Margarita

By Rosie Schaap

Updated Nov. 18, 2025

Margarita
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
3 minutes
Rating
5(3,563)
Comments
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Tequila, lime, a touch of orange in the form of triple sec and salt (if that's your thing) is all you need to make a great margarita. No one really knows the true history of the cocktail — there are as many origin stories as there are variations of the beloved drink — but it's a practically perfect drink nonetheless. (Try a frozen margarita, too.) Discover more ideas for the holidays here.

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink
  • 2ounces blanco tequila
  • Juice of 1 whole lime
  • ½ounce triple sec, preferably Cointreau
  • Salt for rim (optional)
  • Lime wedge, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

186 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 1 gram protein; 340 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, lime juice and triple sec.

  2. Step 2

    Shake until combined.

  3. Step 3

    Pour, with the ice, into a highball or footed glass (salt rim first if you like). Garnish with wedge of lime.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
3,563 user ratings
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Comments

Colleen

What could be a more useless measure than the juice of one whole citrus of any type? I am a fan of 3:2:1 tequila:lime juice:Cointreau.

Gordeaux

From years of making margaritas, and after trying many recipes, these proportions work best:

1/2 c. tequila
1/3 c. Cointreau
1/4 c. lime juice

On ice or stained. Salt or not. I have had so many people say this is the best margarita they ever tasted. Thank you Rick Bayless.

John Niedermeyer

Like, how does this scale to be a pitcher of margarita(s?)? I need more volume, or else I won’t be able to attend to my guests.

Help me Rosie!

Susan

this recipe did not provide a very palatable drink. we tried it 3x, the "best" is a misnomer.

Deborah from Cortez.

I prefer a two-one-one ratio: 2 parts tequila, 1 part Cointreau and 1 part fresh lime juice. Forget sweet and sour. It taints the lime's tartness.

AHW

Cointreau and Triple Sec are not synonymous. Also as another commenter said any tequila will work, blanco, rioja or anejo will give a different flavor. The same with Cointreau bs Grand Marnier. My combo is 2oz tequila 1 oz lime juice and 3/4 to 1 oz Cointreau or Grand Marnier, no simple syrup ever. So refreshing for a hot San Antonio summer.

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