Classic Shaken Margarita
PUBLISHED ON: 06.10.2010
This is my favorite margarita-strong, tangy and icy but not frozen.
Any good quality tequila will allow for a great tasting margarita but, if you can take a bit of a splurge, then take the leap and purchase a 100 percent agave tequila, it really makes this cocktail shine and is worth the investment.
Classic Shaken Margarita
Makes 4 generous cocktails
Recipe from: Rick Bayless
Ingredients:
1 cup tequila, preferably a young silver or reposado 100 percent agave tequila
1/2 cup Cointreau or other high quality orange liqueur
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, plus a little extra for moistening the rim of the glasses
A little sugar if necessary
About 1/3 cup coarse (kosher) salt for crusting the rims of the glasses
About 3 cups medium ice cubes
Directions:
In a small pitcher, combine the tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. Taste and add more lime or a touch of sugar if desired (keep in mind that it will taste a little tangier once it has been shaken).
Spread out the salt on a small plate. Moisten the rims of four 6-ounce martini glasses with a little lime juice (if you have a cut lime, even an already squeezed one, just moisten the rims by running it around them). Dip the rim of each glass in the salt, creating a thin, even crusted all around the rim.
Pour half of the margarita mixture into a cocktail shaker, add half of the ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds (this is important to achieve the perfect strength-some of the ice needs to melt into the margarita-and the right degree of frostiness). Strain into two of the prepared glasses, then repeat with the remaining margarita mixture.
Relax and enjoy!
Tina
Now THIS looks like the beginning of a great weekend!
FOODESSA
Isn't it nice when we actually have all the ingredients on hand to be able to please and re-fresh ourselves with very tasty cocktail!Very nice blend ;0)Thanks for sharing and flavourful wishes, Claudia
Faith
The perfect drink for cocktail hour! 🙂
pam
Margaritas are the best!!! Is that taken in front of some rosemary?
Jayanthy Kumaran
fantastic click with neat presentation.
Unknown
that looks great Velva!!
Julie
Beautiful margarita! Love the blue tequilla bottle. Your rosemary looks beautiful. I am still waiting for mine to grow this year. We've had a lot of rain and it seems to thrive in warm and dry.
Lorraine
Sounds refreshing and delicious! I will be needing one of those around 5:00 today..lol.
Andy
Love it, and none of that vile mint to boot!
Big Dude
Good looking rita and I think you could be hurt after a few of them 🙂
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
The perfect cocktail for drinking on the patio in the summer! Good ingredients and fresh lime juice are so important. I'm a purist too – never frozen slushies!
Devon
Totally agree that shaken is better than frozen.
Kim
I love it when you make cocktails! They always looks so pretty and inviting 😉 I definitely love a great margarita and need to get some good tequilla.
Unknown
Love this marg! It looks yummy delicious!
figtree
Wishing you safe travels..I think I need a drink like this after all this packing!xoxo
The JR
I like my shaken too. Frozen gives me a headache. I would say brain freeze, but you gotta have a brain before it can get frozen……
tinyskillet
Mmmm…sounds perfect! Top shelf shaken Margarita! I always like mine shaken, not frozen and with salt! I haven't tried the agave tequila yet, I'll put that on my list!
buffalodick
I buy such cheap booze, I just leave it in the brown bag it came in… 🙂
Karalee
I love margi's and will definitely give this a try! Thank you.
tasteofbeirut
Your photo is very suggestive and I am feeling the urge for a maragarita right about now; thanks for the tip on the 100% agave ones, as I usually buy the cheaper bottle thinking (wrongly) that we won't notice the difference!
Federica Simoni
mmmmmmmmmmmmm..che delizia!!
The Wh0le Story
My boyfriend and I are on a HUGE margarita kick recently – if we drink, it's pretty much all we want. They're just so perfect for summer.
Ana Powell
Very perfect for the summer ♥
The Short (dis)Order Cook
Thanks so much for dropping by my blog!I discovered a lonely bottle of Cointreau in my cabinet this weekend and you and I must be on the same wavelength because I kept thinking about how a nice cold margarita would be perfect with it. Alas, I had no tequila. You are reminding me how I should remedy that. While I'm at it, I should get some limes and cranberry juice for some rockin' cosmos!
RamblingTart
I've never tried the agave tequila before, Velva, but you make it sound so amazing I simply must!!
TKW
Now you're speaking my language! Looks like just the thing for a thirsty girl!
Lea Ann
A big \”High Five\”. Just like I like em.
Mags @ the Other Side of 50
Perfect margarita recipe and as I'm sitting here sweating, I could really, really use one.Lovely photo.
Karen
Yum! I can't drink frozen ritas… they give me brain freeze. OUCH! This looks perfect 🙂
Marguerite
Wonderful! I could use one right now! Cheers!
Anonymous
I love learning how to make cocktails from you! This is terrific!
Julie
Um…yes please!
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types
Ah, summer has arrived! I've never had agave tequila – I'll have to check it out.
Catherine
Ah, I love the way this sounds. I agree with T.W. Summer has arrived! Yay!Well, cheers to a happy, healthy summer!
Miss Meat and Potatoes
Velva I just love you and your devotion to cocktails. I honestly love that cocktail culture is coming back. You can literally feel (and hear) the difference when you make a special drink for company versus just serving the typical wine and beer. Keep 'em coming! This one has my name on it.
Sophie Sportende Foodie
A very tasty & grown up party drink! Excellent for these hot summer days!
Angie's Recipes
This is a great cocktail to kick start the World Cup!
Barbara
You always make the best drinks, Velva! I wish I lived next door to you.Yummee.
LaDivaCucina
It's Friday and it's cocktail time! woo hoo! I never got into the classic way of making margaritas but always did it with home made sour mash. Perhaps it was because Cointreau is $35 and triple sec is $10?! Enjoy Mami!
Chris
Slide one of those over my way, V!
À LA GRAHAM
This is perfect! I just made watermelon margs today and I was debating over the tequilla. I am going to have to go out and buy this. Good tequilla makes all the difference. I hope to post mine on Sunday, they were really tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
Mary Bergfeld
This could quite quickly a favorite of mine as well. It looks wonderful. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Adventures in Domestic Cooking
Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog, it was all too sweet!!=)That is such a wonderful story about your Kitchen Aid, thanks for sharing it.
Susan Fields
Oh, yum! Margaritas are my favorite drinks. My husband loves Mexican food but I don't, but at least I get to drink margaritas!
Sues
Perfect Saturday night drink! And the Milagro bottle is so pretty 🙂
theUngourmet
That is some good looking tequila alright! Yum! It's finally warm here today. That margarita looks just about perfect for today! 😉
Chef E
I have the chips and dips to go with!
Christiana
Delicious blog, so glad I came upon it! I always love a nice drink!
Karen Harris
Now you're talking! I love a good Margarita and this looks like a great one.
D. @ Outside Oslo
That sounds a lot like my husband's excellent margarita: quality tequila, orange liquor, and definitely no pre-made mixes. Cheers!(By the way, I just posted his mojito recipe on Outside Oslo, if you're interested in another summery drink. It's my favorite mojito.)