Go pink with your Margarita! This cocktail is a sweet variation on your Mexican favorite, blending tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, with a splash of grenadine.
When Carlos “Danny” Herrera or Margarita Sames first concocted the Margarita (the jury is still out on who the responsible party is), did they ever imagine it would grow to such fame that it would inspire a pink version? What started out as a humble mix of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur has become a behemoth in the world of mixology and is an icon of Mexico.
The taste, however, isn’t for anyone, what with the lime’s tartness and that rim of salt. It’s one beverage that can actually make you thirstier by drinking it. That’s why God created grenadine. You may remember it as that special ingredient in a Shirley Temple you so savored as a child. These days, the syrup—derived from pomegranate—features in more adult fare, though it still gives the drinks a fun pink makeover. An example? A Pink Margarita, a sweeter version of the Mexican classic that may appeal to those who recoil from a sip of the original cocktail.
What’s the Difference Between a Daisy and a Margarita?
Did you know “margarita” means “daisy” in Spanish? If you did, then you won’t be shocked to learn there’s very little that separates the two cocktails. Both are made with citrus juice, an orange liqueur like triple sec, curacao, or Cointreau, and a sugar syrup. The biggest difference, however, is the base spirit. Margaritas are made with tequila while the daisy can be made with gin, bourbon, or rum. The latter can also feature grenadine, making it significantly sweeter than the margarita. In light of all this overlap, you can see why a Tequila Daisy can also be thought of as a Pink Margarita.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use to Make a Pink Margarita?
First, let’s discuss the tequila. While there are a few different kinds of tequila, I recommend a silver/blanco. It is young, which is a good thing. It means it hasn’t developed too distinct a flavor and so, won’t overpower the drink’s other ingredients. Other tequilas, like a reposado or anejo, have spent some time in oak barrels. Not only has this influenced its color (which you may want to avoid when making a pink drink), the agave will be more than noticeable.
As for the orange liqueur, the Pink Margarita is usually made with a triple sec, but if you want to elevate the quality of your drink, use a premium triple sec like Cointreau, or Grand Marnier, which mixes orange with Cognac.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz. silver tequila
- 1 oz. orange liqueur like Cointreau or triple sec
- 2 oz. lime Juice about 2 limes
- 1 tbsp organic agave syrup
- 1 tsp grenadine
- salt for the rim
- ice cubes
- lime wheel (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Take a lime wedge and slide it around the rim of your glass to moisten it. Spread a pinch of salt on a flat plate. Dip your glass rim into the salt.
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup, and grenadine.
- Shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds.
- Fill your prepped glass with fresh ice cubes. Strain the mixture into the glass. Garnish and enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Though it’s pink, this cocktail is still a margarita, so use a margarita glass. The wide mouth means more lip real estate, so there’s more room for the salted rim. If you don’t have a margarita glass, a rocks glass will suffice. As for garnish, use a lime wheel or wedge. You can also up the citrus by using a twist of lime.
If you have any leftover margarita, pour it into an airtight container (like a mason jar) and keep it in the fridge for no longer than a day. Alcoholic beverages aren’t really known for their shelf life. When you’re ready for more, shake it again and re-garnish your glass.
There are roughly 216 calories in this recipe for a Pink Margarita. As usual, it’s the alcoholic ingredients that make that number so high.
Sure. Salt is the traditional option for a margarita but seeing as how this is a sweeter version, you can play around with the rim. Use a sugar rim or a mix of the sugar and salt. Or if your favorite part of a margarita is the citrus, do up some lime zest and mix it in with the salt and/or sugar.
Sure, this Pink Margarita recipe scales well. You can first prep all your glasses by completing the rim. If you have the space, store them in your fridge to guarantee your drinks will be kept as cold as can be. As for the mix itself, add the ingredients to a large, sealable pitcher, keeping the ratio intact, then keep it in the fridge until your guests arrive. You can either stir the pitcher then pour into your prepped glasses or you can pour some into a shaker, shake it up for 20–30 seconds, then pour it into your prepped glasses.
Agave is preferred, given it’s where we get tequila from. So the taste is consistent with the rest of the cocktail. If you can’t find any agave syrup or want to try something different, you do have options. A common replacement for agave syrup is simple syrup, which you can make by gently boiling water and granulated sugar. Natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup can be used, though the taste will definitely be affected. If you want a sugar-free option, use stevia or monk-fruit sweetener.
Margarita Variations
Virgin Pink Margarita: Drop the tequila and the orange liqueur and replace with a mix of pink grapefruit and cranberry juices. Gone is the alcohol, still present is the tartness and beautiful rose color.
- Blue Margarita: Prefer a margarita of a different color? Use blue curacao and drop the grenadine.
- Frozen Mango Margarita: Ice cold (literally) and features the sweetness that is mango.
- Italian Margarita: A margarita with an Italian accent! Replace the orange liqueur with amaretto.
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