The Best Margarita on the Rocks Recipe

Let’s be clear: I’ve tried and experimented making just about every classic margarita recipe imaginable. From jalapeño from lean mango to frozen mango…we’ve shaken, stirred and mixed them over the years. Finally, I’m confident in saying that I’ve found the ultimate margarita on the rocks recipe. Because it’s true what they say: you can’t go wrong with a classic.

These days, I’m craving that simple, unmistakable combination of good tequila and fresh lime juice. Don’t get me wrong, flavor variations can be fun, but there’s something about a classic salty edge and fresh lime garnish that defines the best margarita on the rocks recipe.

1 of 7

2 out of 7

3 out of 7

• Tequila. Silver tequila, also called blanco, platinum, or white, is the purest form of tequila. It’s a great liqueur to have on hand for a variety of mixed drinks.
• Lime juice. If you stick to one ingredient recommendation in this recipe, it’s that fresh lime juice is key. For other variations of margarita, feel free to mix it with other juices like grapefruit or lemon.
• Agave. To keep my margarita from getting too sweet, agave is my favorite sweetener choice. Agave nectar comes directly from the blue agave plant (which is actually used to make tequila!). Any agave nectar will do, but we prefer raw agave for the most natural taste.
• Cointreau. Cointreau is part of the family of triple sec liqueurs, produced in Saint-Barthélemy-d’Anjou, France. This orange flavored liqueur is higher quality than traditional triple sec, making it smooth and strong to enhance your classic drink.

Tips for making the best margarita

• Chill your glasses in the freezer for 30 minutes before making them.
• You must, I repeat duty, use freshly squeezed lime juice.
• Shake it longer than you think is necessary. I would say a very enthusiastic shake for 30 seconds is enough to get that icy, frothy consistency.
• Strain your ingredients into your glasses after creating your salt rims.
• Pro tip: you can totally add a few slices of jalapeño to the shaker for a spicy kick – I won’t tell the purists.

4 out of 7

5 out of 7

• Agave vs simple syrup. Simple syrup can become very sweet when added to cocktails. If you don’t have agave, we recommend making your own simple syrup or using only a small amount when making your cocktail.
• Garnish with a lime wedge. Make your margarita perfect by simply adding a wedge of lime to the side of your glass.
• Make it a batch recipe. You can easily increase portions by shaking a few batches and pouring your contents into a pitcher for easy serving.
• Dip in coarse salt for the rim of the glass. Coarse salt is much more presentable on a margarita glass, in my opinion. Wet the rim of your glass with a little lime juice so that the salt sticks to your drink.
• Serve with fries and a dip of your choice. salsa, questionand or guac everything works beautifully. I will never turn down the fries and dip, especially when paired with a delicious margarita.

Other Cocktail Recipes We Love

Salty dog ​​cocktail

This Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail is a delicious twist on a Paloma that uses vodka instead of tequila.

Paloma Spicy Mezcal

This Paloma packs some heat with jalapeño slices and a rim of chili salt.

Lillet Rosé Spritz

Fancy a European getaway in a glass? This Lillet rosé spritz will make you want to vacation in the French countryside.

Limoncello Spritz

Limoncello and prosecco combine to create the best sparkling and refreshing bev of summer.

Homemade Frosé (Iced Rosé)

Don’t be intimidated making a batch of frozen drinks – this frosé is incredibly easy and will keep you cool in the heat.

Carrot-Ginger Cocktail “What’s Up Doc”

Rich in nutrients AND delicious? This carrot-ginger cocktail is the perfect balance between sweet and salty.

6 out of 7

To print

This post was originally posted on May 3, 2020 and has since been updated.