Mexican Margarita
San Francisco chef and tequila expert, Joanne Weir, makes a margarita at her Bay Area restaurant Copita that is known as one of the best in the region. She says — and I agree wholeheartedly — that the biggest mistake people make with their margaritas is that they use too many ingredients like Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, or Cointreau.
A perfect margarita has a balance of sweet and tart, and it just has three ingredients: 100% agave tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar. With a recipe this simple, there’s no hiding behind sub-par ingredients. Here’s how to make the perfect margarita.
Why You’ll Love It
- This is as pure margarita as you can make. Agave is in the spotlight by using tequila from agave and the sweetener from agave.
- You only need 3 ingredients. Leave the Triple Sec and Cointreau behind. This margarita is all about the tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar.
Key Ingredients in a Mexican Margarita
- Tequila: Look for 100% agave tequila blanco. Tequila blanco (also called silver tequila) is considered the purest form of tequila, as it’s typically bottled directly after distillation.
- Lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Agave nectar: Sweeten the margaritas with agave nectar or simple syrup.
- Kosher salt: Garnish the glass rim with kosher salt.
How to Make a Mexican Margarita
- Salt the glass rim. Before filling the glass with ice, moisten the rim with lime juice and dip it in a dish of kosher salt.
- Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake the tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, and water vigorously with ice.
- Strain and serve. Strain into a chilled rocks glass or coupe filled with ice. Garnish with the wheel of lime.
Helpful Swaps
- Use key limes. A tweak on Joanne’s recipe uses key limes. They are a major pain to juice, but worth the effort for its uniquely tart flavor.
- Use simple syrup. If you can’t find agave nectar, substitute it with simple syrup, which is made with equal parts granulated sugar and water.
Margarita Variations
Mexican Margarita Recipe
Serves 1
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 ounces
(1/4 cup) tequila
- 1 ounce
(2 tablespoons) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3/4 ounce
(1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons) agave nectar or 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Simple Syrup
- 3/4 ounce
(1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons) cold water
- 1
lime, sliced crosswise into wheels
- 1 tablespoon
kosher salt
Instructions
Before filling the glass with ice, moisten the rim with lime juice and dip it in a dish of kosher salt.
Shake 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, 3/4 ounce agave nectar, and 3/4 ounce cold water vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled rocks glass or coupe filled with ice. Garnish with the wheel of lime.