Easy 3 Ingredient Margarita Recipe (A Classic Margarita)
Make this easy 3 ingredient margarita recipe next time you want the perfect refreshing cocktail! With just three simple ingredients and a 2-1-1 ratio, you’ll be sipping on a tangy tequila drink that will is sure to be your new fave. This foolproof classic margarita recipe will make you the hit of happy hour.
Why This is the Best Margarita Recipe
This easy margarita recipe is our favorite cocktail and what we base all of our margaritas on. Our 3 ingredient margarita recipe is a tried and true classic that captures the essence of our beloved cocktail.
By sticking to the 2-1-1 ratio of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, you’ll achieve the perfect balance between sweet, sour, and boozy goodness.
This simple recipe gives you a great margarita every single time. Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, an orange liqueur (Triple Sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier all work) and salted rim, give you the best margaritas in minutes.
Related: Simple Spicy Margarita
Making homemade margaritas is so easy. All you need are a few essential tools: a cocktail shaker (or a mason jar if you don’t have a shaker), a jigger for accurate measurements, and a citrus juicer.
Pair this refreshing classic cocktail with spicy dishes, citrusy seafood and grilled meats for your next gathering. Serve margaritas any time you want a delicious tequila cocktail.
Serve this classic margarita at any party or when hosting a Cinco de Mayo gathering (use these fun Cinco de Mayo printable decorations!)
Ingredients
- tequila (100% agave for the best quality and flavor)
- freshly squeezed lime juice (about one large lime)
- orange liqueur (such as Triple Sec or Cointreau)
- Ice (crushed or cubed)
- Lime wedges (for garnish and the salt rim)
- Kosher salt, fine sea salt or margarita salt (for rimming the glass)
The best tequila for a great margarita is one you already have. We prefer blanco tequila (sometimes called silver tequila) but you can also use reposado tequila which adds a little bit more tequila flavor and stands up well when using additional flavors.
We used Don Julio tequila. It gave the margarita a classic flavor that was tequila-forward without being overbearing.
For the proper margarita flavor I think you MUST use fresh lime juice. But in a pinch, you can use bottled lime juice from the grocery store. But try to use fresh whenever possible, it’s the best part of the drink!
A sweet orange liqueur helps to balance the flavor of a traditional margarita. It has a slight orange flavor and is sweet. If you are trying to make the drink a little bit healthier you may want to skip this and use orange juice instead. But if you are looking for a simple margarita recipe, make it with the orange liqueur.
Triple Sec and Cointreau are great options. Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur with cognac added making it delicious but a little heavier than other options. It’s typically not used in a classic margarita recipe.
Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the complete recipe.
How to Make a 2-1-1 Margarita
The 2-1-1 ratio is the best recipe to make a classic margarita. It means you use 2 parts of tequila and 1 part each of lime juice and orange liqueur. Not only does this keep it balanced and delicious, but it means you can easily remember the recipe and make these fast any time and any where.
Rim the margarita glass
To add salt to the rim of the glass, take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim in salt to create a tangy and salty contrast to the drink’s flavors.
For more detailed instruction plus troubleshooting, visit our other post: How to Properly Salt a Margarita Glass.
Step 1
Fill your cocktail shaker with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
Step 2
Add the ice cubes. Put on the lid or other piece of the Boston shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, allowing the ingredients to meld together and chill.
Step 3
Using a Hawthorne strainer or built-in strainer from the cocktail shaker, pour the margarita into your salt-rimmed margarita glass filled with ice. (We added the ice after for some reason, but you should do it before).
Garnish with a wedge of lime to add a touch of freshness and visual appeal.
Serve your classic lime margarita immediately.
IMPORTANT: We didn’t serve this recipe over ice for some reason but that is how we prefer to drink them. Without the ice, the glass was only half full. We suggest serving all margaritas on the rocks!
Tips
- Use fresh lime juice for the best vibrant taste.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a dash of simple syrup or agave nectar if you need it. Limes can sometimes be really tart.
- Experiment with different tequila varieties to find your favorite flavor profile. Aged tequila (like reposado or anejo) will give you a little bit of a different flavor.
- This recipe makes a classic margarita on the rocks. If you prefer a frozen margarita, put all the ingredients and ice in a blender and mix until smooth and slushy.
- Using the 2-1-1 ratio makes it super simple to take this basic recipe and scale up for a crowd. Just adjust the amounts, keeping in the 2-1-1 ratio to easily make a pitcher of margaritas. For example, use 2 cups of tequila, 1 cup of lime juice and 1 cup of orange liqueur to make a pitcher.
Variations to Try
Frequently Asked Questions
While fresh lime juice is highly recommended for the best flavor, bottled lime juice can be used in a pinch. Consider this an emergency situation like you have guests coming over and can’t get to the store for fresh limes. Fresh is SO much better.
Absolutely! Simply replace the tequila with a non-alcoholic alternative, or lemon-lime soda or a mix of lime juice and sparkling water.
Yes! If you’re looking for a different twist, try using flavored liqueurs like elderflower liqueur or raspberry liqueur. This will add the sweetness and also another layer of flavor.
We always suggest using a good-quality tequila but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Use your favorite tequila and you’ll always enjoy the flavor. Suzy thinks all tequila makes a tasty drink. I like El Tesoro and Cazadores if you aren’t sure what to get.
Now that you have the ultimate classic 3 ingredient margarita recipe up your sleeve, it’s time to gather your friends, shake up some cocktails, and raise a glass to good times and great company.
More Margarita Posts
Classic 3-Ingredient Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Tequila Blanco
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. orange liqueur
- lime wedge for salt rim and garnish
- Kosher or fine sea salt for glass rim
Instructions
- Add salt to the rim the glass: Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of your glass. Dip the wet rim in salt to create a tangy and salty contrast to the drink's flavors.
- Fill your cocktail shaker with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
- Add the ice cubes. Put on the lid or other piece of the Boston shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, allowing the ingredients to meld together and chill.
- Using a hawthorne strainer or built-in strainer from the cocktail shaker, pour the margarita into your salt-rimmed margarita glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
-
- Use fresh lime juice for the best vibrant taste.
-
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a dash of simple syrup or agave nectar if you need it. Limes can sometimes be really tart.
-
- Experiment with different tequila varieties to find your favorite flavor profile. Aged tequila (like reposado or anejo) will give you a little bit of a different flavor.
-
- This recipe makes a classic margarita on the rocks. If you prefer a frozen margarita, put all the ingredients and ice in a blender and mix until smooth and slushy.
-
- Using the 2-1-1 ratio makes it super simple to take this basic recipe and scale up for a crowd. Just adjust the amounts, keeping in the 2-1-1 ratio to easily make a pitcher of margaritas. For example, use 2 cups of tequila, 1 cup of lime juice and 1 cup of orange liqueur to make a pitcher.
