Classic Margarita Recipe
Cuidado tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, triple sec, topped with soda
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Garnish & Prep
Method
Cocktail
Rim the glass
Run the lime wedge around the outside lip of a rocks or coupe glass. Pour the coarse salt onto a small plate and press the moistened rim into the salt to coat about half to three-quarters of the rim. Set the glass aside.
Build the drink
In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.75 oz triple sec, and 0.5 oz agave syrup. Add a generous handful of ice (about 1 cup) to the shaker.
Shake
Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted.
Strain and top
Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice if desired. Double-strain the shaken cocktail into the glass (or single strain if you prefer more dilution). Top the drink with 1.5 oz soda water to give a light effervescence. Gently stir once with a bar spoon to integrate the soda without losing carbonation.
Garnish
Express a lime peel over the drink if you like, then drop the used lime wedge or a fresh wheel onto the rim as garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
Adjust sweetness: increase agave by 0.25–0.5 oz for a sweeter cocktail or reduce slightly for a tarter profile. Use freshly squeezed lime for best flavor. If you prefer no salt, skip the rimming step and garnish with lime only.