This Margarita on the Rocks recipe took me years of research and I have finally found the absolute best one ever! This simple and sensational agave margarita has only 4 ingredients. You don’t need expensive liqueurs or mixes to make this ultimate tequila cocktail!
If you’ve been around ACT for a bit, you know that I LOVE Margaritas! Whether it’s this slightly exotic Tamarind Margarita or this gorgeously red Hibiscus Margarita, this is one tequila cocktail I never tire of.
So, for years I’ve searched for the perfect easy margarita recipe.
And I found it. Finally. And Yes, the search was worth it!
So what makes this margarita cocktail the BEST?
The tequila – and yes, I’m serious. But it isn’t about the brand! Read on to find out why the type of tequila used makes such a difference!
What’s in a Margarita?
- Tequila – most margarita recipes use silver tequila but using Reposado tequila is THE gamechanger! Reposado is smoother, with hints of vanilla and caramel which is why you don’t need Grand Marnier or Triple Sec.
- Fresh limes – ditch the margarita mix, fresh lime juice tastes so much better!
- chili lime salt– you definitely could use kosher salt but I love the “bite” of chile lime salt!
- agave nectar- although simple syrup is the most common sweetener in this cocktail, the richer honeyed flavor of agave works much better!
Types of Tequila FAQ’s:
Tequila is a spirit made from the blue Agave plant native to Mexico.
There are 5 different types of tequila.
Blanco: Unaged, Blanco tequila has a more neutral flavor and is a bit harsher than aged tequilas.
Tequila Gold: Additional colorings and/or flavorings are added to resemble an aged tequila.
Reposado: aged in wooden barrels from 2 to 11 months. This tequila is mellower and has more caramel notes than a Blanco tequila.
Anejo: aged for 1 year in barrels that don’t exceed 600 liters. Has a mellower and more complex flavor than Reposado.
Extra Anejo: aged for 3 years and, due to the concentration of alcohol, is diluted with water prior to bottling.
It really depends upon the cocktail! Blanco tequila works very well in mixed drinks with other strong flavors as does Reposado. The Anejo tequilas are more like aged whiskies and are really intended for straight sipping.
How to Make a Margarita On the Rocks
- Start with a quality Reposado Tequila. I like Milagro but there are tons of choices. TIP: Look for Reposado based cocktails when you are ordering a cocktail – it’s a great way to try other tequilas without having to purchase multiple bottles!
- Juice your limes: If you’re making these for a crowd, you can juice the limes several hours in advance. Hold on to some of the juiced limes to use to rim the glass!
- Rim your glass or glasses: You definitely can do this ahead of time! Spread the salt or chile lime salt on the plate. Run a juiced lime around the rim of the glass and then dip the glass into the salt, rotating the glass to cover the entire rim.
- Shake your cocktail: You can shake the cocktail a couple of hours before serving but I like to do it just before. There is something so festive about the sound of a cocktail shaker!
- Add ice: Add ice to your glass or glasses and pour the margarita over. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired and then serve!
Other Tequila Cocktails you’ll love!
If you love this as much as I do, I’d love for you to give it a 5 star rating in the comments!
Cheers! Nancy
Margarita on the Rocks
Ingredients
- 2 oz. reposado tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz. agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon chile lime salt I used Tanjin
- 1 lime wedge optional
Instructions
- Reserve one of the juiced limes to rim the glass. Run the lime around the rim.
- Spread the chile lime salt on a small plate. Dip the rim into the chile salt, making sure to cover the entire rim.
- In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice and agave nectar.Add ice and shake for 45 seconds.
- Add ice to the rimmed cocktail glass and pour the cocktail over.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.
Mark Buchanan says
March 24, 2019 at 4:09 pmI’ve tried many margaritas over the years, and this one stands out. The Reposado makes the difference. It’s just a better tasting margarita. This combination of great taste and simple preparation makes it perfect, and my friends oohed and aahed when they tried it. I highly recommend trying this.
Nancy says
March 24, 2019 at 6:02 pmSo glad they liked it Mark!!! It really is a fabulous margarita!
Mimi says
May 2, 2019 at 6:44 amThere are so many great margarita recipes. I typically use a 1-1-1 ratio of tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier. I’ve seen the same recipe with twice as much tequila. I’ve also added Fresca to margaritas and they’re wonderful! My friends and family kid me about writing a Fresca cookbook… Anyway. I’ll try yours out, for the sake of research…