The margarita you’ll make once and memorize forever.

I’m not here to tell you this is some revolutionary margarita recipe. It’s not. It’s a classic for a reason, and sometimes the classics deserve to be left alone.

Good tequila, fresh lime juice (please, I’m begging you… not the bottled stuff), a little orange liqueur, and just enough agave to make it your own. That’s it. No margarita mix. No unnecessary ingredients. Just a really, really good margarita that somehow tastes even better when you’re standing barefoot in the backyard while someone else is in charge of the grill.

I also firmly believe you should taste as you go. Some limes are tarter than others, some people like their margaritas sweeter, and recipes are meant to be a guide—not the boss of you. Start with less agave, give it a sip, and adjust until it’s exactly how you like it.

Whether you’re making taco night feel a little more festive, hosting friends on the patio, or simply celebrating the fact that it’s Tuesday, this classic margarita never lets me down. Salt the rim (or don’t), make a pitcher if people are coming over, and don’t forget the flaky salt in the cocktail itself. It sounds small, but it makes all the difference.

Ingredients

4 oz llanco tequila
3 oz fresh lime juice
1.5 oz Cointreau
.5 to 1 oz agave syrup (depends how sweet you like yours!)

Method

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker full of ice, and shake baby, shake!
pour into a glass that you’ve prepared however you like. I like mine rimmed with Tajin.
Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy!

Enjoy!

Cortney

Cortney LaCorte

Cortney LaCorte is the creator of CheeseGal, a food and entertaining blog born in her Nashville kitchen that celebrates cheese, charcuterie and joyful gatherings