House Ritas Recipe

Rim the glasses

Pour the coarse salt (and sugar if using) onto a small shallow plate. Run a lime wedge around the outside rim of each serving glass to moisten. Dip the rim into the salt (or salt/sugar mix) and twist to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside.

Juice the citrus

Juice fresh limes until you have 4 oz total and, if using, juice lemons for 0.5 oz. Strain seeds. Fresh juice is important for bright, balanced flavor.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker or a large mixing glass, combine 8 oz reposado tequila, 4 oz fresh lime juice, 2 oz orange liqueur, 1 oz agave nectar, and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice (if using).

Shake with ice

Fill the shaker with ice (about 2 cups of cubed ice). Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is very cold and slightly frosted. This chills and dilutes the cocktail to the correct balance.

Prepare serving glasses

Fill each rimmed serving glass with fresh ice (about 1/2 cup per single serving or 1 cup for larger rocks glass).

Strain and serve

Strain the shaken mixture evenly into the prepared glasses over the ice. If serving multiple (the recipe yields four 4-oz cocktails), pour approximately 4 oz per glass.

Garnish

Garnish each cocktail with a lime wheel and, if desired, an orange twist or wheel. Serve immediately.

To batch for a party, scale ingredients proportionally and keep the pre-mixed cocktail refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 24 hours. Do not add ice until ready to serve. Stir or gently shake the container before serving to re-incorporate. Add ice to glasses and strain as above.