Classic Margarita
Three ingredients in the right proportions, shaken hard and served over ice with a half-salted rim. No mixers, no syrups, no sour mix — just tequila, lime and Cointreau.
Method
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Spread the salt on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the outer half of the glass rim only — salting the inside means salt falls into the drink.
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Roll the outer rim in the salt and set the glass aside, adding fresh ice to chill it.
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Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds with ice.
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Add the tequila, lime juice, Cointreau and agave syrup if using.
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Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker is painfully cold and thickly frosted.
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Strain over fresh ice in the prepared glass — never the ice you shook with, which has already broken down.
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Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Chef’s Tips
- Squeeze the limes to order. Juice loses its aroma within about 20 minutes of squeezing.
- 100% agave tequila only. Mixto tequila is half cane sugar and is the main reason margaritas cause headaches.
- For a frozen version, blend everything with 200 g of ice and reduce the lime slightly, since cold mutes acidity.
Pairing Suggestions
- Serve with tacos al pastor, ceviche or guacamole
- A classic aperitivo before Mexican food
- Follow with churros
Storage & Reheating
Mix to order. A pre-batched mix of tequila, lime and Cointreau keeps 1 day refrigerated — shake with ice when serving.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.