The margarita classic cocktail is one of the easiest to make, and make well. It is a delicious cocktail that so many people love. I made a few margarita while making my chicken enchiladas. It is perfect on a summer’s day or with a variety of foods.

The classic margarita has only 3 simple ingredients:

• 1 ounce tequila
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce lime juice

You can play with the proportions to suit your taste. A friend of mine really likes his margarita with 1-1/2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of cointreau, and 3/4 ounce of lime juice. Try it and make a house recipe.

There are a few keys to a good margarita. First, your tequila must be 100% agave. On top of that I prefer a Reposado or Anejo tequila. These are aged tequilas and I think they offer a great flavor. Secondly, do not even consider using triple sec or some other mix. The only other spirit in a classic margarita aside from tequila is Cointreau. This is a French orange liqueur and is absolutely delicious. Thirdly, the lime juice must be fresh. No canned stuff here. See, it is all quite simple.

Ingredients for the classic Margarita

Measure your ingredients using a jigger into a mixing glass. You must measure as even the most experienced bartenders measure for quality classic cocktails. There is no other way to get a consistent and well-balanced classic cocktail. Also, add the spirits and juice into an empty mixing glass. Don’t add the ice first and pour the spirits over the top. The ice will only water-down your spirits as you pour in the rest of the ingredients. Once you have all three ingredients in your mixing glass, then add the ice.

Iced margarita ingredients

As I have mentioned before, the size of your ice cube is also very critical to the good outcome of a classic cocktail. Notice how large these cubes are. The larger the cube, the longer it will take to melt. Thus, you will have less watering-down of your wonderful cocktail. I use only cubes made in my Tovolo perfect cube silicone ice cube trays. Indeed, they take about 8-hours to freeze; however, they are wonderfully solid and large and also take a long time to melt. I love these cubes not only for making classic cocktails but also for iced tea, soda, or just plain iced water.

Once you have lots of ice added to your mixing glass, slap on a 28-ounce Boston shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. The 28-ounce shakers fit perfectly on a standard pint/mixing glass.

Strain the margarita with a Hawthorne strainer into a chilled cocktail glass.

If you want a salt rim as a garnish, before you strain, you can rub a bit of the lime on the outside of the rim and then roll the glass in salt so only the outside gets coated. Then wipe out the inside of the rim so no salt is in there. Salt on the inside of the rim only salts the drink whereas on the outside it is a great garnish and can be enjoyed by the drinker at any rate they wish. I like to use a coarse salt.

Rim only the outside of the glass with the lime

Rimming the outside of a cocktail glass with salt for a margarita

Cocktail glass rimmed on the outside with salt for a margarita

Margarita ready to be poured from a 28-oz Boston Shaker through a Hawthorne strainer.

Pouring margarita through Hawthorne strainer

Margarita Classic Cocktail