Margarita Pitcher Recipe Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Margarita Pitcher Recipe Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This Margarita Pitcher Recipe is perfect for serving a crowd, made with simple and fresh ingredients, and utterly delicious. There has never been a more perfect margarita! We have written the recipe to serve one or as many as 24.

Margarita Pitcher Recipe Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in a Perfect Margarita?

We love this margarita because it tastes fresh, isn’t too sweet, and is made with simple ingredients. It is super smooth, so watch out! It works great as a single serving, or as an entire pitcher. You’re going to love this!

  • Cointreau: This orange liqueur is a staple in margaritas. I prefer Cointreau over triple sec, but either will work.
  • Lime Juice: Freshly-squeezed lime juice is the key to a delicious margarita. Don’t use bottled lime juice; it just won’t taste the same!
  • Tequila: Choose a good-quality Reposado tequila for the smoothest, best-tasting margaritas.
  • Agave Syrup: Agave nectar is a great all-natural sweetener. Use more or less depending on your tastes.
  • Ice: Chills down individual servings and keeps them cool all day long.

Pro Tip: Batch these margaritas early in the day, but shake up individual drinks just before serving for the best taste!

Variations on a Pitcher of Margaritas

These pitcher margaritas are so versatile. With just a few simple changes, you can customize these for any crowd!

  • Mezcal Margaritas: Swap the Reposado tequila for your favorite brand of Mezcal for smoky margaritas.
  • Spicy Margaritas: Muddle a few jalapeño slices in the bottom of each glass before pouring in the margarita, or add some chili powder to the salt rim.
  • Skinny Margaritas: Follow my skinny margarita recipe!
  • Virgin Margaritas: Swap the tequila for sparkling water and the Cointreau for orange juice. Batch these mocktails without the sparkling water (it’ll cause your shaker to leak), then top them off with sparkling water just before serving.
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What is the 321 margarita rule?

An easy way to remember how to mix a classic margarita is to memorize the ratio 3-2-1:three parts tequila, two parts triple sec, and one part lime juice. We changed up the ratios a bit in this recipe, and I think it’s even better this way, but you be the judge!

How many people does this Margarita Pitcher Recipe serve?

We have written the recipe below for just one serving and also for 24 servings in a large pitcher. You decide if it’s worth sharing with friends. This is one I might just keep all to myself.

What is the best tequila?

When making margaritas, I always opt for one that isn’t the most expensive and isn’t the cheapest. You want a quality tequila that is smooth and well made, but there’s no reason to break the bank when you’re not sipping it straight. For these Pitcher Margaritas, we recommend using a Reposado Tequila which is typically smoother than a Blanco or Anejo Tequila. Once we made that change in this recipe, it made all the difference.

Are Triple Sec and Cointreau the same thing?

Cointreau is a brand of Triple Sec, so technically yes. Cointreau is a trusted brand from France and their Orange Liqueur is delicious! I find some Triple Sec has a bitter or fake taste, but not Cointreau.

What’s the secret to a perfect margarita?

The secret to a perfect margarita is to shake up each margarita before serving. You can batch this co*cktail in a large pitcher, but add 2-4 servings to a shaker filled with ice and shake up the co*cktails just before serving. I promise, it makes all the difference!

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How to Store

Store leftover pitcher margaritas tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Shake individual drinks over ice in a co*cktail shaker just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

A pitcher of margaritas is the best easy co*cktail for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Serve them up with Baked Chicken Tacos, White Queso, Mexican Street Corn Dip, Chicken Nachos, or Homemade Tortilla Chips and Salsa.

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Recipe

Margarita Pitcher Recipe

4.58 from 762 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 0 minutes minutes

Total: 5 minutes minutes

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Serves1 drink

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This recipe resulted in the quest to find the Perfect Margarita Pitcher Recipe. The hunt for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo drinks and snacks begins early…usually on May 6th of the previous year.

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Ingredients

For Individual (One, 4.5-ounce) Serving

  • 1 ounce Cointreau
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 ounces Reposado Tequila 100% pure de Agave Tequila
  • ounce Agave syrup (2 teaspoons) I use Tres Agaves, Agave Nectar – organic
  • 1 cup ice

For 13 (4-ounce) Servings

  • cups Cointreau
  • cups freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 3 cups Reposado Tequila
  • ½ cup Agave syrup
  • 12 cups Ice

For 18 (4-ounce) Servings

  • cups Cointreau
  • cups freshly squeezed lime juice
  • cups Reposado Tequila
  • ¾ cup Agave syrup
  • 1 bag ice

For 24 (4 ounce) Servings:

  • 3 cups Cointreau
  • 3 cups freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 6 cups Reposado Tequila
  • 1 cup Agave syrup
  • 1 bag ice

Instructions

If making for a crowd (13, 18, or 24 servings)

  • In 2-quart pitcher, combine all ingredients, except the ice. Keep the margarita mixture refrigerated until ready to serve.

  • When ready to serve, rim the glasses with salt (if desired) and fill each with ice.

  • Fill a co*cktail shaker ¾ of the way with ice. Add enough prepared margarita mixture to the top of the ice. Cover tightly and shake vigorously 10-15 seconds. Pour into prepared glasses and serve immediately. Drain excess water from the shaker. Repeat for the additional servings, adding more ice as needed.

  • Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

For Individual Servings

  • See above if salting the rim of the glass.

  • Fill the shaker about halfway with ice and add all other ingredients. Shake vigorously 10-15 seconds.

    1 ounce Cointreau, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 ounces Reposado Tequila, ⅓ ounce Agave syrup, 1 cup ice

  • Immediately pour into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • We like to keep our tequila in the freezer to create the coldest margarita recipe possible with the least amount of ice. I don’t want to water this deliciousness down!
  • If you want an even fresher taste, you can add a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice!
  • These Margaritas are not very sweet. If you would like them sweeter, just add more agave syrup to taste.
  • If you want salted glass rims: Cover the bottom of a small plate with margarita salt. Rub the rims of the glasses with a lime wedge, dip the rims in the margarita salt, and set the glasses upright to dry a tad before filling with ice.
  • NOTE: It’s important to shake the margaritas before serving. Add 2-4 servings to a shaker with ice right before serving and repeat for each serving. Makes all the difference. Your guests will thank you!
  • These margaritas are best made within 8 hours of serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1drink Calories: 255kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 19g (6%) Protein: 0.2g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.03g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 16mg (1%) Potassium: 43mg (1%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 16g (18%) Vitamin A: 14IU Vitamin C: 10mg (12%) Calcium: 11mg (1%) Iron: 0.1mg (1%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Margarita Pitcher Recipe Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

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More Margarita Recipes We Love

  • Orange Margaritas
  • Spicy Blackberry Margaritas
  • Azul Margaritas
  • Beer Margaritas
  • Watermelon Margaritas
  • Strawberry Basil Margaritas
  • See all of our Margarita Recipes!

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Margarita Pitcher Recipe Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

How many people does a pitcher of margaritas serve? ›

How many people does a pitcher of margaritas serve? A pitcher of margaritas will yield about 12 margaritas. But you can also do the math by dividing the ounces of alcohol by 2. Every co*cktail has about 2 ounces of alcohol per serving.

What is the legend Texas Roadhouse margarita? ›

Texas Roadhouse's Legendary Margarita is made with 19% Persian lime juice and blue agave from the Jalisco region of Mexico, blended with orange oils, which creates a one-of-a-kind flavor profile.

What is a good ratio of tequila to margarita mix? ›

The traditional margarita recipe is made with a ratio of 2:1:1, which means: 2 parts tequila or 2 oz. 1 part triple sec or 1 oz. 1 part lime juice or 1 oz.

Why do you put triple sec in margaritas? ›

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.

What can I add to my margarita mix to make it better? ›

A splash of fruit juice can also add some more flavor to your margaritas. Grapefruit juice will give a tart, slightly sour flavor, while pineapple juice creates a more tropical-tasting drink. "Citrus-based juices are essential for balancing out the sweetness of a margarita," David Alan told Insider.

How long will a pitcher of margaritas last? ›

Yes, margaritas on the rocks, homemade or made with mix, will stay fresh up to three days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store the margaritas without ice so it doesn't water down your co*cktail. If you want to serve a pitcher of frozen margaritas, blend them and leave them in the freezer.

Is Cointreau the same as Triple Sec? ›

While Grand Marnier and Cointreau are brand names of specific products, Triple Sec is actually a category in and of itself. Many brands make Triple Sec — in fact, Cointreau itself is a triple sec. The alcohol content in different types of Triple Sec vary quite a bit – from about 15 percent to as much as 40 percent.

What kind of salt do you use for margaritas? ›

What Is The Best Salt For Margarita Rim? The best salt to use is kosher salt, which is more coarse and won't dissolve quickly as table salt will. However, several variations from spicy salt to flavored salt are available today, giving the kosher standard a run for its money.

What is a Candyman margarita? ›

The Candyman Margarita is a fun and frightening addition to the family of margaritas, with sweet, sour, citrus, berry and candy notes. A co*cktail so delicious it'll make you say Candyman five times! It's the perfect margarita for the tequila lover looking for a fun twist on the classic co*cktail.

What is the difference between a Texas margarita and a house margarita? ›

What makes a Texas margarita different from the traditional margarita is the addition of fresh orange juice. This gives a juicy and citrusy touch, making the drink lighter and more refreshing than the classic margarita. The classic margarita only relies on lime juice to counter the orange liqueur and tequila.

What is the 321 rule for margaritas? ›

An easy way to remember how to mix a classic margarita is to memorize the ratio 3-2-1: three parts tequila, two parts good triple sec (like Luxardo Triplum, Cointreau, or Combier), and one part lime juice. Serve it on the rocks with salt, as pictured, or serve it up in a chilled glass.

What is the best formula for margaritas? ›

The formula for the perfect margarita:

The key to making the best margarita is all in the ratio and balance of the ingredients. This recipe is doubled to make two margs, but for one perfectly balanced margarita, we use 2 oz. of tequila, 1 oz. of triple sec, and 3/4 oz. lime juice.

Does triple sec go bad? ›

Unopened bottles of triple sec last indefinitely when stored properly. Even after they've been opened, properly stored bottles can last up to a year or longer. The liqueur won't necessarily go bad after that long, but the taste might start to change.

What was the original margarita made with? ›

The "Original Margarita" recipe, as given by Cointreau on their website, has slightly more of their own sweet liqueur: 1 part white tequila, 1⁄2 part Cointreau, and 1⁄2 part fresh squeezed lime juice.

How is Cointreau different from triple sec? ›

Cointreau is a type of triple sec with a significantly higher alcohol content.

Why is it called a dirty margarita? ›

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

What is the precursor to margarita? ›

However, early Margaritas probably didn't look like the ones we drink today. In fact, the drink believed to be Margarita's predecessor didn't use tequila at all. A late 19th-century invention, the Brandy Daisy was typically mixed with lemon juice, Chartreuse, and—you guessed it—brandy.

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