House Margarita Recipe

Prepare glass rims

Pour 2 teaspoons kosher salt (and optional 1 teaspoon coarse sugar or Tajín) onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each serving glass, then dip the rim into the salt mixture to coat evenly. Set glasses aside to dry while you make the cocktail mix.

Combine citrus and sweetener

In a measuring cup or small pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup agave nectar (or simple syrup), and 1/4 cup cold water. Whisk or stir until the agave is fully incorporated.

Add orange liqueur

Stir in 1/2 cup triple sec or Cointreau into the citrus-sweetener mixture until uniform. This is your house margarita mix base.

Optional chill

If not serving immediately, chill the mix in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes. The mix will keep for up to 48 hours refrigerated.

Combine with tequila

In a large pitcher, combine the prepared margarita mix with 2 cups blanco tequila and 1/2 cup reposado tequila (optional). Stir gently to combine.

Serve on the rocks

Fill each rimmed serving glass with generous ice (about 1 cup ice per glass). Pour approximately 8 ounces (about 1 1/3 cups) of the combined margarita mixture into each glass. Garnish each with a lime wheel or wedge on the rim.

Alternative: Shake individual cocktails

For a brighter, more aerated cocktail, fill a shaker with ice, add 3 ounces of the margarita mix and 3/4 ounce blanco tequila (or 1.25 oz if not using pitcher measures), shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds, then strain into a rimmed glass over fresh ice and garnish with lime.

Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste by adding more agave (1 tablespoon increments) or lime juice (1 tablespoon increments). Use 100% agave tequila for a cleaner flavor. For a frozen version, blend the pitcher mixture with 6 cups of ice until smooth.