No mixologist required for this easy recipe of your favourite cocktail. Grab your shaker and spice up your next cocktail hour with the classic combination of lime, salt, tequila and triple sec.

What you need to know before you start

This speedy cocktail comes together in just 5 minutes. You’ll need a cocktail shaker, a measuring cup, a plate for the salt, a knife to cut the limes and your favourite glasses to serve. This recipe makes one drink, so scale up the ingredients and the number of glasses, depending on how many you want to prepare. You’ll also need ice. 

Why is this the best margarita recipe?

This no-fuss margarita recipe is the perfect cocktail for taco Tuesdays, your Friday night drinks at home or Sunday session on a balmy afternoon. It’s also a great way to flex your mixologist skills, as this recipe requires you to use a cocktail shaker.

Like any good margarita, this recipe combines the flavours of tart lime and punchy tequila with the bitter and sweet orange notes of the Cointreau and a savoury kick from the salt rim. It’s served chilled for the ultimate adults-only cocktail. 

Why does my margarita taste bitter?

An unpleasantly bitter margarita can be the result of using bad limes. Limes that have passed their freshness or aren’t juicy tend to be more bitter in flavour. Look for bright, heavy limes with a shiny skin free from blemishes. You can also add a simple syrup (combining sugar with water) to fix a bitter margarita. 

What ingredients you’ll need

Lime: The juice of the lime is added to the margarita for a tart brightness, while wedges are used to garnish the drink. 

Tequila: Tequila is the main alcohol used in a margarita. It has a smooth, sweet and fruity flavour that pairs well with the tartness from the limes.

Cointreau: The bitter sweet orange aroma of Cointreau brings acidity and sweetness to the drink. You can also use triple sec.

Salt flakes: Salt is used around the rim of the glass to add a savoury depth. 

How do you shake a cocktail shaker?

Using a cocktail shaker requires a bit of patience and a steady grip. Fill your shaker with ice and the margarita ingredients. Secure the lid to create a tight seal, ensuring it doesn’t leak. Hold the shaker in both hands and shake vigorously in a horizontal motion for roughly 1 minute, or until the shaker becomes cold. Strain into your favourite glass, discarding the ice. 

How to serve a margarita

Serve your cocktail in a classic margarita glass, a rocks glass or even a coupe for a more refined look. Don’t forget to add the salt rim and pair it with a lime wedge. If you’re making multiple drinks, set up a cocktail-making station in your kitchen so guests can assist with salting the rims of glasses and any garnishes. 

Opt for finger foods and party snacks to serve alongside your margarita when guests are over, such as pumpkin and feta bites, sour cherry and macadamia stuffing balls or cheesy bacon and mushroom garlic bread. 

If you love our margarita recipe, try this 

Love a marg? Get creative an try your hand at this fun twists on a classic:

• Spicy margarita cocktail
• Strawberry margarita 
• Frozen margarita cocktail