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.
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)
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.
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!
Tips on a Margarita
Easily! Combine everything (except the salt) with ¼ cup of ice in a high speed blender. Blend up and enjoy!
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
Want More Margaritas?
More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
Print the Recipe
PrintMargarita
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.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Cocktail Shaker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 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!
Keywords: tequila, margarita, cocktails, drinks, homemade happy hour, lime, tequila cocktails, margarita on the rocks, margaritas, happy hour
Katie
Hoping to make tonight, however I do not have simple syrup (unless the hummingbird food I made counts). Any subs?
Katy McAvoy
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.