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    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!

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    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
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    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

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

    Print the Recipe

    Print

    Margarita

    Margarita
    Print Recipe
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    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

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    Citrus Reamer

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    Jigger

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    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!

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    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

    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

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy. 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 daaaaays. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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