Ultimate Golden Margarita Recipe

Prepare glass

Run a lime wedge around the rim of a chilled rocks or margarita glass. Dip the rim into coarse salt placed on a small plate to coat. Set the glass aside.

Add 2 oz El Mayor Reposado tequila to a cocktail shaker.

Add 1 oz Cointreau to the shaker.

Pour in 1 oz fresh lime juice and 1 oz fresh orange juice.

Add 0.5 oz sour mix. If you prefer a slightly sweeter drink, add 0.25 oz simple syrup (optional).

Add ice to the shaker (enough to nearly fill it, roughly 1 cup).

Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted on the outside.

If serving on the rocks: fill the prepared glass with fresh ice and double-strain (or fine-strain) the shaken mix into the glass. If serving straight up: double-strain into the chilled, rimmed glass without ice. For a frozen version: instead of shaking, combine the cocktail ingredients with 1 cup crushed ice in a blender and blend until smooth; then pour into the prepared glass.

Carefully float 0.25 oz Grand Marnier on top: pour it slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the drink surface so it layers.

Garnish with the lime wedge and an orange wheel or twist placed on the rim or floated on the surface.

Serve immediately with a short straw or stirrer so the guest can incorporate the Grand Marnier floater if they wish.