The 12 Best Margarita Recipes

Classic Margarita

Though the Margarita is one of the most riffed-on classics, everyone should know how to make the original recipe with blanco tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. This recipe also calls for the traditional salt rim, helping to make the agave, citrus, and orange liqueur flavors pop.

Because there are so few ingredients involved in the classic recipe, make sure to use quality tequila with 100% agave, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a well-crafted orange liqueur like Cointreau.

Pomegranate Margarita

This large-format Margarita variation is scaled up to serve eight and combines blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, pomegranate syrup, and orange bitters, with a striking black lava salt rim. 

Pomegranate syrup made with equal parts unsweetened pomegranate juice and granulated sugar, adds a distinctive tart flavor and pop of color to this ruby-hued Margarita. Leftover syrup can be used for a bigger batch of drinks or in other cocktail creations.

Cucumber Margarita

Cucumbers are a popular Margarita ingredient, (they are featured heavily in this gallery of drinks, by the way) and can lend an especially refreshing quality to an already toothsome thirst quencher.  The base of this especially summery take on the classic is a cucumber-infused tequila. The fresh, green vegetal notes of the cucumber complement the blanco tequila's earthy notes, and the slight bitterness and savory characteristics of the vegetable help to counterbalance the triple sec sweetness and tart lime flavors.

Pineapple Habanero Margarita

This tropical, peppery take on a spicy Margarita from celebrity chef and restauranteur Guy Fieri combines the standard trio of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice with a homemade pineapple habanero puree, orange juice, agave nectar, and ginger beer. 

A Tajín rim garnish lends both salt and complex seasoning to this “more is more” version.

Mumbai Margarita

Rose petals and rosewater make this fragrant Margarita both eye-catching and delicious. This aromatic, India-inspired Margarita variation is from Hemant Pathak, head mixologist at New York City's Michelin-starred Junoon.

Reposado tequila, freshly pureed mango, spicy rose syrup, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice are combined and served up with floating rose petals and a simple lime wedge garnish.

Margherita

At Italian-American, Michelin-starred restaurant Don Angie in New York City, creative director Bryan Schneider combines Finocchietto fennel liqueur with a reposado tequila and Calabrian chili-infused honey syrup for this Italian-inspired take on the Margarita. A touch of blood orange juice, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt rounds out this savory sipper with Sicilian roots.

Meyer Lemon Mezcal Margarita

This herbaceous mezcal Margarita was created by Top Chef fan favorite Brooke Williamson. 

A smoky mezcal gives this Margarita a savory kick, while Makrut lime leaves, freshly grated ginger, and bittersweet Meyer lemons add floral and tart notes to the drink Ground makrut lime leaf, sugar and salt are combined to create a sweet and savory rim, helping the earthy mezcal flavors to emerge.

Spicy Margarita

Looking to add spice to your traditional Margarita? Just add a jalepeño pepper to the mix. This recipe calls for the classic trio of blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur, with the addition of jalepeño coins for a pleasant kick of spice and vegetal flavors. Shaken over ice and then strained, the jalapeño's heat is sure to come through. Extra pepper coins serve double duty as a striking garnish.

Frozen Cucumber Margaritas with Chili-Sumac Salt

Top Chef judge Gail Simmons says her recipe for Frozen Cucumber Margaritas with Chili-Sumac Salt is an ode to the Mexican street snack fruta con chile y limón — little bags of sliced mango, cucumber, and jicama, usually sprinkled with Tajín, a spicy and sour snack seasoning.

The tequila, cucumber, and coconut water slushy creation is blended with cilantro and lime and garnished with chili powder, sumac, and a salt rim.

Mezcal Margarita

Mezcal takes the place of standard tequila and brings agave complexity to this classic Margarita recipe. This recipe calls for a combination of both Cointreau and Combier orange liqueurs for slightly more bittersweet orange peel flavors and floral notes. If Combier is unavailable, you can double the amount of Cointreau.

Sour Cherry Mezcal Margarita

This fruity spin on a Margarita combines smoky mezcal, citrusy Cointreau, and sweet-tart cherry puree in a vibrant red drink perfect for late-summer sipping. Bright, pleasantly tart sour cherries are in season for a limited window, so this simple roasted puree is an easy way to preserve their flavor. 

Blueberry Margarita

This strikingly vibrant Margarita variation includes aged tequila, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, fresh blueberries and orange bitters. The blueberries are first muddled in the shaker with lime juice and shaken with the rest of the ingredients to impart a purplish red color and a sweet berry taste and soft acidity.