A fresh and vibrant spin on a classic cocktail. This margarita is made with fresh squeezed lime juice and crisp tequila. It’s such a refreshing sip!
I was introduced to deliciousness of margaritas during senior year of college. Being a newly minted 21 year old meant Margarita Monday, Tequila Tuesday, Winesday Wednesday, and Thirsty Thursday was justifiably appropriate.
Flash forward to my late 30s and I’m all about margarita quality over quantity. For the best tasting margarita, fresh squeezed lime juice is a must!
Ingredients
You really only need three ingredients to make a spectacular tasting margarita. Those items being: good tequila, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. None of that sour mix or margarita mix nonsense!
I recommend using silver or blanco tequila. This clear tequila is bottled immediately after being distilled. Look for bottled labeled “100% agave.” High quality silver tequila should be smooth on the palette with a fresh aroma. I likr Herradura Silver, Don Julio Blanco, and Patron Silver.
Resposado tequila is also a great choice. This tequila is aged anywhere from 2 to 12 months. The golden color comes from the oak barrels it is aged in.
Fresh lime juice does wonders. Fresh squeezed lime juice is the only way to make a margarita. A citrus squeezer makes juicing limes and lemons super easy.
The last ingredient is simple syrup or your sweetener of choice. Simple syrup is a one to one mixture of water and sugar. It is heated together until the sugar dissolves. Asides from simple syrup, you can use agave nectar, honey syrup, or maple syrup. Keep in mind, these substitutes will slightly alter the flavor of the margarita.
Orange liqueur is an optional fourth ingredient. I highly recommend using Cointreau or Grand Marnier. This really rounds out the flavors making the margarita well balanced.
To make a little fancier, I like to add a lime zest-coarse salt rim. While rimming the glass in regular old salt is perfectly fine, go the extra distance by adding some lime zest. It not only looks pretty; it adds a nice little zing and pop of flavor.
Recommended Tools
- Microplane Zester: This is a kitchen staple! Use it to zest citrus or grate parmesan cheese. It’s also great for grating nutmeg and other spices.
- Citrus Squeezer: Buy the lemon sized squeezer and use it for both lemons and limes.
- Mini Shotglass Measuring Glass: The key to excellent well balanced cocktails is proper measurements. Don’t eye ball it. Take the time to measure out the liquid ingredients.
Instructions
Cheers! You’ve just made a delicious and refreshing fresh lime margarita!
This fresh lime margarita can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, or more to accommodate larger parties.
Large Batch Margarita
Serves 8. Mix ingredients together in a large pitcher. Keep chilled until ready to use. Stir before serving.
- 12 oz silver tequila ( 1.5 cups)
- 8 oz fresh squeezed lime juice (1 cup)
- 4 oz orange liqueur (0.5 cup)
- 12 Tbsp simple syrup (0.75 cup)
Variations
There are several ways to adapt this recipe! Serve the margarita on the rocks as instructed in the recipe card. Or, opt to make a frozen margarita, margarita popsicle, or tequila ice pop!
More Margarita Recipes
Fresh Lime Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz orange liqueur
- 1 ½ Tablespoon simple syrup,, or more to taste
Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Salt Rim:
- 1 Tablespoon coarse salt, or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- finely grated zest from 1 lime
Instructions
- Moisten the rim of serving glass with a lime wedge. Invert glass on lime zest-salt mixture. Twist glass to ensure it is thoroughly coated.
- Turn glass right side-up. Pour in tequila, followed by fresh lime juice. Add orange liqueur and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Add ice. Garnish with lime wedge. If desired, sprinkle a little lime zest on top of drink.
Simple Syrup:
- Place water and sugar in a small sauce pot. Set over medium heat and cook until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to another container and store in the fridge to chill.
Salt Rim:
- On a flat surface combine salt, sugar, and lime zest. Mix together.
Notes
- I recommend using silver or blanco tequila. This clear tequila is bottled immediately after being distilled.
- Resposado tequila is also a great choice. This tequila is aged anywhere from 2 to 12 months. The golden color comes from the oak barrels it is aged in.
- There are many orange liqueurs to choose from. I recommend Contreau or Grand Marnier.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Yummy fresh key-lime tree from outback😎🌴
Thank you so much!
Restaurant quality!!! All I can say is, wow. Absolute perfection!
This was great. I also added like 5-7 little dots of sriracha to it and with the sweetness and just barely noticeable heat it was crazy good.
Nice touch adding the sriracha! I’m sure it was tasty!
Made these just a few hours ago. They are wonderful and amazing. I only wish I had bought more limes…
Landed through tastespotting. I loved the picture a lot, crisp and so sexy. For me 1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila, 4 tequila, 5 tequila and then floor ;)
Tequila margrita is my most beloved drink, i never thought it is so simple that i could make at home. Will try now:)
Thanks so much! So happy you found me :) Cheers!
Mmmm….. This looks delicious and refreshing and perfect for this coming summer. Pinned!
Thanks Rochelle! I’m thinking of making mango or strawberry versions this summer!