Enjoy these recipes all year long, whether it’s Cinco de Mayo, a backyard summer barbeque or sipping during happy hour. From the perfect classic margarita to fresh twists like ruby red grapefruit margaritas, we’ve got you covered. Just add chips and salsa and you’ve got a fiesta any time the moment strikes.
Just one question: Which recipe will you try first?
Cheers!
Basic Tools
- Margarita glasses (we recommend our personalized margarita glasses, pictured below)
- Pitcher
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Small plate(s)
- Cutting board
- Serrated knife (for citrus)
- Optional:
- Citrus press
- Muddler
- Strainer
- Blender
Tips
- Always use fresh ingredients, if possible.
- Prep your rimming ingredients before you begin: pour the ingredients (salt, sugar, etc.) onto a small plate and have lime wedges on hand to rub on the rim before dipping in the dry ingredients.
- Prep your garnishes before you begin mixing, too!
Fresh Lime Margaritas
Yield: 6 drinks
Ingredients
- 1½ cups gold tequila
- ¾ cup Triple Sec
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 tbsp. sugar, divided (2 tablespoons for the margaritas, 2 tablespoons for rimming the glasses)
- 2 tbsp. kosher salt
- Lime slices or wedges
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- Mix salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar on a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glasses, then lightly dip the rims of the glasses into the plate with sugar-salt mixture.
- Stir together the tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar in a pitcher. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Carefully fill the glasses with crushed ice. Pour margarita into the glasses.
- Garnish with lime slices.
Tip: Make it skinny by subbing in fresh squeezed orange juice for the Triple Sec and agave nectar for the sugar, and mix in some mineral water.
(Image and recipe via Kitchen Treaty)
Blackberry Margaritas
Yield: 8 drinks
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% agave blanco tequila
- ¾ cup Cointreau or Triple Sec
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 cup water
- 12 oz. (1 pint) fresh blackberries, plus more for garnish
- ½ – ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tbsp. granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- Crushed ice
Directions
- Mix salt and 1½ tablespoons of sugar on a small plate, then rim according to the above directions.
- In a microwave-safe cup, combine the water and remaining sugar. Microwave on high until the sugar completely dissolves, 1-2 minutes. Stir and set aside to cool.
- In a blender combine the syrup, tequila, Cointreau/Triple Sec, lime juice and blackberries; process until smooth.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
- Serve immediately over crushed ice or refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
(Image and recipe via The Galley Gourmet)
Fresh Peach Margaritas
Yield: 4 drinks
Ingredients
- 6 oz. silver or Blanco tequila
- 4-8 oz. fresh peach puree*
- 3 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 oz. agave syrup
- Lime slices for garnish
- Ice
Directions
- To make the peach puree: peel and pit three or four medium peaches. Place the peaches in a blender and blend until pureed.
- Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake to fully combine.
- Strain into old fashioned/rocks glasses with fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime slices.
(Image and recipe via Boulder Locavore)
Ruby Red Grapefruit Margaritas
Yield: 4 drinks
Ingredients
- 1 cup silver tequila
- 1 cup ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1 cup Triple Sec
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- Kosher salt
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- Ice
Directions
- Rim glasses with lime and salt.
- Combine the grapefruit juice, Triple Sec and ice in a blender.
- Pour into a large pitcher (or keep it in the blender), pour in the tequila and stir.
- Pour into rimmed glasses and garnish with lime wedges.
Note: It’s important to use ruby red grapefruit juice for this recipe, as it is sweeter than regular grapefruit juice.
(Image and recipe via There Goes the Cupcake…)
Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas
Yield: 4 drinks
Ingredients
- 8 oz. tequila
- 7 oz. Triple Sec, divided (6 oz. for the margaritas, 1 oz. for rimming the glasses)
- 6 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 8 thin slices jalapeño
- 1-2 tbsp. sugar, depending on sweetness of watermelon
- 3 tbsp. coarse salt
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- Lime wedges and jalapeño slices for garnish, if desired
- Ice
Directions
- In a blender, puree the watermelon and sugar until smooth. Pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer.
- Transfer the liquid to a pitcher and add the lime juice, tequila, 6 ounces of the Triple Sec and the jalapeño slices. Stir to combine and let sit for at least two hours.
- When ready to serve, combine the salt with the chili powder in a shallow dish. In a second small plate, add the remaining 1 ounce of Triple Sec. Dip the rims of four glasses in the Triple Sec, then coat them in the salt and chili mixture.
- Divide the margarita between the four glasses and garnish each with a lime wedge and additional jalapeño slices, if desired.
Tip: Let the watermelon/lime juice/tequila/Triple Sec/jalapeño mixture chill in the fridge longer – or add more jalapeño slices – to infuse it with more of a kick.
(Image and recipe via The Little Kimchi Pierogi)
Leave us a comment! Which of these margarita recipes did you make and how did they turn out? Also, please share your own margarita variations – our readers love learning about new drinks!