Nick Hall

Classic Margarita Recipe: How to Make the Perfect Cocktail | Man of Many

LIFESTYLE
If you’ve found yourself wondering how to make a margarita, the easiest way the overcome the obstacle is to think about the basics. While store-bought margarita mixes are a handy and super-easy way to make the iconic cocktail, nothing compares to the real thing. Margarita ingredients are simple to find and more often than not, you’ll find them at the back of the liquor cabinet, along with a few novelty shot glasses, party hats and swizzle sticks that haven’t been touched since your 21st birthday. Here are the essential margarita ingredients;

Margarita Ingredients

Now, on to the real thing. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients and got your equipment sorted, you’re ready to get stuck into the margarita recipe. The recipe that we are using in this special Cinco de Mayo feature is the one put forward by the International Bartenders Association. This recipe is the go-to method for how to make a margarita cocktail. Even better, it’s super simple and easy to make. Here is the method for making the perfect margarita cocktail;

Margarita Recipe

Mexican culture is traditionally vibrant and colourful and it’s little wonder our preferred Mexican cocktail shares a similar set of characteristics. A favourite of the holiday-maker and party-goer alike, the margarita is arguably the most common and well-loved tequila cocktail in the world. So, how did the margarita become Mexico’s most celebrated drink?

Where Does the Margarita Drink Come From?

The legend of the margarita cocktail is one steeped in rich history and shrouded in mystery. According to cocktail historian (yes, that is a thing) David Wondrich, the Margarita is merely an adaptation of the popular American cocktail the Daisy. The brandy-based cocktail first gained popularity in the late 19th Century, with the earliest known recipe published in the second edition of Jerry Thomas’ The Bartenders Guide or How To Mix Drinks: The Bon-Vivant’s Companion way back in 1876.

History of the Margarita

When it comes to making a classic margarita at home, it’s not just as straightforward as slapping some ingredients in a shaker. To get the most out of your concoction, here’s waht you need to consider.

Things to Consider for the Margarita Cocktail

Whatever your budget, flavour preference or profile, there will be a tequila for you. The perfect Margarita hinges directly on the tequila you chose for the base, so this is a significant decision. Here, we’ve put together seven of the best tequilas for Margaritas for a choose your own Cinco de Mayo adventure.

What is the Best Tequila For a Margarita Cocktail?

In order to make the perfect margarita cocktail, you are going to need a few things in your bartending arsenal. While not entirely essential, these tools of the trade will make the job of creating the colour cocktail far easier, and make you look like you know what you’re doing at the same time. Here is what you need to make a Margarita;

Margarita Equipment

Can you make a Margarita without Triple Sec?

Yes. You can substitute Triple Sec for unsweetened orange juice concentrate, however, it has less intensity than the liqueur.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honour of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III.

Where was the Margarita invented?

One of the earliest stories of the Margarita suggests it was invented in 1938 by Carlos “Danny” Herrera at his restaurant Rancho La Gloria.

Margarita FAQs

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