Justin’s Cocktails

Tequila

Justin's Margaritas

Spirit-Based · 2 servings · Serve: Lowball glass

tequilamargaritaclassic

Justin's Margaritas
StrengthGentle Boozy
TasteSweet Dry / Sour

This is my recipe… feel free to bastardize it if you must, but that's on you. Actually, on second thought, don't do that. Just drink wine or whisky if you don't want to follow instructions. This yields about two margaritas. I like my margaritas tart, so I use a lot of lime. The measurements are estimates. I don't use a jigger; instead, I pour based on "feeling" (meaning more will come out of the bottle depending on how the kids behaved that day). You could strain the shaker into glasses full of fresh ice when making drinks for multiple people. This can stretch one batch up to 3 drinks depending on how much ice is in each glass.

Ingredients

  • 4 oz fresh lime juice (from 2 medium/large limes)
  • 3.75 oz Hornitos Plata Tequila
  • 2.5 oz Cointreau
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  • Fine sea salt (for rim)(garnish)
  • Good size ice cubes

Directions

  1. Make sure the limes are at room temperature. Give them a semi-hard roll on the counter before slicing.
  2. Halve 2 limes and squeeze them into the shaker tin (put limes in squeezer flesh down, rind up).
  3. Take a used lime and run it over the edge of your lowball and salt the rim.
  4. Fill a shaker tin 3/4 with ice cubes.
  5. Add 3.75 ounces of silver tequila to the shaker tin.
  6. Add 2.5 ounces of Cointreau to the shaker tin.
  7. Add 0.5 ounces of simple syrup to the shaker tin.
  8. Cover the shaker tin and shake vigorously.
  9. Pour into lowball and enjoy.

Ingredient Quality Guide

Your drink can only be as good as the quality of your ingredients. So don't skimp out.

  • Limes: 2 medium or large limes. There is no substitute for fresh limes. If you don't have limes, don't make margaritas… or at least don't tell me about it. When shopping, look for limes that are slightly large, have a lighter green hue, and have a thin smooth skin; these will give you the best juice.
  • Tequila: Hornitos Plata Tequila. I like the crispness of the silver versus a reposado or anejo tequila. There are more expensive tequilas out there, but none match this flavor profile at this price point.
  • Orange Liqueur: Cointreau. No substitutes. Generic triple sec will be a disappointment.
  • Simple Syrup: I make my own using 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water that I almost bring to boil in a pot until it is clear. I suggest buying this pre-made one and refilling with homemade when empty.
  • Salt: Fine sea salt for a nice salted rim.
  • Ice: Good-sized ice cubes. Small ones dilute the drink too fast.

Equipment

  • Citrus squeezer - freshly squeezed lime makes the biggest difference
  • Shaker tin
  • Knife - I know, I know, you already have a knife… I just love this one
  • Salt rimmer - you could just use a plate, but we both know this drink deserves better than that.
  • Glass lowball - I always use the same glass; one I stole from a bar in Lake Como '#humblebrag

Goes well with

Making this for people? Print this page — it strips down to just the recipe.