• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mitten Girl
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Food
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Portfolio
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Food
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktails
    • Food
    • My Book
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recent Posts » Cocktail Recipes

    4 Ingredient, Classic, Tequila Margarita (Video)

    Published: Apr 7, 2021 · Updated: Jan 25, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 27
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    margarita

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Whether you are Team Salted Rim or Team No Salt, a classic margarita on the rocks is a delicious addition to Taco Tuesday or any happy hour. 

    A margarita cocktail is so easy to make, only takes 4 ingredients, and doesn't require sour mix. In fact, forget sour mix was ever created. Make some quick simple syrup, squeeze some limes, and mix your drink. I promise it’ll impress your friends and you'll never buy sour mix again.

    Margarita

    Make it a Strawberry or Mango Margarita

    Want to give your margarita a flavor besides lime? Make strawberry or mango syrup and swap that for the simple syrup. Just follow the fruit syrup instructions on my DIY cocktail syrups page. 

    What You Need

    • Silver tequila
    • Simple syrup 
    • Limes
    • Triple sec (or your favorite orange liqueur)
    • Salt for garnish (optional)
    Buy Homemade Happy Hour

    Prep Your Glass 

    Run a slice of lime around the rim. 

    Pour some salt into a shallow dish and gently run the rim of your glass through the salt. 

    The rim of a glass being dipped in a shallow dish of salt.

    Fill the glass with ice. 

    Set aside.

    Make Your Margarita

    Place all remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    Shake well, strain and pour into your prepared glass. 

    Garnish with a wedge of lime.

    Enjoy! 

    Margarita

    Tips on a Margarita

    How do I make this into a frozen margarita?

    Easily! Combine everything (except the salt) with ¼ cup of ice in a high speed blender. Blend up and enjoy!

    Can I use bottled lime juice?

    Of course it's possible, but fresh juice is SUPER important in this recipe. There’s only 4 ingredients in these margaritas, so there's really no substitute for fresh limes. They really do make a different. You should need 1 lime per drink. Be sure to roll your limes on the counter while pressing down firmly to release as much juice as possible before slicing into them.

    How do I make simple syrup?

    Simple syrup is literally white sugar dissolved into hot water. That's it! You can make it using a coffee cup and a microwave. Head over to my DIY Cocktail Syrups page for instructions and ratios for making simple syrup. Don't forget to make your syrup ahead of time so it can cool completely before you use it.

    What kind of salt should I use on the rim?

    You can use whatever salt you have on hand for rimming your glass. Coarse or flake salt are delicious and look nice on a rim. However, I often use table salt as it adheres nicely to the glassware (and honestly I'm lazy and that's what's hanging out in my kitchen).

    Do I have to use Silver Tequila?

    I love the fresh taste of silver (non-aged) tequila over reposado tequila, which is aged in oak barrels for a few months and has an amber color. If you prefer the flavors of Reposado tequila for your margaritas, feel free to swap out the silver tequila for its amber counterpart.

    What can I use besides triple sec?

    Any orange liqueur - or even a little orange juice - will work here instead of the triple sec. Grand Marnier and Cointreau are two of the most popular, and widely available orange liqueurs. If you want it to be Michigan-made, Long Road Distillers makes a delicious orange liqueur that works great in margaritas.

    Happy Hour Food Pairings

    Plate full of tortilla chips
    Homemade Tortilla Chips
    Vegan Mushroom Tacos
    15 Minute Mushroom Tacos

    Want More Margaritas?

    Elderflower Margaritas
    Elderflower Margaritas
    Watermelon Margaritas
    Watermelon Margaritas
    Buy Homemade Happy Hour

    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

    • 5 Minute Blender Salsa
    • (Not Quite A) Paloma
    • Quick and Easy Black Bean Mango Salsa
    • Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos
    • Avocado Corn Salsa
    • Grapefruit Tequila - DIY Infused Liquor

    Print the Recipe

    Print

    Margarita

    Margarita
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Whether you're Team Salted Rim or Team No Salt, a classic margarita on the rocks is a delicious addition to Taco Tuesday - or any night. 

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Cocktail Shaker
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz silver tequila
    • 1 oz simple syrup
    • 1 oz fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 oz triple sec
    • Salt

    Instructions

    To prep your glass: 

    Run a slice of lime around the rim OR dip the rim in a little water. 

    Pour some salt into a shallow dish and gently run the rim of your glass through the salt. 

    Fill the glass with ice. 

    Set aside.

    Make your cocktail: 

    Place all remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    Shake well, strain and pour into your prepared glass. 

    Garnish with a wedge of lime.

    Enjoy! 

    Equipment

    Image of Cocktail Shaker

    Cocktail Shaker

    Buy Now →
    Image of Citrus Reamer

    Citrus Reamer

    Buy Now →
    Image of Jigger

    Jigger

    Buy Now →

    Keywords: tequila, margarita, cocktails, drinks, homemade happy hour, lime, tequila cocktails, margarita on the rocks, margaritas, happy hour

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

    Cocktail Recipes

    • Orange slices falling into a glass of mimosa.
      How to Create an Easy DIY Mimosa Bar 
    • Blackberry margarita.
      Refreshing Blackberry Margarita Recipe 
    • Sugar Cookie Martini
      Delicious Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe 
    • A steaming mug of bourbon hot toddy cocktail.
      Bourbon Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 27

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Katie

      May 05, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Hoping to make tonight, however I do not have simple syrup (unless the hummingbird food I made counts). Any subs?

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy

        May 07, 2022 at 8:41 am

        Make simple syrup with hot water and sugar! Mix 1/2 cup of sugar into 1/2 cup hot water. Stir until dissolved, then chill it.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Weekly Newsletter

    Join my email list and get my 5 CLASSIC COCKTAILS EBOOK sent to you immediately!

    Subscribers receive a new and delicious recipe in their inbox each week.

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Tomato Rice and Beans
      Easy Tomato Rice and Beans on the Stove Top
    • Lavender Lemon Drop Martini
      Easy Lavender Lemon Drop Martini with Vodka
    • BBQ Meatballs in a bowl, garnished with parsley.
      Easy 15 Minute Stove Top BBQ Meatballs
    • Glass filled with mocktail drink and garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)
    • Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
      Delicious Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
    • DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar
      How to Set Up a DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar Your Guest Will Love
    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktails
      Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktail (Not Blended)
    • Cranberry Mocktail
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
    • Non Alcoholic Mojito Mocktails
      Non-Alcoholic Mojito Mocktail is the Perfect Summer Drink
    • A Pineapple Mai Tai in a pineapple shaped glass.
      The Best Pineapple Mai Tai Rum Cocktail

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Mitten Girl LLC

    2942 shares
    • 27