Spirits Tequila Our Best Margarita Recipes By Food & Wine Editors Updated on January 25, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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 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. Get the Recipe 02 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 03 of 14 Blueberry Margarita TODD PORTER & DIANE CU This quick and easy margarita recipe is made with muddled blueberries and bitters. Get the Recipe 04 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 05 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 06 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 07 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 08 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 09 of 14 Spicy Margarita Punch © Con Poulos Muddled cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and mint make this one extra flavorful. Get the Recipe 10 of 14 Frozen Cucumber Margaritas with Chili-Sumac Salt 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." Get the Recipe 11 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 12 of 14 Salt Air Margarita © Tina Rupp Chef José Andrés uses Sucro, a powdered emulsifier beloved by avant-garde chefs, to make the salty foam topping. Get the Recipe 13 of 14 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. Get the Recipe 14 of 14 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. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit