The Texas Margarita is a fun twist on a classic margarita recipe. It uses simple ingredients, including a little orange juice, to make a drink that is smooth and strong, with just a touch of citrusy orange flavor.
What is a Texas Margarita?
In Texas, we love our margaritas! They are a very popular drink that can be ordered at practically every restaurant in the state.
As with most things, Texans are very particular about their margaritas. We like them smooth, strong, and perfectly sweetened, leaving the sweet and sour mix to our northern neighbors. Fresh, quality ingredients are the most important elements of a refreshing margarita recipe!
There isn't a known origin story for the Texas margarita. But it starts with the traditional margarita recipe made with lime juice.
The orange addition gives another layer of flavor and sweetens the drink, making it really refreshing. This is the best margarita for hot summer nights!
If you are looking for something that brings the heat then try this Hot Honey Margarita!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Balanced flavors: This Texas margarita recipe adds just a splash of fresh orange juice to make a brighter and more refreshing drink without taking away from the classic lime margarita flavor.
- Fresh ingredients: There is no sweet and sour mix in this cocktail! The orange and lime juices bring acidity and brightness to the cocktail, and the agave nectar balances the tartness from the lime without being overly sweet.
- Can be made in batches: Simply multiply the quantity of the ingredients by the number of servings you would like to make, and you can have a large batch of margaritas ready for your next happy hour. Just stir it all together in a pitcher.
Another popular Texas cocktail is Ranch Water, an easy 3 ingredient cocktail that is refreshing on a hot day!
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients, including measurements.
Silver Tequila: Use 2 ounces of top-shelf blanco tequila (silver) for a smooth-flavored margarita. I think Casamigos Blanco, Patron Silver, or Don Julio Blanco are the best tequila options for this drink, but you can use your favorite tequila. For a more complex flavor, try reposado or añejo tequila.
Triple Sec: Triple Sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that is made from orange rinds. Cointreau is a popular type of triple sec that works really well in this margarita! You can also use cognac or brandy-based orange liqueur, like Grand Marnier or Gran Gala.
Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is best for making a tasty margarita! It has more flavor and less bitterness than bottled lime juice.
Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice has the best flavor as well! But if you don't have an orange on hand you can use bottled juice, as long as it is 100% juice without any added sweetener.
Agave Nectar: Agave makes a great sweetener for margaritas because it is from the same plant that we use to make tequila. Simple syrup can also be used. I don't like my margaritas very sweet so this recipe uses just a small amount of agave nectar, but you can add more or less depending on your preference.
How to Make a Texas Margarita
1) Squeeze Juices
- Use a citrus press or juicer to squeeze the lime and orange juices.
2) Add Ingredients
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Next, add orange juice and lime to the shaker.
- Finally, add tequila, triple sec, and agave nectar.
3) Shake Well
- Secure the lid tightly onto your shaker and shake vigorously at least ten times.
4) Pour Into Glass
- Strain the margarita into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or orange slice.
Variations
Frozen - Add the margarita ingredients into a blender pitcher along with 1 cup of ice and blend until smooth. Pour into a cocktail glass with a salted rim and serve.
Big Batch - If you are having a party, make an 8-serving pitcher of margaritas in advance by mixing 2 cups tequila, ½ cup Triple Sec, 1 cup lime juice, ½ cup orange juice, and ¼ cup agave nectar. Multiply the ingredients in a large pitcher based on how many servings you want.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, the margaritas can be made up to 24 hours in advance of serving. Mix together in a glass or pitcher without ice and store it in the refrigerator. Shake or stir before serving.
I like to mix equal parts coarse salt and turbinado sugar for the rim of a margarita glass. It's just so pretty and tasty! Pour salt and sugar on a shallow plate and mix well. Rub a lime wedge around the top of the glass. Turn the glass upside-down and roll the edge of the glass in the salt mixture, pressing the mixture firmly onto the glass.
Pro Tip: Mix orange zest into the margarita salt for added flavor and color.
More Tex-Mex Recipes
This classic cocktail is an excellent accompaniment to practically any Tex Mex recipe! From a simple cocktail night with chips and guacamole to a full Mexican dinner. Here are some of my favorite Tex Mex recipes!
- Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
- Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Street Tacos with Fresh Pico De Gallo
- New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!
Recipe
Texas Margarita
Recipe by:Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounces triple sec
- 1 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce orange juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ ounce agave nectar Add additional for a sweeter drink
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
- Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigourosly.
- Strain the margarita into a glass that has been filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime or orange slice.
Notes
2 cups of tequila
½ cup triple sec
1 cup lime juice
½ cup orange juice
¼ cup agave nectar Sweet & Salty Rim: Mix equal parts turbinado sugar and kosher salt on a shallow plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip the glass into salt and sugar mixture. Frozen Texas Margarita: Place the margarita ingredients into a pitcher with one cup of ice cubes. Blend until smooth.
Anna
What brand of agave nectar do you use. I've seen so many from $5 -$40.
Erin
I am not brand loyal when it comes to agave nectar. The one in my cabinet right now is Simple Truth Organic. It was around $5. I do prefer light agave vs classic, as it sweetens without adding much flavor. Use dark agave if you want to add a little caramel flavor.