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This classic margarita—with Triple Sec, naturally—hits that perfect sweet–sour–salty balance. Great with Tuesday night’s taco recipes or some casual summer patio sipping. Just five ingredients, and no mixology skills required.
Taco Tuesday is a weekly event in our house. I used to save the margaritas for restaurant nights, but honestly? I’ve wised up. This classic margarita recipe with Triple Sec is ridiculously easy to make at home—and it tastes so much better. No sugary, neon-sweet nonsense here.
And if margaritas are your thing (or tequila is your love language), you should absolutely try my watermelon sangria with prosecco. It’s impossibly refreshing.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s fresh—we aren’t relying on an over-sweetened mixer here. (That’s a surefire way to ruin a margarita, in my opinion.) Real lime juice makes all the difference.
- It’s easy to make—I’m no mixologist, so I appreciate a cocktail that’s easy to bring together. And this margarita recipe with Triple Sec is exactly that.
Classic Margarita Ingredients
Just five ingredients are necessary to make a wonderfully fresh and balanced margarita:
- Blanco tequila (Herradura Silver or Don Julio are my favorites)
- Triple Sec
- Fresh-squeezed lime juice
- Simple Syrup (see the Recipe Tips + Tricks below about making your own)
- Salt (I love using fine ground pink himalayan sea salt in this recipe)
How to Make the Best Classic Margarita
Step 1: Create a Salt Dish
Disperse the salt onto a small plate or into a shallow bowl big enough to fit the opening of the glass. This is where you will rim your glasses with salt.
Step 2: Rim the Glass With Salt
Slice a small cut into a lime wedge as if to prop it onto the edge of the glass, and slide it all around the rim to wet it. Then, press and roll the rim of the glass into the salt to get a nice salted rim going. Fill the glass with ice and set it aside.
Step 3: Shake Up the Cocktail
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add 2 oz of Tequila, 3/4 oz of Triple Sec, 3/4 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/4 oz of simple syrup. (More if you’d like it sweeter.) Pop the cover onto the shaker and give it all a good shake to mix it up.
Step 4: Serve
Pour the shaken margarita into a glass over ice. Garnish the glass with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Modifications
- Make it spicy: Muddle a slice or two of jalapeño into the bottom of your glass for a tasty kick.
- Make a big batch: If you’re making a big batch for a party, a blender is your best friend. Just pour in the amount of tequila, Triple Sec, simple syrup, and lime juice needed, depending on how many servings you want to make, add a small handful of ice, and blend until everything’s smooth and the ice disappears. We’re not going for a frozen margarita—just a little chill and dilution.
- Jarred lime juice: Juicing a mountain of limes gets old fast, so I usually go for a jar of organic lime juice. Your margaritas will still taste bright and fresh. Just skip the plastic bottles—they lean more towards “household cleaner” than citrus.
- Homemade simple syrup: You can make simple syrup yourself—just heat 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar on the stove, stirring until it dissolves. Let it cool before using, and keep it in the fridge for whenever you need it.
- Flavor variations: Switch it up if you’re feeling it. I love playing with seasonal juices, and a splash of pomegranate or apricot juice would be especially good in a margarita.
What to Serve With a Classic Margarita
Frequently Asked Questions
I like mixing 2 oz of tequila with 3/4 oz of Triple Sec, but you could up it to 1 oz if you prefer.
The tart lime juice and Triple Sec should blend into a bright, citrusy hit that lifts the tequila and brings out all its aromatic, slightly floral notes. The result is a smooth, balanced margarita that complements the tequila instead of competing with it.
I’ve balanced my recipe a little differently, but an easy way to remember a classic margarita is the 3-2-1 ratio—three parts tequila, two parts Triple Sec, and one part lime juice. You can play around with recipes to see what you like best.
Storage
If you make a large batch, store the mix in an airtight pitcher in the fridge for up to three days. Skip the ice until serving—it’ll just melt and water everything down.
Classic Margarita Recipe With Triple Sec
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila, I like Herradura Silver or Don Julio
- 3/4 oz orange liqueur, I use Triple Sec
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice, If you're making a large batch, snagging a jar of
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, for rimming and garnish
- Lime wedges, for rimming
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- Pour the salt onto a salt rimmer or small plate.
- Wet the rim of a glass by gliding a lime wedge over; set the lime wedge aside to use as a garnish.
- Roll the rim of the glass into the salt; set the glass aside.
- Pour the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker with some ice. Shake well, then poor the blend into the salt-rimmed glass. Garnish it with your lime wedge and add a pinch of pink himalayan salt into the drink. Enjoy!
DELISH, my new fave cocktail 💋🍋🟩
Yessssssss I’m so glad! She’s a dangerous one ;)