The Perfect Margarita

Crafting the Perfect Margarita is simple with this easy recipe and a good tequila. Unlike bottled margarita mix, this recipe will enhance a good tequila rather than covering up a bad one. Choose a tequila that is 100% Agave or “pure” agave. Tequilas labeled “mixto” or “oro” are cut with other cane alcohols so they lack the smoothness of 100% Agave.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add:

1 oz Tequila
2 oz Citrus Juice Mixer – recipe below
.5 oz Patron Orange, Triple Sec, or other orange liqueur

Strain and pour over ice in a cocktail glass with a salted rim.

Garnish with lime, lemon, and/or orange wheels.

If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add more agave syrup to your Citrus Juice Mixer.

Enjoy.

How to make Citrus Juice Mixer

Citrus Juice blend for Perfect Margarita, Arizona living

Squeeze and combine

2 limes
1 lemon
½ an Orange – preferably something sweet and juicy like a Cara Cara or Blood Orange.

Combine the juice.
Add 1/2 tsp Agave Syrup and stir.
For a sweeter flavor add more Agave Syrup.

How to “rim” a cocktail glass with salt or sugar

Pour coarse salt or sugar onto a small plate – the plate needs to be slightly larger than the rim of your cocktail glass.
Cut a lime into wedges.
Cut a slice into the center of each lime wedge.
Use the slice to put the lime wedge on the rim of your glass and rotate the glass, gently squeezing the lime wedge to leave a ring of lime juice around the rim of the glass – if you prefer to have salt/sugar on just a portion of the glass, rub that portion of the glass with the lime wedge. This technique can also be used for salting a small section on the rim of shot glass.
While the rim of your glass is still damp with lime juice dip the rim into your salt/sugar plate.