Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

The secret to the perfect margarita, we discovered, is to skip Cointreau/orange liqueur altogether and replace it with freshly squeezed orange juice. The difference is remarkable.

A frozen Margarita is only slightly different than a classic Margarita. A frozen Margarita contains tequila (or mezcal), freshly squeezed lime juice, triple sec liqueur, an optional sweetener (more about that in a minute), and about a cup of ice. That's considerably more ice/water than we'd find in a standard marg.

Combine tequila, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and ice in a blender. Blend until slushy consistency.

A blanco will offer the purest and freshest agave flavors in your co*cktail. As you get into the aged tequilas (reposado and añejo, not to mention extra añejo), the resulting Margarita will taste less fresh and zingy, but there will be an undeniable increase in the smoothness and richness of your drink.

Traditionally, orange has always been a classic pairing for any agave-based spirit, providing a sweeter complement without overpowering the notes of the agave. In Margaritas, the inclusion of triple sec provides a luscious, warm citric note that counterbalances the lime juice's high acidity.

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

Grand Marnier has a sweeter, richer, and smoother flavor with hints of vanilla, from the brandy, which a lot of people love. Both are great options for margaritas, so use the one you have on hand.

Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that is commonly used in margaritas. If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

The type of orange liqueur used: Triple sec contains fewer calories and less alcohol than other types of orange liqueur. Whether the margarita is frozen or on the rocks: A frozen margarita contains more calories and alcohol than a non-frozen margarita.

“If you don't add enough sugar to a frozen co*cktail it can end up watery,” says Jessica Stewart, bar manager at San Diego's Fort Oak. With a thicker consistency than simple syrup, agave nectar ensures this won't happen and also helps balance the overall profile of the drink.

Why are frozen margaritas better? ›

Frozen Margaritas Have More Texture

These tiny beads of ice don't just make your drink as cold as possible, they also add a nice bit of texture that many drinks lack. This lets you drink it slowly through a straw or quickly from the rim of the glass.

Cube ice will not dilute your co*cktail quickly, thus maintaining the balance and integrity of flavor in your margarita. For a more relaxed, casual margarita or the classic frozen variation, crushed ice is a great option.

You Don't Need Expensive Tequila For A Great Margarita, According To An Expert. Some may say the key to a delicious, mixologist-quality co*cktail at home is investing in top-shelf liquor.

Tequila should be consumed however the drinker prefers, but here are some guidelines: The colder a spirit is, the less of the spirit's complexities you can perceive. So serving it room temperature or slightly cooler allows you to really experience all of the flavors and aromas in the spirit.

Añejo Tequila

Compared to reposado, añejo are darker in color, more complex, richer, and smoother in flavor. Known as vintage tequila, the amber-colored spirit is typically considered the best type of tequila for sipping because of their smoother flavor.

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

The "Original Margarita" recipe, as given by Cointreau on their website, has slightly more of their own sweet liqueur: 1 part white tequila, 1⁄2 part Cointreau, and 1⁄2 part fresh squeezed lime juice.

Adding fruit like mango can add a lot more flavor to your margaritas. While a classic margarita with lime is certainly tasty, adding other fruits can kick your drinks up a notch. Simply blend diced mango chunks along with the rest of your margarita ingredients, then pour into a glass of ice.

Made with real lime juice concentrate, agave nectar and sea salt to deliver a unique mix of sweet, sour, salty and refreshing flavor in every sip.