Margarita on the Rocks Recipe
A classic Margarita on the Rocks recipe is the perfect cocktail! With fresh lime and tequila, this is the perfect margarita to sip on a warm day. Just 3 ingredients and few minutes is all you need to create a margarita from scratch!
Why You’ll Love This Margarita Recipe
A basic margarita on the rocks is full of flavor and super simple to make. If you love tequila cocktails, this refreshing, citrusy Classic Margarita is for you!
There is never a wrong time for a margarita. And a fresh Margarita on the Rocks is super quick and easy. (On the rocks just means it’s served over ice instead of blended!)
Related: Best Frozen Margarita
Using just a cocktail shaker, anyone can make a margarita from scratch. You don’t need any special skills (or a blender) to make one at home. And it’s almost impossible to screw it up.
In under 5 minutes, you can be sipping on the best margarita on the rocks recipe. As a huge fan of fresh lime juice and tequila, this recipe is one that I really enjoy.
It’s a great cocktail recipe to serve for a girls’ night in, happy hour with neighbors or any barbecue.
Ingredients
A classic on the rocks margarita recipe just has a few ingredients.
- Fresh lime juice
- orange liqueur
- tequila
When I first started making cocktails at home, they always turned out so terrible, even if I followed the directions! I figured out it was usually the quality of my ingredients that was throwing everything off.
You don’t have to spend a lot, you just need to look for a quality brand.
I prefer to use a Blanco tequila, but you could use a reposado if you prefer. Cazadores is a great tequila to use. It has a great price point and blends really well in a cocktail. It is also tasty on its own (or in Tequila and Coke), so you can’t go wrong.
I also really like DeLeon Tequila and Santo Tequila. But feel free to use your favorite! Usually, in mixed drinks, you can use pretty much any kind of liquor. But you really do taste the tequila in this recipe so make sure you use one that you like.
I used Cointreau since I had it on hand, but you could use Triple Sec if you prefer. It’s usually a bit cheaper than Cointreau. If you’re really trying to be fancy, consider floating a little Grand Marnier on top. (But you would totally be showing off).
Fresh lime juice is a MUST! Bottled just doesn’t give you the same zing. It gives this drink a tart flavor that is so crave-worthy.
If you prefer your margarita on the rocks to be a little bit sweeter, use a bit of agave nectar. Since tequila is made from agave, it’s a natural pairing. But you could also use simple syrup if you want.
Using flavored simple syrups really allows you to create some delicious variations of the classic. Try Strawberry Simple Syrup, Blueberry Simple Syrup, or Basil Simple Syrup.
How to Make a Margaritas on the Rocks
Step 1
Rim the glass with salt and set aside.
Step 2
In a cocktail shaker, add tequila and Cointreau. I love this mini measuring cup for making cocktails. It’s easy to see the numbers from above so you get a more accurate amount.
I’m a terrible estimator and measure everything. This one is my go-to if I’m not using a standard jigger.
Step 4
Add the fresh lime juice.
Dang it. It smells so good. This is my favorite citrus squeezer for making cocktails. I’ve been using it a few months and it’s holding up really well even after going through the dishwasher.
Step 5
Optional: If you are using agave nectar you would add it now.
Step 6
Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake well (about 15 seconds). A good indicator is if the shaker is now too cold to hold with your bare hands.
Serve
Fill your cocktail glass with fresh ice and strain the margarita over it. Garnish with lime.
I didn’t always love tequila, but after a trip to Loreto, Mexico, my interest was renewed. Maybe you’re remembering some long college nights and awful next mornings attributed to tequila. But it’s time to get over it.
Tequila is a delicious ingredient in cocktails. And once you find a brand you really enjoy, it will open up a whole new world of drinks to you!
Tips and Tricks
- If you aren’t a huge fan of the taste of tequila, consider making a blended margarita. The flavor of the tequila tends to stand out more when served on the rocks.
- If you use a bottom-shelf tequila, you are more likely to need to add the agave nectar to sweeten the drink and help mask the tequila flavor. I’ve found that a nicer tequila all but eliminates the need for agave (but I also really like the taste of tequila).
- You can rim a margarita glass with coarse salt or tajin as well as flavored salts or even sugars.
- Want to change up the flavor of your margarita slightly? Try swapping the orange liqueur for St. Germain or another flavored liqueur. (And then make St. Germain Cupcakes).
- If you love wine cocktails, you can float a bit of pinot noir on top! (See more Red Wine Cocktails with Tequila).
This Margarita on the rocks recipe is sure to be your new go-to recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
When you see “margarita on the rocks” it means that the margarita is served over ice. This is the classic presentation. The reason you usually call out if you want it “on the rocks” is that some people prefer them blended (so slushy with the ice blended up with the drink).
NO! I’m big on keeping your home bar small and manageable. I don’t think you need have “proper” glassware for your cocktails. I like to serve margaritas in a short glass. I’m also not a huge fan of the look of traditional margarita glasses. I have these margarita glasses on the way to my house as we speak though! I plan on using them for all types of cocktails.
I prefer them on the rocks. I think any cocktail on the rocks is easier to sip than one that is frozen. I also find that frozen margaritas often separate.
Margaritas can be made with Blanco, Reposado or Anejo. I prefer to make them with Blanco (clear) tequila. The other types are aged and have a slightly different flavor. I noted 3 favorite brands above.
More Margarita Recipes
- Wine Margarita Recipe
- Watermelon Margarita
- Basil Margarita
- Cucumber Margarita
- Blood Orange Margarita
- Flavored Margaritas
- Aperol Margarita
More Tequila Cocktails
- Tequila Gimlet Recipe with Fresh Lime Juice
- Simple Tequila Sour Recipe Without Egg
- Tequila Soda with Lime
- Easy 3-Ingredient Tequila Sunrise Recipe
- Tequila Mule with Ginger Beer (Mexican Mule)
- Strawberry Tequila Cocktail
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Margarita on the Rocks
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Casamigos Blanco Tequila
- 1 ounce Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
- 1 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp agave, if needed
- salt for rimming the cocktail glass
Instructions
- To rim the glass, run a lime wedge on the outer rim of (or a portion of) a glass and dip in course salt on a plate. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Add agave if using.
- Add ice and shake well (about 15 seconds).
- Fill rimmed glass with fresh ice and strain margarita over it. Garnish with lime.
Notes
- If you aren’t a huge fan of the taste of tequila, consider making a blended margarita. The flavor of the tequila tends to stand out more when served on the rocks.
- If you use a bottom-shelf tequila, you are more likely to need to add the agave nectar to sweeten the drink and help mask the tequila flavor. A nicer tequila all but eliminates the need for agave.
- You can rim a margarita glass with coarse salt or tajin as well as flavored salts or even sugars.
- Want to change up the flavor of you margarita slightly? Try swapping the orange liqueur for St. Germain or another flavored liqueur. (And then make St. Germain Cupcakes).
- If you love wine cocktails, you can float a bit of pinot noir on top! (See more Red Wine Cocktails with Tequila).