Margarita Recipe

Cocktail

1. 1

   Prepare glass

   Run a lime wedge around the outside rim of a chilled coupe or rocks glass (or margarita glass). Place coarse kosher salt on a small plate, then gently press the rim of the glass into the salt to coat about half to three-quarters of the rim. Set the glass aside.

2. 2

   Combine ingredients

   In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup if you prefer a slightly sweeter Margarita. Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice (approximately 1 cup).

3. 3

   Shake

   Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted. This dilutes and chills the drink appropriately.

4. 4

   Strain and serve

   Double-strain the cocktail (using the shaker's built-in strainer and optionally a fine mesh strainer) into the prepared glass. If serving on the rocks, fill the glass with fresh ice and then strain the cocktail over it; for a straight-up Margarita, strain into the glass without ice. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge on the rim.

5. 5

   Adjustments

   Taste and, if necessary, adjust balance: add 0.25–0.5 oz more simple syrup for sweeter, or 0.25 oz more lime juice for tarter. If you change quantities, shake briefly again with ice and re-strain.