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Margarita Without Triple Sec

4.2

(23)

Three Margaritas with salted rims and lime garnishes
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Judy Mancini

You'll notice that this particular margarita recipe is missing one ingredient that's crucial to a classic margarita. Orange liqueur (often Cointreau or another triple sec) typically brings sweetness to this drink, balancing the tart lime and tequila. The trouble is, that liqueur can mask the flavor of great tequila—and sometimes we really want to taste the tequila. To compensate, this version incorporates simple syrup, which smooths things out but lets the spirit and the lime juice shine. The resulting margarita is fresher tasting, with a brightness that sings of summer. Drink up.

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What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1

Ingredients

Kosher salt (for serving)

½

thick lime wheel (for serving)

2

oz. tequila blanco

¾

oz. fresh lime juice

¾

oz. simple syrup

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place some salt on a small plate. Rub rim of an old-fashioned or rocks glass with lime (reserve for serving); dip in salt. Fill with ice and set aside.

    Step 2

    Combine tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.

    Step 3

    Strain cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer or a slotted spoon into reserved glass. Garnish with lime wheel.

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Reviews (23)

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  • This is pretty much how I make mine, but use agave nectar instead of simple syrup and add fresh squeezed Orange juice as well. I use pretty decent tequila and prefer the taste of that, no need for triple sec. NO it’s not “authentic” but it’s damned tasty to me. 🙂 P.S. a Tequila Sour has lemon, bitters & egg white in addition to the the lime & tequila… So this is definitely not that.

    • Cee6805

    • NH

    • 4/21/2023

  • Not a Margarita. This is a Tequila Sour.

    • Jordan

    • Kenosha, WI

    • 9/20/2022

  • Simple & delicious. Do not like the sugary Margarita mixes. You may adjust the sweetness to your own taste with the simple syrup. Sometimes I add sliced jalapenos to the sugar water mix when making the simple syrup for a little kick!

    • Wanda

    • Corpus Christi Texas

    • 5/30/2021

  • Lazy, yes. A real margarita, no. The real Margarita FROM Mexico where my friend went for 6 months every year is this. 3 parts Tequila, 2 parts Triple Sec, 1 part fresh lemon juice, 1 part fresh lime juice. Try this one and you will leave the BA poor substitute forever.

    • Kathryn

    • Canada

    • 3/14/2021

  • Straight forward and delicious. You can add a splash of cuantro. Maybe a Grand Marnier float.

    • ellisbancroft

    • San Diego

    • 5/16/2020

  • Simple. Delicious. It's a must. Used 1/2oz of simple syrup, perfect amount to subtle sweetness and tartness.

    • Anonymous

    • Chicago, IL

    • 4/10/2020

  • My hubs and I made these two nights in a row. Simple, perfect margarita. Not missing a thing.

    • Anonymous

    • Louisville, KY

    • 3/22/2020