The Margarita is one of the most common tequila-based cocktails, made with tequila mixed with triple sec and lime or lemon juice, often served with salt on the glass rim.

Margarita is the Latin word for pearl and the Spanish word for daisy.

Variations

Common ratios for a margarita are

• 2:1:1 = 6:3:3 (50% tequila, 25% Triple Sec, 25% fresh lime or lemon juice)
• 3:2:1 = 6:4:2 (50% tequila, 33% Triple Sec, 17% fresh lime or lemon juice)
• 3:1:1 = 6:2:2 (60% tequila, 20% Triple Sec, 20% fresh lime or lemon juice)
• 1:1:1 = 6:6:6 (33% tequila, 33% Triple Sec, 33% fresh lime or lemon juice)

although the IBA (IBA Official list of Cocktails) standard is

• 7:4:3 (7 parts tequila, 4 parts Triple Sec, 3 parts fresh lime or lemon juice)

The drink is usually served shaken with ice, on the rocks, or blended with ice (the "frozen margarita"). All three methods are frequently served with salt on the rim of the glass. Some bartenders specializing in tequila have the opinion that salt hides the flavor of bad Margaritas made with inferior tequilas. For people who insist on a salt rim, the bartender typically only coats half the glass or offers a straw, so that they can still taste the drink without being obscured by the salt's taste.Fact: date=February 2007

While the most common margaritas contain tequila, orange liqueur, lime or lemon juice, and sometimes an additional sweetener, such as simple syrup, many variations are becoming more and more common. Bottled lime juice (which contains sugar) is another method used to add sweetness.

Many consider fresh squeezed lime juice the key ingredient, but fresh-squeezed lemon juice may be used and, because lemons are more consistent and sweet, is often less bitter. The most common lime in the U.S. are the thick skinned Persian limes. However, margaritas in Mexico are generally made with Mexican limes (Key limes). These are small, thin skinned limes and have a more tart and an often bitter flavor compared to Persian limes. Meyer lemons may be used for a sweeter taste as well.

Alternate fruits and juice mixtures can also be used in a margarita. When the word "margarita" is used by itself, it typically refers to the lime or lemon juice margarita. But when other juices are used, the fruits are typically added as adjectives in the name, with lime juice or lemon juice added like a condiment (and a wedge of lime often added to the glass). Examples of popular combinations are:

• Raspberry margarita, with lime juice
• Strawberry or peach margarita, with lemon juice
• Mango margarita, with lime juice
• Melon margarita, often with melon liqueur such as Midori