Classic Margaritas Recipe

Make simple syrup (if not using store-bought)

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer to a jar and chill. (If you already have simple syrup, skip this step.)

Juice fresh limes until you have 1 cup of lime juice (about 8–10 medium limes). Juice fresh lemons until you have 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon). Strain juices through a fine mesh sieve into a measuring cup to remove pulp and seeds for a smoother cocktail.

In a small pitcher or mixing glass, combine 1 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup cooled simple syrup, and 1/4 cup orange liqueur. Stir until blended. This is the margarita mix — enough for multiple drinks. Chill briefly if not using immediately.

Pour the salt onto a small shallow plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each serving glass and dip the rim into the salt to coat. Set glasses aside.

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice (about 3–4 large ice cubes or ~6 cups loosely packed ice as listed). Add 1/4 cup of the prepared margarita mix and 1/4 cup orange liqueur (if you prefer a slightly stronger orange note; note the mix already contains orange liqueur — optional), then pour in 1/2 cup tequila per two servings (see scaling note below). For a single standard cocktail: combine 2 oz (60 ml) tequila, 1 oz (30 ml) margarita mix, and 1/2 oz (15 ml) orange liqueur in the shaker. Use the quantities in this recipe to make multiple servings.

For this recipe yield (see servings): to make one margarita in the proportions classic recipe (2:1:1 by volume), in the shaker add 2 parts tequila (60 ml), 1 part lime/lemon/simple syrup/orange mix (30 ml), and 1 part orange liqueur (30 ml). Add plenty of ice to the shaker (about 4–6 oz / ~1 cup), secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty and well-chilled.

Fill the prepared salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice (about 3–4 large cubes or crushed, per preference). Strain the shaken cocktail into the glass over the ice using a Hawthorne or fine strainer to catch shards of ice and small pulp bits.

Garnish each glass with a lime wheel or wedge on the rim. Serve immediately.

Scaling note: This recipe's ingredient amounts are sized to produce approximately 6 standard margaritas (see servings). To batch the drink: combine the margarita mix (prepared above) and tequila in a pitcher in a 1:2 ratio (mix:tequila). For example, for 6 drinks use 1 cup margarita mix + 2 cups tequila. Add orange liqueur to taste (about 1/2 cup if you want it pronounced). Keep chilled and add ice or shake individual servings before serving to avoid dilution.