Oh, margaritas. Are they the best dang cocktail on the market? Yes, they are very much in the running.
Paired perfectly with taco Tuesdays, island vacations, Saturday backyard parties and nights out with your besties, there’s not many scenarios that a margarita won’t elevate.
See also: How To Make The Chainsmokers' Favorite Margaritas
Traditionally made with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, the margarita is something that can be cooked up with the most basic bar ingredients, but why stop at basic?
If you’re hosting a get together at home or just want to spice up your life with a tastier take on the tequila classic, these delicious and varied margarita recipes from some top tequila makers in the business are sure to step your game up. There’s even one with mezcal! Find your new favorite below.
This “elevated” recipe comes from Avión Tequila, mixing its top-shelf Reserva 44 with delightful lemon, saffron syrup and a vanilla pod garnish for a complex and exciting flavor.
Ingredients:
Directions: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake to chill, and double strain into a chilled coupette glass. Garnish with a pod of vanilla.
This recipe from El Tequileño Tequila blends floral hibiscus with the bright tartness of lemon, balanced with agave syrup for a sip that keeps you coming back for more.
Ingredients:
Directions: Add all ingredients to a shaker over cubed ice. Shake until ice cold. Strain into a rocks glass over cubed ice and garnish with hibiscus flowers and a dehydrated lime wheel.
You’ve certainly never tried a margarita like this! Turmeric is one of the healthiest spices you can incorporate into your diet, so why not sip your immune-boosting vitamins while enjoying a light buzz? Hat tip to Astral Tequila for this thoughtful recipe.
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake well. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice, and garnish with a pinch of turmeric powder.
If you enjoy the tart taste of grapefruit, this recipe from 1800 Tequila uses the flavorful fruit as a thoughtful mix against its bright blanco expression. A bit of lemon, vanilla syrup and rose water balances out this alluring profile.
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a salt rim and dried rose petals.
From the fine folks at Mezcal Campante, this rather classic margarita recipe comes to life with the deeper flavors of mezcal. If you haven’t given the tequila cousin a try yet, consider this your sign from the universe!
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine the Mezcal Campante, triple sec liqueur and lime juice in a shaker. Add ice, and shake. Leave to chill, as you prepare the glasses. Pour salt on a plate. Run a wedge of lime along the edge of the glass. Place the glass upside down into the salt, allowing the salt to coat the rim of the glass. Fill the glass with ice, and pour the mixture over the ice. Add a wedge of lime for garnish!
Have you ever had a margarita with red wine mixed in? Leave that to the devious minds of Volcán Tequila, who bless us with this devilish treat that needs to be sipped to be believed.
Ingredients:
Directions: Pour tequila, lime juice and simple syrup into a shaker filled with ice, and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass and slowly pour the red wine into the drink using a bar spoon.
Talk about refreshing! This summer-ready margarita recipe from Patrón is light while packing a punch, so keep in mind that you’ll keep coming back for more and party responsibly.
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and shake with ice to chill. Strain onto fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with a basil leaf and wedge of watermelon, or dehydrated lime wheel.
Now that you’re set with the best margaritas in town, up your game by learning the ins and outs of tequila across the board with this guide to being a tequila connoisseur from Maestro Dobel’s master distiller.
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Photography by: Courtesy of Avión Tequila; Courtesy of El Tequileño Tequila; Courtesy of Astral Tequila; Courtesy of 1800 Tequila; Courtesy of Mezcal Campante; Courtesy of Volcán Tequila; Courtesy of Patrón
