Margarita Recipe: How to Make the Perfect Drink

What Is a Margarita Cocktail?

The Margarita cocktail is widely recognised in the United States and nearly all over the world. It has the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and salty, and is simply delicious.

For many, it evokes the taste of summer, holidays and fun. Whether you prefer it straight up, on the rocks or in a frozen version, the way to enjoy a Margarita drink depends on your preferences and mood.

Traditional Margarita Recipe vs. Signature Variations

From the traditional Margarita drink recipe with classic Margarita ingredients, such as tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, to our exclusive version with local honey, discover how to prepare Margaritas that satisfy your palate.

At Olmeca Altos, we teach you how to prepare the best versions of the Margarita mix. The best part? Margarita recipes are quite simple, which minimises the chances of making mistakes. If you want to enjoy a refreshing Margarita mix, here’s a perfect recipe you’ll love.

Tips for the Best Margarita Cocktail

Remember the simple 2-1-1 rule: 2 parts tequila, 1 part sweetener, and 1 part lime juice. This easy-to-remember ratio ensures you’ll never forget how to make the perfect Margarita cocktail, whether you’re mixing one drink or preparing a pitcher for mates.

What makes a homemade Margarita refreshing is the harmonious blend of sweet orange and bitter lime. An orange-flavoured triple liqueur, such as Cointreau, or a quality cognac, such as Grand Marnier, provide a sweetness that balances the lime juice beautifully.

You can also opt for a Mexican liqueur like Controy, agave syrup or another simple syrup of your choice as a sweetener.

Start by gathering your essential margarita tools: a bar mat to protect your workspace, a cocktail shaker for proper mixing, a citrus juicer and a jigger for accurate measurements. Having everything ready ensures a smooth preparation process.

There are several fruity versions of the original Margarita that add fruity flavours and aromas to this cocktail. Explore our complete margarita flavours article to discover exciting variations.

If you are looking for more options to keep discovering drinks, check out our best cocktail recipes.

How to Make a Margarita Pitcher (6 to 8 Servings)

Whether you’re hosting a rooftop party, a weekend barbecue, or just catching up with mates, a Margarita pitcher is the perfect way to bring people together.

Now that you know how to make a classic margarita, here’s how to craft a bold, refreshing batch that keeps the Olmeca Altos flavour front and centre, based on the previous ingredients:

• 480 ml / 8 parts of Olmeca Altos Plata tequila
• 240 ml / 4 parts of your favourite sweetener (triple sec, agave syrup, or local honey)
• 240 ml / 4 parts of lime juice

Stir all ingredients together in a large pitcher filled with ice. If you’re prepping ahead, mix everything but the ice and chill in the fridge.

Serve over fresh ice in salt-rimmed glasses and garnish with a lime wedge. It’s the easiest way to serve good vibes by the glass.

How Many Calories Are in a Traditional Margarita?

A homemade Margarita is a delicious drink, but like any coin there is always a double side. It’s important to keep in mind that alcohol is a carbohydrate with a high caloric content, with 7 calories per gramme.

When mixed with Margarita ingredients, such as triple sec and lime juice, a typical Margarita cocktail (approximately 77 grammes) can contain around 200 calories.

For a complete breakdown of nutritional values and healthier alternatives, check out our comprehensive margarita nutritional information guide. Olmeca Altos recommends you try the Skinny Margarita, a smart option for those who want to reduce calorie intake without sacrificing taste.

Food Pairings for the Original Tequila Margarita Recipe

From delicious appetisers such as shredded chicken and cheese flautas to fresh seafood dishes, these suggestions will make your Margarita cocktail the perfect companion for any occasion. If you are a meat lover, pulled pork tacos are an excellent option to accompany your classic Margarita.

On the other hand, if you prefer something lighter and fresher, seafood is a great choice. A prawn ceviche, fish tacos or even fresh oysters are ideal companions for a homemade Margarita. The acidity of the lime juice in the Margarita enhances the marine flavours and creates a refreshing harmony.

What Not to Do When Preparing Your Classic Margarita Cocktail

To prepare an authentic traditional margarita, it’s essential to begin with the proper glassware selection. Completely ditch plastic cups and opt for glass or ceramic instead, as you’ll achieve a much better taste.

If you serve your drinks in plastic cups, they will inevitably taste like plastic, which will completely ruin the experience.

In addition to the traditional margarita glass, you may also use a rocks glass or an old fashioned glass as appropriate alternatives. However, it’s important to avoid using “sombrero” glasses or martini glasses as serving vessels, since we are preparing the traditional recipe and should remain faithful to the original margarita glass.

Finally, do not use slushie machines for this drink. The syrups used in slushies often contain artificial flavours and colourings that will ruin the flavour of your traditional margarita recipe. Similarly, avoid using shot glasses, as they are not appropriate for serving this drink properly.

Olmeca Altos Top Shelf Margarita Recipe

Creating your own version of the famous Margarita mix has never been easier or more delicious. With just three simple ingredients, you can craft a refreshing cocktail that’s bursting with contrasts and will absolutely delight your senses.

What makes this Olmeca Altos version truly special is our innovative twist on the classic recipe: we’ve incorporated local honey and diced lime and lemon cubes.

In this unique recipe, we expertly combine the exceptional smoothness of 2 parts of Olmeca Altos Plata tequila with the bright acidity of fresh lemons and limes diced into small cubes – use a generous handful for maximum flavour impact. The mixture is then perfectly balanced with 2-3 tablespoons of local honey, which you can adjust to your personal taste preference.

The diced citrus cubes release their essential oils as you drink, creating an evolving flavour experience that sets this margarita apart from traditional versions, whilst the local honey provides a smooth, natural sweetness that complements the tequila’s character beautifully.

Ready to see this extraordinary Margarita recipe come to life? Watch our step-by-step video tutorial that demonstrates exactly how to make margaritas and discover the perfect technique for incorporating these distinctive ingredients.

Classic Margarita Origins

The iconic Margarita cocktail has captivated drinkers since the early 20th century, though the history of the Margarita and its exact place of invention remain fascinatingly controversial.

Multiple theories continue to be debated about the origin of the perfect Margarita mix, and it remains somewhat of an enigma exactly how or when this beloved drink came to be.

One widely accepted theory suggests that the drink has its roots in Jalisco, Mexico, with its invention attributed to Carlos “Danny” Herrera, who allegedly created it for a customer allergic to most spirits except tequila.

However, there’s another prominent narrative that places the Margarita’s origins in cocktail evolution rather than individual invention.

This theory relates that the Margarita drink actually evolved from the Daisy, a classic cocktail that was well-known at the time and featured a similar combination of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and a splash of soda.

Whether born from creative necessity in a Mexican cantina or developed as a natural progression from existing cocktail traditions, the Margarita has undeniably become one of the world’s most cherished mixed drinks.

To learn more about the fascinating stories and legends surrounding this iconic cocktail, explore our detailed history of margarita article.

 Why Choose Olmeca Altos Tequila for Your Margarita

Olmeca Altos Plata stands out as the ideal choice for crafting an exceptional Margarita cocktail, thanks to its unique production methods and flavour profile that perfectly complements the drink’s classic elements.

Olmeca Altos is crafted using traditional methods in the highlands of Jalisco, where the agave develops more complex flavours due to the higher altitude and volcanic soil.

This tequila origin results in natural sweetness and smoothness that provides the perfect foundation for any Margarita recipe. The 100% Blue Weber Agave used in Olmeca Altos undergoes a slow-cooking process in traditional brick ovens, followed by fermentation with natural yeast and double distillation in copper pot stills.

This artisanal approach creates a tequila with exceptional purity and character that enhances rather than masks the bright citrus and orange liqueur flavours in your cocktail.

The Margarita represents the perfect fusion of traditional Mexican cocktail culture and accessible home bartending. Whether you’re entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet evening at home, this classic cocktail delivers an unforgettable drinking experience that celebrates both quality and simplicity. Master these recipes, and you’ll have signature cocktails that are sure to impress at any gathering.