Tequila cocktails stand out from the mixology pack thanks to tequila’s distinctive agave flavor. It’s a flavor familiar to anybody who has sipped a Margarita or two. It only makes sense. All tequila is made from blue agave plants indigenous to Mexico. Most tequila drinks are crafted with Blanco tequila. Also called white tequila and silver tequila, this clear tequila is often unaged or aged for just a month. Aged Reposado and Añejo tequilas are more appropriate for slow sipping.
The classic Margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It’s also one of the easiest cocktails to craft at home with just three ingredients and no special bar tools. The classic Margarita isn’t fruity-tooty. It’s not crafted with Margarita mix from a plastic bottle and it doesn’t have an ingredient list as long as your arm.
The classic Margarita is a shaken sour cocktail crafted with just three ingredients – tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Most mixologists choose to salt the cocktail’s glass – an option that adds some flair to the drink.
Crafting this classic at home is all about the ingredient ratio. The traditional Margarita recipe uses a 2:1:1 ratio of tequila, triple sec and lime juice to achieve a balanced sip. You can go heavier on the tequila or lighter on the lime juice but, at the end of the day, it’s all about what you like best. This 2:1:1 ratio hits the flavor sweet spot where sour lime, sweet orange and earthy agave combine to create a drink better than the sum of its parts.
The classic Margarita recipe only requires the following ingredients:
- Blanco Tequila
- Triple Sec
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Ice Cubes
- Coarse Salt (for rim)
- Lime Wedge (for rim)
- Lime Wedge or Wheel (for garnish)
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, lime juice and triple sec. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels cold. Strain the mix into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Serve with a wedge of lime.
