Top shelf margarita with fresh citrus.
This is going to be your new favorite ‘rita.
Margaritas are one of my favorite cocktails. I don’t think I’m alone, considering we have an official National Margarita Day to celebrate on February 22. In the spirit of sharing my favorite spirits, I’m going to share my absolute favorite lime margarita recipe. I made this top shelf margarita with fresh citrus at a friend’s house when we had a bottle of Patron Silver, a bottle of O3 orange liqueur and some fruit. We figured it would be worth trying to make something close to a ‘rita, little did we know it would become our favorite version. No sugary mixes or syrups just liquor and fruit – sounds just about perfect, doesn’t it?
The recipe below is for one single cocktail, if you’d like to make a batch of them I suggest making a pitcher of the fruit juice mix and keeping the alcohol separate. Fresh squeezed citrus does not last very long, a couple of days max, so if you have any leftover freeze it, add it to iced tea, lemonade or water.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Patron Silver
- 1 oz O3 orange liqueur
- 3-4 oz fresh squeezed citrus juice (2 oranges, 1 lime, 1/2 lemon)
Instructions
- combine juice from two oranges, one lime and 1/2 lemon in a measuring cup, set aside
- fill rocks glass with ice
- add tequila and orange liqueur
- top with approx. 3 or 4 oz of citrus juice (to taste)
- stir to mix well
- garnish with lime wedge

I don’t add salt to the rim of this margarita because it’s a little bit tart and I don’t think it’s necessary. Feel free to add it if you prefer, it won’t make or break the drink.
If you are looking for a more traditional, sweeter margarita or if you are serving a bunch of people and want a big batch drink you can make ahead of time, check out my recipe for Classic Party Margaritas on A Dish of Daily Life. It’s my favorite recipe when we are having a party and I don’t have the time to make a bunch of individual drinks.
Whatever your style, you can’t go wrong with either of the margaritas above. I’d love to know…do you have a favorite margarita? Do you normally make them at home? Let me know if you make either (or both!) of these margaritas, I’d love to know what you think.
As always, this recipe is intended for those 21 or over. Please drink responsibly.
Cheers!