Margarita

A margarita is a mix of Tequila, Triple Sec (orange liqueur) and lime juice. The drink clearly bears the mark of the spirit it is made with and is more on the fresh and sour side than on the sweet side.

The drink can be made and served in a variety of ways:

• Shaken and served in a Margarita glass

• Shaken and served on ice in an Old-fashioned glass

• Frozen

The drink is often served in a glass with a salt rim. This is made by rubbing the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and then dipping the wet rim into a small plate of salt. The salt provides a salty-sour contrast with the drink.

Glass tips!

If you don't have the right glass, you can use the following alternatives:

• Margarita glass: Coupe/Coupette/Martini glass/wine glass
• Old-fashioned glass: Low kitchen glass

Base spirit

Any agave spirit will work, but Tequila is the original. Golden and aged versions of Tequila can add extra complexity. Mezcal often adds a distinct smoky flavour to the drink.

Proportions

If you prefer a slightly sweeter version, add a little sugar syrup or extra liqueur at the expense of the Tequila.

Liqueurs

A fruit liqueur other than Tripel Sec can give a very different feel to the drink and is an easy way to vary it. Try out distinct and aromatic liqueurs based on raspberry, passion fruit or similar.

Fruits

Fruits can be added whole or muddled in a shaker, in the form of juice or frozen in frozen versions. It is often a good idea to combine fruit additions with a matching fruit liqueur to enhance and clarify the flavour of the fruit.

Margarita recipe

• 5 cl Tequila
• 2 cl Triple Sec
• Juice of half a lime
• Table salt
• 2 wedges of lime

Rub a lime wedge along the rim of the glass. Dip the glass in salt spread over a small plate. Shake the remaining ingredients except the lime wedge in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.