A Mason Jar Margarita
The Spruce Eats / Claire Cohen
It has become popular to serve margaritas in a Mason jar with a ton of ice. The original margarita recipe was designed to be served as a short drink, with a volume of just 3 1/2 ounces. As with most classic cocktail recipes, it will barely fill many of today’s larger margarita and cocktail glasses, much less a Mason jar.
If you want to make a Mason jar margarita, you need a recipe designed for the larger volume. This modern version makes a drink that’s just over 6 ounces. With plenty of ice cubes and fresh fruit, it will fill the average Mason jar mug perfectly.
To make this margarita, shake 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce triple sec, and 3 ounces fresh sour mix with ice. Strain it into an ice-filled Mason jar and add a few lime wedges.
This can also be mixed directly in your Mason jar. At first, cut back on the ice, shake or stir the drink, then fill it with fresh ice cubes.
If you’re a fan of mixing drinks in Mason jars, Shane Carley’s “The Mason Jar Cocktail Companion” is an excellent book. All of the recipes are measured in parts and many of the booze-heavy recipes have been adapted to the higher volume. Carley’s Mason jar margarita, for instance, mixes 3 parts tequila, 2 parts orange liqueur, and 1 part lime juice.
Only Use Tequila Made From 100% Blue Weber Agave
If you choose the right Tequila for making your Margarita, make sure its 100% blue weber agave. You may have heard that Tequila always has to be made of this type of agave. And youre right. You cannot use another agave variety. Yet, not all Tequilas are made of 100% agave.
A Tequila mixto is allowed to add a maximum of 49% of sugar to the agave juice. That leaves you with only 51% agave and quite possibly a serious headache the morning after your Margarita night.
Thankfully, brands state it on the bottle if their Tequila is made of 100% agave. Just watch out for this note, and youre fine.
Can You Drink Tequila With Lemon
Outside of Mexico, it is common to serve tequila in a shot alongside salt and a slice of lime or lemon.
The Many Ways To Enjoy Tequila
A tequila drink is a type of distilled spirit derived from Mexico. The drink is known as sangrita, which is made with orange juice, grenadine, and hot chilies and is popular among Mexicans. A smooth, refreshing spirit that can be mixed or sipped neat. Several Mexicans enjoy drinking tequila in addition to friends and family.
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Best Tequila For Margaritas: A Quick Guide
We could just give you a big list of great bottles of tequila. Instead, first lets talk about the types of tequila and what to look for when you go to the store .
- Rule of thumb: any mid-priced tequila tastes great in a margarita. Price does indicate quality. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. Anything cheaper isnt worth buying.
- Use expensive tequilas for sipping. Very high-end bottles of tequila and tequila añejo are intended for sipping. Dont waste this type of tequila on a mixed drink!
- Tequila reposado makes a smooth, sophisticated margarita. There are two types of tequila to use in your margarita: reposado or blanco. We prefer reposado because of the nuanced flavor it adds.
- Tequila blanco is also ideal for margaritas. It has a straightforward agave-centric flavor and spicy finish. You can choose either! Heres more about the tequila types
How To Make A Frozen Margarita
Frozen margaritas are thicker, slushier versions of traditional margaritas. They’re ultra refreshing when it’s hot outside, and whipping them up makes any occasion instantly more festive. Frozen margaritas are great for a crowd, plus they’re even easier to make than margaritas on the rocks.
To make frozen margaritas, you’ll need a blender and plenty of crushed ice. Unlike a margarita on the rocks, we don’t recommend using fresh lime juice in a frozen margarita. Because frozen margaritas require a good amount of ice to blend, you need a tangy ingredient that packs more punch than lime juice.
Frozen lime concentrate, which you’ll find in the freezer section of most grocery stores, has just the right amount of intense lime flavor to stand out in a frozen margarita. Plus, its cold, icy texture will also give your margarita a smoother consistency. Here’s one more thing to love about frozen lime concentrate you can use the empty container as a measuring cup for the tequila.
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The Best 15 Tequilas For Margaritas
Tequila’s popularity is at an all-time high. According to Statista, Americans purchased about 23 million cases in 2020. Worldwide, the tequila market has grown to around 8.2 billion dollars. As interest in this liquor grows, so do the number of tequila drinkers.
A margarita comes with a few components: lime juice, a sweetener, ice, sometimes salt, and tequila. While mix-ins are important avoiding pre-made margarita mix is crucial the tequila can make or break your recipe.
The label of your tequila bottle should partially indicate its quality look for a label that includes the phrase “100% agave.” In the United States, tequila is only required to contain at least 51% agave. These types of tequilas will be labeled “mixto.” However, the ones made with pure agave are better.
The bottle should also tell you which type of tequila you’re looking at. The main types of tequila are: blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo. Blanco which is also referred to as “plata” is the kind you want in making margaritas. But that still doesn’t narrow down your choices very far, does it? We’re here to help. These are the best tequilas for making margaritas.
What Kind Of Tequila Is Best For Margaritas
My recommendation will always be for a blanco or reposado tequila for margaritas. Ive learned that I am not the biggest fan of gold tequila in my margaritas.
However, tequila gold is a popular choice for fruity restaurant margs because its inexpensive and the flavor is easily manipulated in mixed drinks!
If you want a lighter, more refreshing agave taste in your margarita, go for a blanco . Looking for a slightly richer experience? Try a reposado!
Lets look at some common questions about tequila!
Can you use Reposado tequila for margaritas?
Absolutely. Its one of my go-to options for homemade margaritas. It just depends on what kind of margarita Im making and which flavor profile were in the mood for!
What is a good inexpensive tequila for margaritas?
As mentioned above, the least expensive categories of tequila are going to be the silver and gold options. Go for a blanco because its always 100% agave and wont compete with the flavors of your margarita mix. You can also grab an inexpensive bottle of gold tequila, but its harder to find one that is 100% agave.
What is the best type of tequila?
If youre looking for a true sipping tequila , the answer to this question is going to be añejo. The price tag will often reflect the quality because it simply takes so much longer to produce.
What is the best top shelf tequila?Whats the smoothest tequila?
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Cazcanes No 9 Blanco Tequila
No. 9 Cazacanes Blancos handmade glass bottle houses a delectable 100-proof liquor. A well-rounded flavor profile is formed by the clean, dry taste that pervades sweet floral notes with just a trace of black peppercorn.
And this tequila won the coveted San Francisco World Spirits Competition awards for the best tequila and best unaged white spirit in 2018. With that, it received the highest possible rank of double gold for the second year in a row.
Don Julio Blanco Tequila
Type: BlancoABV: $49Price: 40%
Don Julio Blanco is another excellent choice made by one of the more famous Tequila brands. Previously, this was one of the more expensive Tequilas, but today it’s actually quite affordable compared to the competition.
That is not because Don Julio has lowered the price but because the competition has notably increased theirs. The quality, just like the price, stayed the same.
Why we like it: You get a wonderfully smooth Tequila with hints of citrus and pepper. In a Margarita, Don Julio works beautifully in combination with Grand Marnier. And if you like to sip a Tequila neat from time to time, Don Julio is also suitable for that.
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How To Make A Margarita :
Detailed instructions are included in the recipe below, but here is a brief overview of how to make a single-serving homemade margarita:
Which Type Of Tequila Is Best For Margaritas
Tequila is a type of liquor that has been used for centuries inMexico and other Latin American countries to make margaritas.
There are many types of tequila available, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.
Some people prefer blanco tequilas, which are made without any distillation or fermentation while others prefer reposado tequilas, which are made with sulfur dioxide and other chemicals.
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Types Of Tequila: Blanco Reposado And Anejo
There are three types of tequila with names that indicate how much they have been aged. Each one has a different flavor profile. The best tequila for margaritas is blanco or reposado. Heres an outline of the types:
- Tequila blanco is not aged. The flavor is agave forward, with notes of pepper and citrus and a spicy finish.
- Tequila reposado is aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels . It has a smooth flavor and notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel.
- Tequila añejo is aged 1 to 4 years in oak barrels . It tastes richer, with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Try sipping tequila añejo straight up, and save blanco and reposado for mixing in margaritas.
Does It Matter What Type Of Tequila To Use For A Margarita
Depending on the style of drink, some tequila types may be better suited than others. As mentioned, Blanco tequilas are the ideal choice for margaritas. But those aged may be too strong to go well with the other margarita ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different types if you like to put a twist on your drink.
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How To Make A Pitcher Of Margaritas:
Detailed instructions are included in the recipe below, but here is a brief overview of how to make pitcher margaritas:
What Can You Use Instead Of Lime For Tequila
Image by painteddonkeytequila
There are a few things you can use instead of lime for tequila, including lemon, orange, or grapefruit.
This is a classic Mexican distilled beverage made from the Blue Agave plant. Until recently, Jose Quervo Gold was the most popular tequila in the United States. If you dont want to use alcohol in a recipe, this guide can assist you in finding a substitute.
A tequila should have a sour or acidic fruit flavor with it. It is possible to do it by using a lemon wedge or lime. The lime or lemon will add a splash of flavor to tequila while balancing out its harsh, burning aroma.
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Dont Forget The Lime Juice
I highly recommend using fresh lime juice when making margaritas. It simply has a fresher and more balanced tart flavor than bottled lime juice.
If you do decide to use bottled store bought lime juice as a shortcut , try to use the kind that is not from concentrate. Santa Cruz Organic pure lime juice is a great option!
Villa One Silver Tequila
Average Price: roughly $42 per 750ml
Distillery: Fabrica de Tequilas Finos
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Liked It: We love the lasting sweet, agave taste of Villa One Silver Tequila. This tequila lacked superficial additives and was just distilled agave syrup .
The taste of roasted fruit of the agave plant and its natural sweetness is the only dominating flavor of this silver tequila.
Mix this great tequila with triple sec, and you will have a savory Margarita.
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El Recuerdo De Oaxaca Mezcal Joven
Joven or young refers to mezcal that hasnt undergone an aging process, like Recuerdo de Oaxaca Joven, the must-have margarita spirit for bartender Emilio Dominguez of Casa Maya Grill in Deerfield Beach, Florida, who tells us that, El Recuerdo de Oaxaca is Casa Maya Grills new favorite mezcal. The flavor is approachable, smooth and balanced something the mezcal market is missing right now. Appropriately smoky, its perfect for blending into cocktails without overpowering them.
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How Is Tequila Made
Tequila is created from a particular type of agave plant, Agave tequilana Weber blue. Its harvested during a very distinct stage of growth for optimal sweetness. It is only produced in Jalisco, and designated areas in four other Mexican states.
The agave juice that is fermented and distilled into tequila comes from heating and crushing the piña, which is the pit at the center of the agave plant after the leaves are sheared.
Tequila is produced under strict regulations in Mexico, regarding where and how it can be made. Fascinating, right?
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The Best Type Of Tequila For Margaritas
One of our favorite year-round cocktails is the margarita. But though there are many delicious mixes and flavors to explore in your cocktail – the most important flavor is tequila.
The base of any good margarita, when made with a high-quality tequila, youll find a smoother, rounder, and more delicious drink. Forget about that burning alcohol bite and harsh finish. When you have a premium tequila and clean margarita recipe, you wont need any sweet mixers or juices to make a simply delicious cocktail.
So how do you pick the best tequila for your margarita? Heres what you need to know.
How To You Make A Margarita From Scratch
Its easier than you think to make perfect frosty margarita cocktails from scratch. Heres how to do it:
First, prepare your serving glasses by running a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Invert the glasses onto a plate of kosher salt to coat the wet rim with salt. Fill each glass with ice cubes to chill while you prepare the drinks. In a large measuring glass, pitcher or cocktail shaker, stir together the tequila, triple sec liqueur, and lime juice until well mixed. Pour your margarita mixture over the ice and enjoy.
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What Percent Alcohol Is Margarita
For example, a margarita that is made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice will generally have a higher alcohol content than one made with just tequila and lime juice. Similarly, a margarita that is shaken or blended with ice will generally have a higher alcohol content than one that is served neat.
What Does It Mean When Salt Is Kosher
Kosher salt is a naturally occurring mineral that is coarse-grained and is historically used for removing surface blood from meats. Kosher salt contains sodium chloride but in most cases, not iodine, qualifying it as a non-iodized salt. In a few circumstances it may also have anti-clumping elements.
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Best High Proof: Siembra Valles High
Courtesy of TequilaConnection
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Licorice, Black pepper, Freshly-cut grass
If you’re someone who really wants that bright agave character to shine through in your Margarita, seek out the high-proof offering from Siembra Valles. Produced very traditionally, with the agave cooked in brick ovens and the crushing done via tahona, the finished Siembra Valles High Proof is double-distilled in copper and bottled at a robust 46 percent ABV. Big notes of black pepper, citrus, licorice, and freshly-cut grass will come through and add complexity to your expertly-prepared cocktail.
Good to know: Siembra Valles ferments their high-proof blanco with its bagassethe fibrous material that’s leftover after the agave is crushed. This adds richness and complexity, resulting in a more robust and layered tequila.
Price at time of publish:$58.94 for 750 ml bottle