20 Essential Margarita Recipes

By Food & Wine
Updated July 16, 2019
Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: © The Food Gays
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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.

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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.

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Spicy Margarita Punch

Credit: © Con Poulos
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Muddled cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and mint make this one extra flavorful.

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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.

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Combier Margarita

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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."

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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

Credit: © QUENTIN BACON
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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

Credit: Photo © Daniel Krieger
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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

Credit: © VICTORIA PEARSON
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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

Credit: 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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Credit: 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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