Margarita recipe: tequila, triple sec and fresh lime
A margarita combines tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice. This recipe uses the classic IBA quantities for one glass: 50 ml tequila, 20 ml triple sec and 15 ml lime juice. It is an alcoholic cocktail, not a mocktail. The recipe is based on the IBA version and has not been kitchen-tested by The Rub Kitchen.
Ingredients for one glass
- 50 ml tequila made from 100% agave
- 20 ml triple sec, an orange liqueur
- 15 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice cubes for the shaker
- Optional: a little salt and lime to moisten half the glass rim
Equipment
A cocktail shaker, measuring cup, cocktail strainer and chilled cocktail glass. Use clean equipment and food-safe drinking ice.
Margarita: step by step
- Prepare the glass. Chill the cocktail glass. For a salt rim, moisten only the outside of half the rim with lime and gently dip that part into a little salt. Leave the other half clear so you can also sip without salt.
- Measure the ingredients. Measure the tequila, triple sec and freshly squeezed lime juice and pour them into the shaker. Use a measure rather than free-pouring.
- Shake with ice. Add ice cubes, close the shaker securely and shake until the mixture is well chilled. Do not add a carbonated drink to this closed shaker.
- Strain and serve. Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass without adding the shaker ice. Serve straight away. Do not automatically add sugar or syrup: that changes this chosen basic ratio.
What should you consider when tasting?
Triple sec already adds a sweet citrus note. The flavour changes with the liqueur and lime you choose. Make the basic recipe before adjusting it to your preference. A version with agave syrup instead of triple sec is a different recipe variant, not the same margarita.
With ice in the glass or without?
This method follows the IBA basis: shake with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass without the shaker ice. If you make your own version over fresh ice cubes, remember that it will continue to dilute.
Margarita with a BBQ menu
Try the fresh citrus direction alongside a Tex-Mex-inspired dish. This is a flavour idea, not a fixed pairing rule. Alcohol does not automatically make spicy food milder. Offer water and an alcohol-free choice too, such as a virgin mojito.
Use the complete BBQ menu guide to choose food and the cocktail and mocktail overview for other drink ideas.
Recipe basis
The ratios are based on the official IBA recipe for Margarita. The explanation and menu ideas are written in our own words. No personal test results, preparation times or nutritional values have been added.