Margarita

Ingredients

• 2 oz Blanco Tequila
• ½ oz Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• ½ oz Agave Nectar
• Garnish: Lime Wedge
• Optional: Salt for Rimming

Instructions

1. Prep Your Glass: If desired, run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into salt. For best results, only salt half the rim to allow both salted and unsalted sips.
2. Mix Your Cocktail: Add tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar to a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake: Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
4. Serve: Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. While traditional margaritas are often served in specialized glassware, a simple rocks glass allows the cocktail to shine without pretense.
5. Garnish: Add a lime wedge to the rim of your glass.

Bartender's Notes

This hybrid margarita takes the best elements from two classic versions. From the original, it borrows the orange liqueur (Cointreau) which adds complexity and depth. From Tommy's Margarita (created at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco), it incorporates agave nectar instead of simple syrup, complementing the tequila's natural flavors.

Always use 100% agave blanco tequila for the cleanest expression of flavor. Reposado tequila can be substituted for a slightly more complex, oak-influenced version.

The key to a perfect margarita is balance—it should be neither too sweet nor too tart. Adjust the agave nectar slightly based on the sweetness of your limes, which can vary seasonally.