avoid bottled mixes and overly sweet additions; the lime should remain the center of the drink. Serve it over ice or shake it cold and strain it into a stemmed glass.
Fresh lime, ice and a lightly salted rim keep the drink focused.
The house margarita
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
- 1 lime wedge
- Coarse sea salt or kosher salt, for the rim
- Ice
- 1½ parts 100% agave blanco tequila
- ½ part orange liqueur
- 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
- Simple syrup or superfine sugar, if needed
Directions
- Moisten the rim of an old-fashioned glass with the lime wedge. Dip the rim into the salt.
- Fill the glass with ice. In a small pitcher, stir together the tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. Taste and add a small amount of sweetener only if the drink is too sharp.
- Pour over the ice. For a colder, more polished version, shake the mixture with ice for 10 to 15 seconds and strain into a chilled glass.
Ruby-red variations
Replace the lime juice with an equal measure of unsweetened pomegranate juice, cranberry juice or strongly brewed hibiscus tea. Keep the drink tart and use the same tequila, orange liqueur and ice.
For a gentle savory heat, add a thin slice of fresh jalapeño. For a smoky finish, float a small measure of mezcal on top just before serving.
Simple syrup
Combine one cup sugar and one cup water in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool, transfer to a sealed jar and refrigerate for up to one month. The batch makes about 1½ cups.
Drink thoughtfully and serve responsibly. This recipe is intended for adults of legal drinking age.