Margaritas

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Citrusy and slightly sweet, these margaritas go down easy.

Line wedge with a margarita.

Citrusy and slightly sweet, these margaritas are a more refined version of the syrupy-sweet, fake tasting margaritas served at many bars and restaurants. They go down easy — in fact, whenever I make them for a party, I simply cannot keep up with the demand! The trick is to use a good quality, all-natural limeade, such as Newman’s Own. It’s easier than using an artificial margarita mix or frozen concentrate and so much better tasting. A little fresh lime juice is also a must. Salt on the rim of the glass is optional but I definitely recommend it — a little goes a long way in making all the sweet and sour flavors pop.

If you want to prepare a pitcher instead of making individual cocktails, simply adjust the quantities for the number of drinks you need. Mix the limeade, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a pitcher, keep cool, then pour into prepared glasses over ice when ready to serve.

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Margaritas

Citrusy and slightly sweet, these margaritas go down easy.

Servings: 1 drink
Total Time: 5 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces (½ cup) all-natural limeaid, such as Newman's Own
  • 1½ ounces (3 tablespoons or 1 shot) Tequila
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice, from ½ a lime
  • Lime slices, for garnish
  • Coarse salt for rimming the glass

Instructions

  1. Place coarse salt on a small plate. Rub rim of glass with lime wedge and dip in coarse salt if desired. Add ice to glass if using.
  2. Combine drink ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add some ice and shake vigorously, then strain into prepared glass. Garnish rim with lime slice.
  3. Note: If you want to prepare a pitcher instead of making individual cocktails, simply adjust the quantities for the number of drinks you need. Mix the limeade, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a pitcher, keep cool, then pour into prepared glasses over ice when ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (1 servings)
  • Calories: 210
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Sodium: 15 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

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Comments

  • I have a Margaritaville frozen margarita machine. I want to use this recipe for a party. Can I make up batches of this in advance and store it in gallon size freezer ziplocks? If so, how far in advance can I make this? Thanks!

    • — Laurie I on March 4, 2024
    • Reply
    • Sure, Laurie – you could easily freeze it for several months.

      • — Jenn on March 5, 2024
      • Reply
  • Muy Bien! Thanks for a nice, clean margarita recipe.

    • — Kathy M. on September 24, 2023
    • Reply
  • Thank you for such a simple but deliciously perfect Margarita! It was a hit for our Cinco de Mayo celebration!

    • — Elaine on May 5, 2023
    • Reply
  • Wonderful recipe as always from Jen!! I used the simply limeade (and cut the alcohol in half as that’s just my taste preference) and it was amazing! Made my husband’s drink using the exact measurements of the recipe and he was a fan too! Perfect recipe to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Pairs great with Jen’s guacamole!

  • I’ve never made a mixed drink before in my life–I’m a “wine person” but I occasionally enjoy a margarita. So I decided to make my own and chose this recipe and it was AWESOME! Thank you again Chef Jenn!

  • I usually use classic ingredients for margaritas but I needed to make 20 and that’s lots of fresh line juice. I could not get Newman’s brand limeade so I used Simply lime. I always trust Jenn’s recipes so I am writing this to alert others that I think Simply Lime in this recipe is not a good ingredient. It did not taste good. I am not rating the recipe because I did not make it as Jenn crafted it.

  • Love this recipe – I make it in a pitcher and it is loved by all – not to sweet – just sweet enough!

    • — Julia Lopresti
    • Reply
  • Perfect!

    • I love margaritas! And this recipe is a winner! I made it with tequila infused with serrano peppers. Perfect balance of sweet and sour. Instead of a salted rim, I like to sprinkle a little sea salt into the drink. I will be making this again! Thank You!!!

  • Hi Jenn …
    what kind of tequila do you recommend?

    • — Georgia Thompson
    • Reply
    • Hi Georgia, this is the one I generally use. Hope you enjoy the margaritas! 🙂

      • Hi Jenn:

        When reading your reply to Georgia on 7/4/20, I did not see your choice of tequila listed. I’d love to know as I’ve been wondering which ingredients would produce the best margarita. Great idea to use Newman’s Own Limeade. Thank you!

        • Sorry, Susan — I forgot to add the link! I use 1800 Silver tequila. 🙂

        • I cannot find Newman’s Own limeade sold anywhere near me. Could recommend others?

          • Hi Jackie, Simply Limeade would also work here. You can also make your own limeade. It’s just a combination of lime juice, sugar, and water. You could make it to taste or look for a recipe online. Hope that helps!

            • — Jenn
  • Delicious!! This is the perfect mix. I love that it’s not too sour. Your recipes amaze me 💚 Do you by chance know of a good Paloma recipe?

    • So glad you enjoyed these! 🙂 I don’t have a Paloma recipe of my own but this one from Epicurious looks good and gets positive reviews (please keep in mind that I haven’t tried it myself).

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