A pitcher of fresh lime margaritas might be one of the greatest things in the world. Okay, that might be a biiit of an exaggeration, but there’s something so special about the simplicity of a good margarita. Give me some fresh squeezed lime juice, a bit of agave, and a dose of tequila and I’m set – chips and salsa optional.
My love affair with margaritas ends, however, the moment sweet & sour or any other artificial mixers come into play. I don’t want to sound rude, but a fresh margarita is nothing compared to all of the pre-made mixes that are found in the tequila section of the grocery store. But there’s good news! Fresh lime margaritas are practically just as easy to make, so put that neon mix away, grab some limes, and read on!
After lots (and lots and lots) of marg testing, I like to think Elliot & I have come up with the ultimate margarita recipe. And this is coming from my husband who frowns on tequila in any other capacity, but will gladly sip on one of these. Trust me, they’re good. Plus, this recipe is so simple that it’s even become a staple during our weekly Taco Tuesday dinner.
The key to the right fresh lime margarita is a balance between the tartness of the limes, the sweetness of the agave, and the boldness of the tequila. My favorite part of this recipe, though, is the bit of bubbles that are added at the end. I am partial to any bubbly drink (hello, sparking rosé), and the slight hint of carbonation here really helps to lighten up the marg. I personally like to use club soda or lemon sparkling water in the recipe, but other flavored seltzers or sodas work great, too.
When it comes to the tequila, I always gravitate towards using blanco varieties in my margs. I’ve found Altos Tequila Plata to be one of the best for its price point, since it lends a great flavor to the margaritas – and the bottle is pretty rad, too. If you’re more of a reposado or añejo fan, though, stick with what you love.
Now, what better holiday to mix up a pitcher of these beloved margaritas than Cinco de Mayo?! This is another one of my favorite holidays, because who doesn’t love another excuse to have endless tacos, salsa + margs? Side note: How perfect are these pink cactus stir sticks for Cinco? Once again the amazing Roc Shop has slayed the cocktail game with these perfectly pink babes. They will definitely be in action at our fiesta on Saturday (and yes, it has been renamed a “Seis de Mayo” party). However you’re celebrating this week, I hope you’ll find yourself cheers-ing with a few of these margs!
Fresh Lime Margaritas (Serves 2)
4 limes, juiced (about 1/2 c. of juice)
1 oz. Agave nectar
4 oz. Blanco tequila
Club soda/lemon lime soda (or any bubbly beverage)
Juice the four limes into a shaker. Add agave and tequila, and shake well to combine. Rub a lime wedge along the rims of two glasses, and dip in salt. Fill glasses with ice. Pour margarita mixture into both glasses and top off with the bubbly beverage of your choice. Grab a lime wedge and stir stick, and you’re ready to party!
