20 Essential Margarita Recipes

Victor Protasio

A classic margarita may be one of the most popular cocktails around, and is perfectly simple to make at home. Here, a collection of homemade margarita recipes, from a classic margarita on the rocks to a spicy frozen margarita, and more. Click through this gallery for all of our best simple margarita recipes.

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Black Grape And Chile Margarita

Abby Hocking / Food & Wine

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This spicy margarita recipe from Food & Wine's Paige McCurdy-Flynn uses both chile powder and fresh chile for a double dose of heat.

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Blueberry Margarita

TODD PORTER & DIANE CU

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This quick and easy margarita recipe is made with muddled blueberries and bitters.

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Margarita

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According to master mixologist Dale DeGroff, a drink called the Tequila Daisy was served at Tijuana’s Agua Caliente racetrack in the 1920s. It was made with lemon juice, tequila and a sweet ingredient—the template for a Margarita.

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Jalapeño Basil Lime Frozen Margarita

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A blended frozen margarita, with a bit of heat from jalapeño, is the ideal warm-weather beverage.

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Mango Margarita

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Bartender David Yan coats the rim of the glass with citrusy Tajin-brand chile powder, but any powdered chile will give the drink a fun kick.

More Ideas for Mango

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Blood Orange Margaritas

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Chef Dean Fearing calls this drink, "the fall margarita." The sweet-tart blood orange flavor intensifies the margarita-ness of it.

More Ideas for Citrus

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Spicy Margarita Punch

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Muddled cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and mint make this one extra flavorful.

Tips for the Perfect Margarita

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Salt Air Margarita

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Chef José Andrés uses Sucro, a powdered emulsifier beloved by avant-garde chefs, to make the salty foam topping.

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Aphrodisiac Margarita

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Mixologist Adam Seger claims that the margarita is the cocktail world’s aphrodisiac. This version combines passion fruit and pomegranate, commonly associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

More Inventive Cocktail Recipes

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Combier Margarita

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Classic Cocktails

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Pear-Cilantro Margarita

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Unusual fruit and herb combinations distinguish the drinks at this upscale taqueria, whose name loosely translates as "from scratch."

Garden-to-Glass Cocktails

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Cucumber Margarita

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The only thing more refreshing than a margarita is one made with cucumbers. The cucumber-infused tequila also makes a great punch.

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Maria's Margarita

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Mixologist Todd Thrasher created this margarita to entice his wife into visiting him at PX, the 1920s-style speakeasy above the restaurant Eamonn's: A Dublin Chipper. The margarita's flavors are based on a spicy Salvadoran chile mix she likes to sprinkle on cucumbers.

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Pomegranate Margaritas

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This margarita, Nadia Roden's own concoction, was inspired by the pomegranates her mother and grandmother used to serve at New Year's celebrations.

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Amante Picante Margarita

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Mixologists are still reacting against too-sweet drinks. This spicy margarita combines three savory ingredients: jalapeño, cilantro and cucumber.

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Grilled-Citrus Margaritas

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These excellent margaritas have a subtle, smoky flavor. The secret: The limes and lemons are grilled before being juiced.

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Blood Orange Margarita with Ginger

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Mango-Elderflower Margaritas

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Combine mango and elderflower liquor for a vibrant and refreshing drink on a hot, summer day.

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Madame Ae-Ma

Con Poulos

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A rim of gochujang (Korean chile paste) and gochugaru (Korean chile powder) creates warming layers of heat in this tart and spicy take on a margarita. You can order gochujang and gochugaru online or find them at your local Asian grocery store.

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Victor Protasio

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Gail Simmons’ Frozen Cucumber-Coconut Cocktail with Chili-Sumac-Salt Rim is the perfect refreshing summer drink. Inspired by the classic flavors of Mexican fruta con chile y limón, each drink is rimmed with a salty, smoky, slightly tart blend of flaky sea salt, chili powder, and sumac. Sprinkle any extras on fresh cut fruit for a delicious snack. For a perfect slushy texture that never gets icy or watery, Simmons freezes the cucumbers before blending. Use your favorite fresh coconut water here; it adds a lightly sweet, cooling flavor to the cocktail.

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20 Essential Margarita Recipes

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Black Grape And Chile Margarita

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Blueberry Margarita

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Margarita

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Jalapeño Basil Lime Frozen Margarita

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Mango Margarita

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Blood Orange Margaritas

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Spicy Margarita Punch

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Salt Air Margarita

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Aphrodisiac Margarita

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Combier Margarita

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Pear-Cilantro Margarita

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Cucumber Margarita

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Maria's Margarita

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Pomegranate Margaritas

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Amante Picante Margarita

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Grilled-Citrus Margaritas

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Blood Orange Margarita with Ginger

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Mango-Elderflower Margaritas

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Madame Ae-Ma

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