A Surprising Secret to Making a Superior Margarita From Scratch

Few things make a tequila aficionado happier on a hot day (or night) than an icy, acidic, salt-dusted traditional margarita. Name-brand margarita mixes with claims like “just add tequila!” decorate grocery and liquor store shelves. But, on the other hand, a margarita is more than simply tequila and a splash of bright yellow goodness.

The secret to a great margarita recipe is the juice. That means freshly squeezed lime juice and a dash of fresh orange juice (not bottled lime juice) (the true secret). Yes, it is correct. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange, not orange-flavored liquor, is the key to a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

Orange peels are macerated with sugar and alcohol to make Triple Sec, an orange-flavored liqueur. It’s a popular ingredient in margaritas. However, you won’t be able to adjust the sweetness or booziness of your drink if you use a sweetened liqueur like this one unless you add extra orange flavor or alcohol on top.

• Instead of using Tequila Triple Sec or anything similar, start with a combination of equal parts tequila and freshly squeezed lime juice, roughly 2 ounces each for a single dosage.
• Then, using simple syrup, add sweetness. Because its balanced sweetness doesn’t overpower the citrus and tequila notes, agave is a beautiful substitute for simple syrup in most foods, not just-drinks.
• Start with a tablespoon of sugar (you can always add more, but you can’t take it away), a splash (or two) of fresh orange or lemon juice, and plenty of ice cubes in each drink.
• Could you give it a thorough shake after that? Is this a drink that you made in a shaker? It’s alright if you didn’t; give it a confident stir. An alternative is to use a mason jar.
• If desired, run a lime wedge along the rim of a rock’s glass and dip it in coarse salt. Fill the margarita glass with ice and a salted rim, then pour your perfect customized margarita on top.
• Serve with a lime wedge on the side for squeezing.
• All you need now is a bag of limes, a few oranges, and a sunny spot to sip your drink.

Two classic tequila beverages come together in a drink that’s both sharp and sweet and nearly as beautiful as a sunrise. For this spectacular presentation, pour the grenadine into the bottom of your glasses, then slowly pour the tequila mixture on top.

• a fresh lime slice (optional)
• salt for margaritas (optional)
• 13 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Three teaspoons of liqueur orange
• three tablespoons of orange juice
• Two tablespoons tequila
• a third to a half-cup of powdered sugar
• Ice
• Three tablespoons of club soda (or lemon-lime soft drink)
• Two tablespoons grenadine

1. J&J Alcohol Delivery can deliver your favorite tequila!
2. Rub a lime slice over the rim of a chilled margarita glass, then dip in salt to coat.
3. Combine the lime juice, liqueur, orange juice, tequila, and powdered sugar in a cocktail shaker. Shake until the mixture is completely cool, then cover with a lid. Pour into a glass that has been prepared. For a bit of fizz, add club soda or a lemon-lime soft drink. Garnish with grenadine. Serve immediately.
4. 1/3 cup thawed frozen limeade concentrate may be used in place of fresh lime juice. Continue with the recipe as indicated, omitting the powdered sugar.
5. Enjoy!