The Ultimate Margarita
Great Tequila Recipes for Cinco de Mayo or Any Day
Mention margaritas, and thoughts turn to Cinco de Mayo celebrations or lazy afternoons under a patio umbrella. Good thoughts, and they deserve a good recipe.
The margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the world, and probably the most popular drink made with tequila. Aficionados can, and will, argue passionately over the origins of the beverage, and what constitutes the perfect proportions of tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice to make the ultimate margarita.
Who invented the margarita and when? Maybe it was invented at the Agua Caliente racetrack in the 30’s and named after a beautiful dancer, Margarita Cansino (later known to the world as Rita Hayworth). Maybe it was created in 1942 by a Juarez bartender, Francisco Morales, who, when asked for a drink he didn’t recognize, simply pretended and began throwing together ingredients. Was it invented in 1948 by a San Antonio socialite, Margarita Sames, or did Daniel Negrete create it as a wedding present for his sister-in-law, Margarita?
The truth will probably never be known, but it probably doesn’t make any difference. No matter who had the idea first, the margarita is well-established and now has any number of variations. Shaken or frozen, salt or no salt, or with almost any fruit you can imagine, we consume margaritas in abundance, accounting for a large portion of the five million cases of tequila sold in the United States each year.
The Ultimate Margarita Recipe
- 3 parts tequila
- 2 parts Cointreau
- 1 part fresh squeezed lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice, and shake to blend. Strain into a cocktail glass garnished with a salt rim (optional).
Who would have thought that a margarita was so simple? Forget the blender and the bottle of mixer – the tequila is the star. For the best results, use only 100% blue agave tequila, and go for a reposado, which is aged longer and will make a smoother drink than the silver or gold tequilas. Your taste buds will be amazed at the difference.
That said, sometimes what you need is a quick, cheap and easy recipe that is easy to make for a group. If you’re having a crowd over for your Cinco de Mayo party, who has time to stand around with a shaker? (Or the money to buy premium tequila for them all?) Never fear, you can still make a good margarita that will stand out from the blended slushy-look-alike at the local Mexican chain restaurant.
The Easy Everyday Margarita
- 1 can frozen limeade
- 1 can tequila
- 1.5 oz triple sec
- 3 1/3 cans cold water
- splash of fresh lime juice
Whisk all ingredients in a pitcher, and serve over ice in a cocktail or margarita glass. For frozen margaritas, substitute ice for the cold water and combine in a blender.
