This classic summertime cocktail is a salty, tasty legend all over the world.
I asked a random person on the street recently what the most famous cocktail of all time is. They excitedly screamed “BEER!” at the top of their lungs, sending a blast of sour air into my face. Realizing I had run afoul of a few young and uncultured party dudes on a night out, I decided to try again with a slightly older demographic. Down the street a little was low-lit lounge, and as I walked through the door, it felt as though another era had rushed up to greet me.
Any bar that is frozen in time is instantly a favorite place of mine, and this establishment looked like it came right out of Jackie Brown. I sat at the bar, and was greeted by a subtle and friendly nod. The barkeep had seen it all, and looked as though he had spent a good many years serving drinks and hearing stories. So I asked, what is the most famous mixed drink of all time?
Without hesitation, the answer came back. The Margarita. No explanation was needed, either. Simple, strong, tasty and versatile, the Margarita has been around since the 1930s. And throughout the years, many have claimed to be the cocktail’s progenitor. With a handful of different origin stories attached to it, the Margarita has transcended the decades and become a fixture wherever mixed drinks are sold, made or offered. Especially if a vacation or resort is involved.
I’m sure when you ask different people what the most famous cocktail of all time is, you’ll get different answers. But you’re guaranteed to have tonight’s drink get mentioned a number of times. So let’s gather up our barware and make a few Margaritas right now.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use In A Margarita?
A silver tequila will mix up with the other ingredients in such a way as to give you a perfectly balanced beverage. For a more complex and spicier sip, try a reposado tequila, which is an aged spirit. For the triple sec, there are a number of choices out there, but one top-shelf option that’s often used is Cointreau. As one of the claimants to the creation of the Margarita once said, “a Margarita without Cointreau is not worth its salt.”
Equipment
- A margarita or rocks glass
- A cocktail shaker
- A strainer (if not incorporated in the shaker)
- A citrus juicer
- A jigger
- Optional: a dish for holding the salt used to garnish the rim of the glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz of silver or blanco tequila
- 1 oz of Cointreau or Grand Marnier or any triple sec
- 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
- Salt to rim the glass optional
- Lime wedges to garnish optional
Instructions
- Prep the glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of a cold margarita or rocks glass, then dip the rim in a shallow dish filled with salt.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then mix in the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Vigorously shake the ingredients together until the shaker feels chilled, which should take around 15-20 seconds.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer into the salt-rimmed glass with ice.
- Add an optional lime wedge as garnish.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
You can serve this traditional version of the classic cocktail in either a rocks or margarita glass. Salt the rim and pop on a lime wedge as well. Enjoy!
Yes, you can combine the tequila, triple sec and lime juice together and store covered in your fridge for a few days before serving. Just shake individual portions over ice.
Each Margarita in this style is going to have around 228 calories, on average.
The late, legendary musician has been closely associated with the drink for decades, mainly due to his classic song “Margaritaville” and chain of restaurants with the same name. But the singer found the cocktail to be too sweet, and preferred his tequila on the rocks.
Margarita Variations
If you love Margaritas, or have only just discovered the simple joys of them, you’ve found the right place to do a little exploring. Twist & Toast will keep you and your friends supplied with a variety of styles that this classic cocktail has to offer. Frozen, blended or on-the-rocks, you’ll have more than enough options to choose from.
- Mezcal Margarita – Swap the tequila with the robust and smoky spirit for a more complex experience.
- Frozen Margarita – A cold must-have when you’re on vacation in a hot spot.
- The Tommy’s Margarita – Agave nectar makes this cocktail a delicious and memorable one.
- Spicy Margarita – Like its name suggests, this tipple is a hot and fiery one.
Leave a Comment