Build over cubed ice and stir gently
Paloma
Peppery tequila, tart lime, and sparkling pink grapefruit.
Shake and fine strain into a half-salted coupe
Margarita
A sharp, balanced sour that teaches a confident shake and fine strain.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Glass
- Coupe
- Approx. ABV
- 24% · Medium-high
- Tradition
- Mexican–American
- Profile
- Sour · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
2 ozBlanco tequilaRecommended brandEspolòn Blanco
0.75 ozFresh lime juiceRecommended brandSunkist Persian Lime
0.75 ozOrange liqueurRecommended brandCointreau L’Unique
0.25 ozAgave syrupOptionalRecommended brandMonin Organic Agave Nectar
1 pinchKosher saltOptionalRecommended brandDiamond Crystal Kosher Salt
1 sliceLime wheelOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Persian Lime
Measured method · one drink
How to make Margarita
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Salt half the rim
1 pinch kosher salt
Moisten half the coupe rim with lime, then roll only that edge through 1 pinch kosher salt.
Salt half the rim visual check - 02
Measure the sour
2 oz tequila · ¾ oz lime · ¾ oz orange · ¼ oz agave
Add 2 oz blanco tequila, ¾ oz fresh lime juice, ¾ oz orange liqueur, and optionally ¼ oz agave syrup to the shaker.
Measure the sour visual check - 03
Shake hard
Shake · 12 sec
Fill with ice, seal the shaker, and shake hard for 12 seconds.
Shake hard visual check - 04
Fine strain
Fine strain
Fine strain into the prepared chilled coupe.
Fine strain visual check - 05
Add the lime
1 lime wheel
Set 1 lime wheel on the unsalted side of the rim.
Add the lime visual check
Fill with ice, seal the shaker, and shake hard for 12 seconds.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Taste before adding the optional agave
Technique note
Why this build works
The 2-ounce pour of blanco tequila gives this Margarita a clear agave foundation. Equal ¾-ounce measures of fresh lime and orange liqueur divide the sour and sweet-aromatic work instead of asking syrup to carry the balance. The optional ¼ ounce of agave is intentionally separate because lime acidity and liqueur sweetness vary. Shaking chills and dilutes the compact mixture; the timer is a starting guide, so also check that the shaker is cold and the mixture tastes integrated. Fine straining keeps small ice chips out of the coupe. Salting only half the rim lets each drinker control the seasoning sip by sip.
Common failure points
- The Margarita is too sweet before it reaches the salted rim.
- Leave out the optional agave until the shaken mixture has been tasted.
- Every sip tastes aggressively salty.
- Salt only half the rim and keep salt off the inside of the glass.
Measure or substitute
Reposado tequila can replace blanco ounce for ounce, but its oak character makes the drink rounder; triple sec may replace other orange liqueur at the same ¾-ounce measure, with sweetness checked before adding agave.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Cocktail shakerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom KORIKO Shaking Tins
Fine strainerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom COCO Mesh Cone
CoupeRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Blanco tequila
Orange liqueur
Know the pour
Medium-high
A compact tequila sour served without ice.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
