Go Back

The Perfect Margarita

This is the best margarita recipe I know! It has the perfect ratio of white tequila, high-quality triple sec, and freshly squeezed lime juice for the best-tasting sweet and sour margarita every time.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine world
Servings 1 people
Calories 332.6 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Cocktail Shaker Essential for chilling and mixing ingredients thoroughly.
  • 1 Margarita Glass Or similar chilled serving glass.
  • 1 Small Plate For salting the rim of the glass.
  • 1 Jigger or Measuring Tools For precise measurement of liquids.
  • 1 Citrus Juicer For extracting fresh lime juice efficiently.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 wedge lime
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or as needed
  • 1 large ice cube
  • 1 cup ice cubes or as needed
  • 2 fluid ounces white tequila
  • 1 ½ fluid ounces triple sec
  • 1 fluid ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 slice lime

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Moisten the rim of a glass with a lime wedge. Sprinkle salt onto a plate. Lightly dip the moistened rim into the salt. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Place a large ice cube in the glass and freeze the prepared glass until ready to serve.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker with fresh ice. Add tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Cover and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Strain margarita into the salt-rimmed chilled glass and garnish with a slice of lime. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Notes

The foundation of a perfect margarita lies in the quality of its components. Always use freshly squeezed lime juice; bottled alternatives lack the vibrant acidity and aroma crucial for balance. For the tequila, opt for a 100% agave blanco for a clean, bright profile, or a reposado for a slightly smoother, oak-kissed nuance. The triple sec also plays a vital role; a higher-quality orange liqueur will provide depth and a less syrupy sweetness. Ensure your glass is well-chilled, ideally in the freezer, to maintain the drink's temperature longer. When salting the rim, apply it only to the outside to avoid salt clumping in the drink. Shake vigorously with plenty of ice until the shaker is frosted to achieve proper dilution and optimal chill.