Classic Marg Recipe

Rim the glass

Run the lime wedge around the outer rim of a rocks or coupe glass (or the inside edge if you prefer). Spread the kosher salt on a small plate and press the moistened rim into the salt to coat. Tap gently to remove excess. Set the glass aside.

Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice (about 1 cup) if serving on the rocks. If serving up (no ice), do not add ice to the glass.

Measure and combine

Add 2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice, and 0.5 oz agave syrup into a cocktail shaker.

Add ice and shake

Add 6 ice cubes to the shaker, secure the lid, and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold and slightly frosty. This chills and dilutes the drink to balance flavors.

Strain and serve

Double-strain (use a Hawthorne strainer and, if available, a fine mesh strainer) into the prepared salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice for a rocks margarita. For a 'up' margarita, fine strain into the rimmed glass without ice.

Garnish with the reserved lime wedge on the rim or floated in the drink. If you used orange juice variant, twist an orange peel over the drink to express oils and optionally drop it in.

Taste and adjust: if the margarita is too tart, add a touch more agave (about 0.25 oz) and stir briefly. If too sweet, add a splash (0.25 oz) more lime juice and re-taste.

For a fruit margarita, add 0.5 oz fresh orange juice or 1–1.5 oz puréed fruit (strawberry, mango) to the shaker and proceed the same way. For a spicy version, muddle a few slices of jalapeño in the shaker before adding other ingredients and adjust heat to taste.