DrinkMasters Collection
$3.14
cost
224
cal
26.7%
ABV
4/5
NA score
1.8
std drinks
12.6g
sugar
Margarita
Mexico's gift to the cocktail world
The Recipe
- Blanco Tequila60 ml
- Fresh lime juice30 ml
- Cointreau20 ml
- Agave nectar10 ml
Glass
Rocks glass
Garnish
Lime wheel and half salt rim
Difficulty
Easy
Origin
Tijuana, Mexico (1938)
Flavor Profile
The Story
The Margarita's origin is claimed by at least half a dozen people. The most romantic version credits Carlos "Danny" Herrera, who created it at Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana for a customer who was allergic to all spirits except tequila but found it too harsh to drink straight. He softened it with lime and Cointreau, and a legend was born.
Bartender Notes
"Use 100% agave tequila — mixto has no place here. The salt rim should be half the glass only, giving your guest the choice. Fresh lime, always."
Preparation
- 1Run a lime wedge around half the rim of a rocks glass and dip in flaky salt.
- 2Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- 3Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds.
- 4Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
Notable Variations
- Tommy's Margarita (agave syrup instead of Cointreau)
- Spicy Margarita (muddled jalapeño)
- Mezcal Margarita
Cost
Cost Breakdown
Pour cost
$3.14
Bar price
$13–$16
You save
$9.86
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| tequila blanco | 2 oz | $1.89 |
| lime juice | 1 oz | $0.19 |
| cointreau | 0.75 oz | $1.06 |
| Total pour cost | $3.14 | |
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Calories
224
Sugar
12.6g
ABV
26.7%
Std drinks
1.8
| Ingredient | Calories | % Total |
|---|---|---|
| blanco tequila | 129.8 | 58% |
| cointreau | 64.2 | 28.7% |
| agave nectar | 21.6 | 9.7% |
| fresh lime juice | 8.1 | 3.6% |
Carbs: 12.9g
Alcohol: 25.2g
Volume: 4.1 oz
Zero-Proof
Non-Alcoholic Version
Original cost
$2.29
Zero-proof cost
$4.17
| Original | Replacement | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| blanco tequila | Seedlip Zero Proof Spirit(Seedlip) | $2.72 |
| fresh lime juice | Kept | $0.40 |
| cointreau | Lyre's Orange Sec(Lyre's) | $0.91 |
| agave nectar | Kept | $0.13 |
Flavor notes
One or more swaps are estimated. Taste and adjust citrus or sweetener to rebalance.
Pairs Well With
Common Questions
- What ingredients do I need for a Margarita?
- 2.028843390197305 oz Blanco Tequila, 1.0144216950986524 oz Fresh lime juice, 0.6762811300657684 oz Cointreau, 0.3381405650328842 oz Agave nectar.
- How much does a Margarita cost to make at home?
- The estimated pour cost for a Margarita is $3.14 using standard US retail bottle prices.
- How many calories are in a Margarita?
- A Margarita has approximately 224 calories, with 26.7% ABV and 12.6g of sugar.
- Can I make a non-alcoholic Margarita?
- Yes — the Margarita has a convertibility score of 4/5. The zero-proof version costs approximately $4.17.
- Where was the Margarita invented?
- The Margarita originated in Tijuana, Mexico around 1938.