Cheers!

There are very few situations that aren't immediately improved by the presence of a margarita. Dinner at a fast-casual restaurant? Margarita it. Movie night with friends? Margaritas. Little league soccer games? That's why opaque water bottles were invented in the first place. 

Of course, not all margaritas are created equal—you can't just add some bottom-shelf tequila to store-bought Margarita Sour Mix and expect to capture that same refreshing, restaurant-quality that you get from paying $14 at a fancy Tex-Mex restaurant. Thankfully, you don't need to pay primo prices for primo drinks if you make them at home. Let's take a look at an easy, inexpensive recipe for making restaurant-quality margaritas from the comfort of your own home. Use this power responsibly. 

A QUICK NOTE: Don't try and skimp on ingredients or tools for making this margarita. YOU NEED a proper cocktail shaker in order to get those authentic, south-of-the-border results. DO NOT try mixing it in a glass—or, even worse—just adding the ingredients sans mixing and call it good. Making restaurant-quality margs at home is a craft that requires dedication and investment (or at least, the purchase of a $12 cocktail shaker). 

Cointreau is the secret ingredient in this recipe, and it can run a little costly when you first buy a bottle. This liqueur is an orange-flavored triple sec that makes a massive difference in margaritas. It's absolutely worth asking your liquor store if they have any, as it's the key to turning your home margarita game into the buzz (and the buzz) of your next party. Thankfully, you don't need a whole lot for each batch of margaritas, meaning a single bottle will last you a good many drinks. 

There's also no shame in buying a cocktail measuring cup if one doesn't already come packaged with your cocktail shaker. Getting the ratios correct is the secret to a good margarita, and the easiest way to do that is by actually measuring them.

Let's begin!

THE INGREDIENTS

• 3 oz of Agave Tequila
• 1.5 oz of Cointreau
• 1.5 oz of FRESH lime juice
• Ice
• Limes for garnish
• Kosher Salt

THE METHOD

• Cut a lime in half and rub it along the edges of a chilled glass before dipping it in kosher salt and filling partway with ice. 
• Combine liquid ingredients in your cocktail shaker. 
• Shake vigorously. Like, real vigorously. Then shake it a few more times for good measure. Get ALL of your anger out. 
• Pour and garnish with a slice of lime!
• That's it!

The secret to a good margarita isn't finessing any sort of overly fancy technique, it's about choosing the right ingredients and properly salting your glass beforehand. Once you get enough practice, the entire thing looks completely effortless, giving you an incredibly powerful skill to bring to barbeques and dinner parties alike. 

Remember to enjoy responsibly! Namely, by making enough for everyone!