It’s Cinco de Mayo so let’s celebrate with a tried-and-true classic margarita recipe you can spice up or make fruity. Using the same basic recipe, you can make three different margaritas. For purists, make the classic margarita. To spice it up, muddle two jalapeño slices with the agave syrup. Like it a little sweeter? Make a fruity option by muddling a few blackberries with the syrup. It’s really that easy. So let’s get to the recipe.
Classic Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Silver Tequila (1/4 cup)
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice (1/8 cup)
- 1/2 oz Orange Liqueur (1 Tablespoon)
- 1/2 oz Agave Syrup (1 Tablespoon)
- Ice
- Lime Slices/Wedges for garnish
- Salt (optional, for rim)
- Tajin (optional, for rim)
Directions
In a cocktail shaker add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, agave syrup and ice. Shake until chilled (about 30 seconds). Pour over ice in a prepared glass. I like a salted rim or try Tajin for added kick.
Make It Spicy
This one ended up being my favorite. It’s amazing what a couple of jalapeño slices can do.
Use all the same ingredients as the Classic Margarita plus a jalapeño cut into rounds.
In a cocktail shaker muddle two jalapeño rounds with the agave syrup. Add ice, tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur and shake until chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain over ice in a prepared glass. This spicy margarita is good with a salty rim or use Tajin for an added kick. Garnish with a slice of lime and a few jalapeño rounds.
Make It Fruity
This option really depends on the sweetness of your berries so try experimenting by using more or fewer berries. I also left out the orange liqueur because that flavor seemed to overpower the berries, but others liked the orange liqueur so again—experiment to make it your own.
Use all the same ingredients as the Classic Margarita plus 3-5 fresh blackberries.
In a cocktail shaker muddle 3-5 blackberries with the agave syrup. Add ice, tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur and shake until chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain over ice in a prepared glass. This fruity margarita is good with a salty rim or use sugar sprinkles for those who like it sweeter. Garnish with a slice of lime and a few berries.
If hosting a party, set up a self-serve Margarita Bar. Put out all the fixings, including the blackberries, jalapeños and lime slices, and let guests help themselves.
So do you like it classic, spicy or fruity? I for one love spicy, but if you prefer sweet, be sure to check out my frozen Strawberry Mint Margaritas. They are a crowd pleaser. And with summer just a month away, I think having a good margarita recipe is essential for a good BBQ. Enjoy and happy Cinco de Mayo!
