Perfect Margaritas

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 margaritas
  • Total: 25 min
  • Active: 20 min
Before serving this classic Mexican cocktail, be sure to add a salt rim to your glass — but switch things up! We’re sharing three flavored salts, so you can choose your favorite or try them all.
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Ingredients

Lime wedges, for the glasses and garnish

Coarse salt or flavored salt, for the glasses (recipe follows)

12 ounces silver tequila

6 ounces fresh lime juice

3 ounces orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)

3 tablespoons superfine sugar

Smoky Orange Salt:

3 oranges

1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

Kosher salt

Sweet and Spicy Lime Salt:

4 limes

Kosher salt

Large pinch cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon sugar

Tangy Hibiscus Salt:

2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers

3 tablespoons kosher salt

Directions

  1. Moisten the rim of 6 rocks glasses with a lime wedge or water, then dip each glass in coarse salt.
  2. In a pitcher, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add ice just before serving. Divide among the prepared glasses.

Smoky Orange Salt:

  1. Grate the orange zest onto a microwave-safe paper towel-lined plate. Microwave until the zest is dry, tossing every 30 seconds, about 1 1/2 minutes.
  2. Transfer the dried zest to a spice grinder along with the smoked paprika and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Process until combined, then mix with 1 1/2 tablespoons more kosher salt.

Sweet and Spicy Lime Salt:

  1. Grate the lime zest onto a microwave-safe paper towel-lined plate. Microwave until the zest is dry, tossing every 30 seconds, about 1 1/2 minutes.
  2. Transfer the dried zest to a spice grinder along with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Process until combined, then mix with the cayenne, sugar and 1 more tablespoon salt. 

Tangy Hibiscus Salt:

  1. Using a spice grinder, process the hibiscus flowers until powdery, then mix with the kosher salt.

Let's Get Cooking!

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