Sep 02 2026
RestaurantsRiver Oak ChophouseHouse Margarita Recipe

House Margarita Recipe

Time8m
Serves1

el Jimador Tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, Cointreau, blue agave syrup. Add Rosemary, Strawberry, Prickly Pear, Blueberry, Mango +1

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Ingredients

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Base Margarita

Optional Flavor Add-ins (choose one +1)

Optional Finishers (for herb-forward / fruit-forward variations)

Method

Glass Prep & Salt Rim

  1. 1

    If salting the rim: rub the lime wedge around the outer rim of a rocks or coupe glass, then dip the rim into a shallow plate of coarse salt so it adheres evenly. Fill the glass with 3–4 cubes of fresh ice and set aside.

Classic Margarita Build

  1. 2

    Measure & Add Base

    Into a cocktail shaker add 2 oz el Jimador tequila, 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice, 0.75 oz Cointreau, and 0.5 oz blue agave syrup.

  2. 3

    Add Ice & Shake

    Add 5–6 ice cubes to the shaker. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch and well-chilled (this also dilutes the drink appropriately).

  3. 4

    Strain

    Double-strain (using a Hawthorne or fine mesh strainer) into the prepared glass over fresh ice if serving on the rocks, or into a chilled coupe if serving up.

Optional Flavor Variations (+ choose one)

  1. 5

    Rosemary (herbal)

    Bruise 1 rosemary sprig by gently clap or press it between your palms to release oils. Add the bruised sprig to the shaker with the base ingredients before adding ice and shake once to incorporate. Optionally, substitute 0.25 oz of blue agave with 0.25 oz rosemary simple syrup for a stronger herbal-sweet note. Garnish with the bruised rosemary sprig.

  2. 6

    Strawberry (fresh)

    Muddle 3 hulled strawberries in the shaker before adding the base ingredients. After muddling, add the measured tequila, lime, Cointreau, and agave, then add ice and shake vigorously. Fine-strain into the glass to remove seeds and pulp. Garnish with a thin strawberry slice or a lime wheel.

  3. 7

    Prickly Pear (cactus fruit)

    Add 1 oz prickly pear purée to the shaker with the base ingredients. If using homemade purée, strain it to remove seeds first. Shake with ice and double-strain into the glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or a small wedge of prickly pear if available.

  4. 8

    Blueberry

    Muddle 8–10 fresh blueberries in the shaker until broken down. Add the base ingredients, then ice, and shake well. Double-strain to remove skins and seeds. Garnish with a few blueberries on a pick or a lime wheel.

  5. 9

    Mango (tropical)

    Add 1 oz mango purée to the shaker with the base ingredients. Shake with ice and double-strain into the glass. Garnish with a small mango wedge or a lime wheel.

Final Touches

  1. 10

    Taste and adjust: if the cocktail is too tart, add up to 0.25 oz more agave syrup; if too sweet, add 0.25 oz more lime juice. For herb-forward versions, express the rosemary or lime zest over the drink by giving it a gentle twist above the glass to release aromatic oils, then drop garnish in.

  2. 11

    Serve immediately with a short straw or cocktail pick for garnishes. Enjoy.

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