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This Cointreau margarita recipe is the ultimate version of the classic cocktail with premium orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and tequila! It makes a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
What’s the in perfect margarita? After making over 300 homemade cocktail recipes, the Cointreau margarita still wins. The balance of tequila, orange liqueur and lime is so pristine that we can’t get enough of it.
This classic 1930’s cocktail has stood the test of time: because it’s just that perfect. Here I’ll show you how to make the perfect margarita using the classic ratio and Cointreau, the best orange liqueur for the job.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly balanced: The premium orange liqueur creates a perfect blend of sweet, sour, and bitter notes
- Bar-quality flavor at home: This Cointreau margarita rivals anything you’d pay $15 for at a bar
- Simple to make: Just shake together 3 ingredients in 5 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
The margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails in history. It was invented in Mexico in the 1930’s, likely a variant on the the Brandy Daisy (margarita means “daisy” in Spanish). The drink became popular during Prohibition, when Americans would travel to Mexico to get alcohol. The classic way to make this drink is simply tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. So the ingredients in my perfect Cointreau margarita are:
- Tequila reposado: This is my preferred tequila for margaritas. Reposado tequila is aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels and has notes of vanilla and caramel that complement the orange flavors. Or course, you can substitute tequila blanco if that’s what you have! Here’s my guide to the Best Tequila for Margaritas for specific brand recommendations.
- Cointreau: Cointreau is a premium triple sec made in France from sweet and bitter orange peels. It has a balanced profile—not too sweet, with sophisticated spice notes and a clean finish.
- Fresh lime juice: Always use fresh juice: bottled just doesn’t have the same flavor.
- Kosher salt: For the rim. I prefer kosher salt or flaky sea salt, or try my Best Margarita Salt Recipe.
- Ice: If you have time to make clear ice, do it! Crystal-clear ice cubes look stunning and melt more slowly than regular cloudy ice.
How to Make a Cointreau Margarita
Once you’ve got your tequila reposado and Cointreau: you’re ready to make the perfect margarita! For a single drink, you’ll need a cocktail shaker. Here’s what to do:
- Make the salt rim. The best salt to use is kosher salt or flaky sea salt: it has the best texture. (Of course, don’t use table salt!) Place it in a single layer on a plate. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run it around the glass. Dip the outside rim of the glass in the salt.
- Shake up the ingredients. Place the tequila, Cointreau and lime in a shaker with 2 handfuls of ice and shake!
- Strain and garnish. The perfect margarita is served on the rocks with ice. Try clear ice if you can: it’s crystal clear artisan style ice that looks just like a fancy bar. It’s easy to make: just think 24 hours in advance.
What Makes Cointreau Special
Why use Cointreau in a margarita? Cointreau is a type of orange liqueur that’s a cut above Triple Sec, which is often used in this drink. What’s the difference between Cointreau vs Triple Sec? Here’s what to know:
- Cointreau makes the perfect margarita. It’s balanced between bitter and sweet, with warm spices that add complexity and nuance. It has a fragrant aroma and a smooth, clean finish.
- Triple Sec has a more straightforward orange flavor with less depth. It’s also cheaper, but we highly recommend the few extra dollars for grabbing a bottle of Cointreau.
What else can you make with a bottle of Cointreau? So many things! Try our Cointreau Drinks like the Sidecar, Cosmo, and more.
Making a Cointreau Margarita Pitcher
Want to make 8 servings of this perfect Cointreau margarita? You can make a margarita pitcher instead. The important thing about a pitcher: you’ll need to add a specific amount of ice to help dilute the drink like a shaker would. Here’s how to make a Cointreau margarita pitcher that makes 8 servings:
- 1 ½ cups tequila
- 1 cup Cointreau
- 1 cup lime juice
- 3 handfuls ice
Add the ice and stir until cold. That’s it!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Individual drinks: Cointreau margaritas are best enjoyed fresh since the ice begins melting immediately.
Pitcher margaritas: You can pre-mix the tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice up to 4 hours in advance. Keep refrigerated and add ice just before serving.
Leftover lime juice: If you’ve juiced more limes than you need, store the extra juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Perfect Cointreau Margarita
Here’s the perfect margarita recipe! This Cointreau margarita has pristine flavor from the classic balance of tequila and lime.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) tequila reposado (or substitute tequila blanco)*
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cointreau
- ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) fresh lime juice
- Kosher salt or flaky sea salt, for the rim
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
- For the garnish: Lime wedge
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt (or for a festive look, use our Margarita Salt).
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
- Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
Notes
*To make a pitcher of 8 servings, mix together in a pitcher: 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau, and ¾ cup lime juice. Add three handfuls of ice and stir until cold. Pour into individual glasses.
