Margarita Clásica (Classic Margarita)

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: None
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4

It's National Margarita Day! On this day, I'll be shaking up some margaritas for friends and family (after the kids have gone to bed, naturally!)

But which tequila to buy? The big issue here is that we know the cheap stuff will give us horrible hangovers. And I really don't want to face a house full of noisy, energetic kids with a hangover!

Why does cheap tequila make us feel so bad?

Cheap tequila is not made from 100% agave. In fact, a lot of cheap tequila has added sugar, and a load of additives and preservatives. It's THIS that gives you that hangover from hell that takes you days to get over.

However, on the other hand, do you really want to spend lots of money on expensive tequila when you're using it to make margaritas?

It's a bit like making mulled wine from a vintage Shiraz. Not only would anyone who's a connoisseur be horrified, you're also wasting a lot of money!

No, if you like your tequila, then keep the expensive stuff for another day when you can really appreciate what your money has bought.

For the perfect margarita:

1) You want a cheap bottle (NEVER pay more than $25).

2) You also want something that won't have you feeling like a bear with a sore head for up to three days afterwards....in other words, no added sugars and additives.

3) You should buy a Blanco (silver tequila) as it has a very neutral flavor that marries well with the other Margarita flavors, and doesn't overpower them.

Stay clear of Joven or Gold tequila (one that has added flavorings and colorings that are heavy, and is also rarely made from 100% agave).

Also, avoid Reposado tequila and Añejo tequila, as both have been aged for various lengths of time, which means they have a lot of complex flavors, and are therefore more expensive and should be enjoyed on their own.

To make life easier for you, we've searched high and low, and come up with two fantastic Blanco tequilas; both are under $25, both are made from 100% agave (so no horrid hangovers), and both we've tried and tested using our simple Margarita Clásica recipe.

Get a bottle of one of these top rated tequilas, and then whip up some tasty margaritas for your friends and family that they will NOT regret the next day!

The Milagro Tequila Silver is a perfect   tequila for margaritas. A little salty in taste, but this added to the 'bite' of our margaritas and wasn't overpowering. Our margaritas, were smooth and very drinkable, and with the promise of 100% agave, we had no hangovers the next day!

If you want your Margaritas to have a little bit more flavor and smoke in it, try the Margaritaville Silver Tequila which has just a hint of orange and grapefruit, with a dash of pepper. One of our reviewers commented that this made margaritas have 'a bit more kick', but was still smooth, not overpowering, and is made with 100% agave and no added sugars.

Now, let's get you making our margaritas!

Your Ingredients:

8 ounces tequila (either Milagro Tequila Silver, or Margaritaville Silver Tequila)

4 ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice

4 ounces of Cointreau

Salt for garnish

How to make your Margarita Clásica

In a cocktail shaker, add your tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau (you may need to make two servings at a time, depending on the size of your cocktail shaker).

Now add crushed ice and shake!

Moisten the rim of each of your cocktail glasses with some extra lime juice, or some water.

Create a bed of salt on a worktop or cutting board. You only need a thin layer, but make sure it is wider than the circumference of the cocktail glass rims.

Hold each cocktail glass upside down and dip the moistened rims into the salt.

Now, use a strainer to strain your margaritas from the cocktail shaker into your salt-rimmed cocktail glasses.

Happy National Margarita Day!