Our Best Margarita Recipes

Frozen Cucumber Margaritas
Photo: Victor Protasio

A classic margarita may be one of the most popular cocktails around, and it's a perfect drink to make at home. Here, a collection of homemade margarita recipes, from fruity margaritas to spicy margaritas, mezcal margaritas, and more. Read on to serve truly special margaritas.

01 of 14

Charred Citrus Margaritas

Charred Citrus Margaritas
Antonis Achilleos

Add a whiff of smoke to your margaritas with grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines that have been charred on the grill. The intense heat of the grates from the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in fruit and creates complex, bittersweet notes — and a more intriguing cocktail.

02 of 14

Mezcal Margarita

Mezcal Margarita
Victor Protasio

Smoky mezcal brings depth to a classic margarita. A combination of slightly sweeter Combier and mildly bitter Cointreau balances the floral orange notes in the drink. Double the Cointreau if Combier is unavailable.

03 of 14

Blueberry Margarita

17 Tasty Margaritas to Mix for Cinco de Mayo
TODD PORTER & DIANE CU

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

04 of 14

Mango Margarita

Mango Margarita
© John Kernick

Bartender David Yan coats the rim of the glass with citrusy Tajín lime and chile powder, but any powdered chile will give the drink a fun kick.

05 of 14

Spicy Margarita

Spicy Margarita

Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon

When it comes to making a perfect spicy margarita, just add a jalepeño pepper to the mix, which serves double-duty as an ingredient and garnish.

06 of 14

Sour Cherry Mezcal Margarita

Sour Cherry Mezcal Margarita
Photo by Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Sue Mitchell

This fruity spin on a margarita combines smoky mezcal, citrusy Cointreau, and sweet-tart cherry puree in a vibrant red drink perfect for late-summer sipping. Bright, pleasantly tart sour cherries are in season for a limited window, so this simple roasted puree is an easy way to preserve their flavor. 

07 of 14

Pomegranate Margarita

The Rock's Pomegranate Margarita
Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Caitlin Haught Brown

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson loves a good margarita, especially when it's made with his Teremana tequila. This sweet-and-sour version has a tart kick from the pomegranate juice and a vibrant red color.

08 of 14

Blood Orange Margaritas

Blood Orange Margaritas

© John Kernick

Sweet-tart blood oranges lend an intense citrus flavor and gorgeous blush color to this beloved cocktail, but standard navel oranges will also work here. 

09 of 14

Spicy Margarita Punch

Spicy Margarita Punch
© Con Poulos

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

10 of 14

Frozen Cucumber Margaritas with Chili-Sumac Salt

Frozen Cucumber Margaritas
Victor Protasio

"My most recent slushy [infatuation] is a tequila, cucumber, and coconut water creation, blended up with cilantro and lime and rimmed with a mix of chili powder, sumac, and salt," Top Chef judge Gail Simmons says of her recipe for Frozen Cucumber Margaritas with Chili-Sumac Salt, which we first published in 2019. "It's an ode to my favorite Mexican street snack, fruta con chile y limón: little bags of sliced mango, cucumber, and jicama usually sprinkled with Tajín, a spicy and sour snack seasoning."  

11 of 14

Cucumber Margarita

Cucumber Margarita

© Con Poulos

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

12 of 14

Salt Air Margarita

Salt Air Margarita
© Tina Rupp

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

13 of 14

Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco

Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco
ADRIAN GAUT

In this refreshing cocktail, Prosecco adds a lively spritz to a light, watermelon-forward margarita. If you happen to have a juicer on hand, you can certainly use it here.

14 of 14

Gingerbread Margarita

Gingerbread Margarita
Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

This winter margarita has a warm, cozy, cake-spice panache that wouldn't be out of place at a holiday party. The spiced syrup is key: It intensifies the orange flavors of the cocktail while adding a seasonal spice hit that brings much-needed warmth during the winter months. 

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles