You won’t find margarita mix in The Weary Chef’s house, only this Fresh Margarita!
When I started this blog way back in January 2013, I posted a cocktail recipe every Thursday in preparation for Friday Happy Hour. I kicked things off with my all-time favorite: this authentic, perfect margarita. When I talk about Fiesta Night at our house (our weekly Mexican dinner), half the fun is the food, and the other half is the cocktails, typically these babies.
You will not find margarita mix in my kitchen. These authentic cocktails are tart, strong, and delicious. I strongly prefer a generously salted rim, but salt or don’t salt according to your taste. I mix these up in a 2-cup glass measuring cup, which is the reason for the metric measurements. This cocktail is easy to mix using the metric side of the measuring cup as a guide.
If you like real margaritas, this is the recipe for you. All you need are limes, an orange, tequila, a good orange liqueur, and agave nectar. Usually a house margarita at a restaurant uses sweet and sour mix, cheap tequila, and triple sec. I’ve certainly had my fair share of house margaritas, but I always think the real deal tastes better at home! When you try the recipe, I think you will agree. Cheers!
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The Best Fresh Margarita
There is no better way to drink margaritas than with fresh lime juice and agave nectar. This recipe is the real deal!
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
Ingredients
- 125 milliliters fresh lime juice (4-6 limes)
- 100 milliliters fresh orange juice
- 175 milliliters tequila (100% agave silver tequila)
- 50 milliliters Cointreau or other good orange liqueur
- 50 milliliters light agave nectar or to taste
- kosher salt optional
Instructions
- Squeeze lime and orange juices into glass measuring cup. (I measure using the metric side.)
- Add tequila, Cointreau, and agave nectar. Stir well. Taste and add more agave nectar to taste if desired.
- To salt glass, rub cut lime around outer edge of the rim, coating the top 1/2″ well with lime juice. Pour about a teaspoon of salt into the palm of your hand, and roll outer edge of glass in salt until coated.
- Fill glasses with ice. Pour, sip, pucker, smile.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: Mexican
I picked out these other cocktail recipes I think you’ll love:
Tracy says
This is an amazingly refreshing recipe! I didn’t have cointreau on hand so I left it out but will certainly try it when I pick some up. Great job!
★★★★★
Wendy Coe says
Perfect indeed. I cannot stop drinking these. Now where did I put my toddler…?
Thank you for another delicious recipe!
Karri says
Wonderful recipe!!! This was the best I’ve tried. A keeper for sure! Now I am excited to try more of yours!!
Thanks!!!
Andi Gleeson says
Thank you so much, Karri! I’m so pleased you like it because this is my very favorite drink!
Laura Wilson says
Ok…this looks fabulous! Do you have a suggestion if I’d like to try this recipe frozen?
Andi says
Hi, Laura! I haven’t made a frozen margarita, but I think just blending it up with ice will still taste great. Having ice melt in is definitely important to the drink because it’s really strong, so it needs to be diluted. That will work with blending the ice in too. Cheers! :)
The Weary Chef says
Thanks! I can make you one when I see you!
Katherine Auguston says
Wow does that look yummy!