Break out the blenders, shakers and limes — it’s time to celebrate National Margarita Day. The original recipe of tequila, triple sec and lime juice leaves plenty of room for interpretive mixology, and we’ve rounded up everything from wine-infused margaritas to margaritas with extra spice. Whether you prefer yours frozen or on the rocks, with tequila or with mezcal, these are our picks of the best margaritas to sip in honor of the beloved cocktail.
The Spicy One
Spicy Pinta-Rita
- 3 oz Clase Azul Plata Tequila
- 1 oz La Pinta pomegranate liqueur
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- 2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 jalapeno slice
- 1/2 oz sweet & sour mix
To create this spicy National Margarita Day cocktail, combine Clase Azul Plata Tequila, La Pinta pomegranate liqueur, orange liqueur and sweet & sour mix in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a margarita glass. Slice whole limes in half and squeeze lime juice through the jalapeno slice into each glass to achieve spiciness. Garnish with a lime wedge and floating pomegranate seeds.
Be sure to read our interview with Clase Azul CEO and founder, Arturo Lomeli, to learn more about the tequila’s Mexican heritage and unique bottle shape.
The Elevated One
The Grand Margarita
- 3/4 parts Grand Marnier
- 1.5 parts Espolòn Tequila
- 1/2 parts freshly squeezed lime juice
To create this elevated National Margarita Day cocktail, combine Grand Marnier, Espolòn Tequila and freshly squeezed lime juice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
The Tangy One
Mandarina Rosa Margarita
- 2 parts Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
- 2 parts freshly squeezed tangerine juice
- 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
- pink sea salt
To create this tangy National Margarita Day cocktail, combine Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila, tangerine juice and lime juice in a shaker. Shake and double strain into a coupe glass. Rim glass with pink sea salt. Garnish with a tangerine twist.
The Wine One
Salted Plum Margarita
- 1.5 oz Patrón Silver Tequila
- 1/2 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange liqueur
- 3/4 oz Umeshu plum wine
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp plum preserves
- 1 pinch salt
To create this wine-infused National Margarita Day cocktail, combine Patrón Silver Tequila, Patrón Citrónge Orange liqueur, Umeshu plum wine, fresh lemon juice, plum preserves and salt in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves, lime wheel and pickled plum. Recipe by Morita Masako from Osaka, Japan.
The Sweet One
Spicy Strawberry Margarita
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 2 oz Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila Blanco
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 strawberries
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
To create this sweet National Margarita Day cocktail, muddle strawberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add Cointreau, blanco tequila (we like Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila Blanco), fresh lime juice and bitters with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Rim glass with cinnamon sugar. Garnish with a strawberry.
The Classic One
Blanco Margarita
- 2 oz Código 1530 Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1.5 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz agave nectar
To create this classic National Margarita Day cocktail, combine Código 1530 Blanco Tequila, triple sec, lime juice and agave nectar in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Rim glass with salt. Garnish with a lime wedge.
The Smoky One
Trusted Friend Margarita
- 1.5 oz Kimo Sabe Joven Mezcal
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz agave nectar
- 2 slices serrano chili peppers
- Tajín seasoning
To create this smoky National Margarita Day cocktail, add Kimo Sabe Joven Mezcal, lime juice, lemon juice, agave and a pinch of Tajín to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a tumbler glass over ice. Rim glass with Tajín. Garnish with a lime wheel.
The Golden One
Golden Margarita at Le Chique at Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Mexico
- 1 oz triple sec
- 2 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz blanco tequila
- 3 oz orange juice
- 1/2 oz sugar
Coverage chocolate:
- 5 oz cacao butter
- 3.5 oz white chocolate
- 1/3 oz liposoluble golden dye
To create this golden National Margarita Day treat, mix ingredients with a globe beater. Strain and place the mix into a squeeze bottle, fill the spherical mold with a diameter of 2.5 cm. Let freeze for four hours. For the coverage chocolate, melt cacao butter for two minutes, add chocolate until it melts with the same temperature of the butter. Add the golden dye. Strain to avoid lumps or imperfections on the cover. Once the spheres are out of their mold, fit a fine skewer to cover the spheres with the chocolate. Wrap spheres with a sheet of gold paper completely. Let stand for four hours in the refrigerator. Served at Le Chique.
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