Mariela´s Margarita Recipe

Prepare the glass

If you want a salted rim, take a rocks or coupe glass and run a lime wedge around the outer rim to moisten it.

Pour coarse kosher salt, smoked sea salt or Tajín onto a small plate. Invert the moistened glass and roll the rim in the salt mixture until evenly coated. Set the glass aside.

Measure and combine

Into a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice (if using), 0.5 oz orange liqueur, and 0.5 oz zero-calorie sweetener simple syrup.

Add ice

Fill the shaker with a generous handful of ice (about 1 cup cubed) to chill and slightly dilute the drink.

Shake

Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.

Strain and serve

If you rimmed the glass, strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over fresh ice (or serve neat in a chilled coupe). If you didn't rim, strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Optionally, pour over one large ice cube for slower dilution.

Garnish

Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge on the rim. If you used grapefruit juice, consider adding a thin grapefruit twist for color.

Taste and adjust (optional): If you prefer a touch sweeter, add 1/4 oz more zero-calorie syrup and stir gently; if brighter, add a few drops more lime.