Margarita [Salt-N-Soul Remix]

Perfect margarita with fresh lime juice and natural sweeteners that captures the spirit of celebration in every sip. This is the cocktail that makes every gathering feel like a fiesta with bright citrus flavors and smooth tequila balance.

Makes

Serves 2

Total Time

10 min (10 min prep)

Ingredients

Core Cocktail:
4 oz (120ml) silver tequila (100% agave)
2 oz (60ml) fresh lime juice (4-5 limes)
1 oz (30ml) fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
2 tbsp (30ml) raw honey or pure maple syrup
1 oz (30ml) orange liqueur (optional)
Ice for shaking and serving

For Garnish:
Coarse sea salt for rim
Lime wheels or wedges
Lime zest (optional)

Make it Good For The Gut (Optional)

Add 2 oz ginger kombucha for probiotics, digestive support, and extra fizz that complements the lime beautifully. Include 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar for digestive enzymes and gut-healing properties. Use raw honey instead of refined sweeteners for prebiotic benefits and natural enzymes. Add a pinch of sea salt with trace minerals for electrolyte balance and enhanced hydration.

Remix Options

Sweetener Swaps: Use allulose or monk fruit for keto version; agave nectar for traditional sweetness; coconut sugar for caramel notes. Citrus Variations: Grapefruit juice for paloma-style, blood orange for winter twist, or all lime for classic purist version. Fruit Additions: Muddle fresh strawberries, watermelon, or jalapeño for spicy kick; add mango or pineapple for tropical flair. Frozen Version: Blend with ice for frozen margarita texture; add frozen fruit for slushie consistency. Mezcal Twist: Replace half tequila with mezcal for smoky complexity and sophisticated flavor profile. Salt Rim Upgrades: Chili-lime salt, smoked salt, or hibiscus salt for gourmet presentation. Virgin Version: Omit alcohol and add sparkling water or ginger beer for mocktail option. Pitcher Recipe: Multiply by 4-6 and serve over ice for party-sized batches.

Good To Know

Tequila Quality: Always use 100% agave tequila for cleanest flavor and fewer impurities – avoid mixto tequilas with added sugars and artificial flavors. Fresh Citrus Essential: Fresh lime and lemon juice create bright, authentic flavor that bottled juice simply cannot match – squeeze just before use. Honey Integration: Raw honey needs proper muddling or shaking to fully dissolve and integrate smoothly with acidic citrus juices. Salt Rim Technique: Use coarse sea salt and rim only half the glass so drinkers can control salt intake with each sip. Ice Importance: Use fresh, hard ice for shaking to achieve proper dilution and temperature without over-watering the cocktail. Glassware Choice: Rocks glasses for on-the-rocks service, coupe glasses for up service, or traditional margarita glasses for festive presentation. Temperature Perfect: Serve immediately after shaking while properly chilled at 28-32°F (-2 to 0°C) for optimal taste experience. Balance Notes: Adjust lime-to-sweetener ratio to personal preference – start conservative and add more honey if needed. Storage Tips: Pre-mix large batches without ice and store refrigerated up to 3 days; add ice and shake just before serving.

steps

Prep:

Run lime wedge around rim of glasses to moisten, then dip rims in coarse sea salt, coating evenly. Set glasses aside while preparing cocktail.

Fill:

Fill prepared glasses with fresh ice and set aside. This pre-chills the glasses and ensures drinks stay cold longer when served.

Muddle:

In cocktail shaker, add raw honey and muddle gently with fresh lime and lemon juices until honey is completely dissolved and mixture is well combined.

Combine:

Add silver tequila and orange liqueur (if using) to the honey-citrus mixture in shaker. Stir briefly to integrate all liquid ingredients.

Shake:

Fill shaker completely with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until shaker becomes frosty and mixture is thoroughly chilled and diluted.

Strain:

Double strain cocktail through fine mesh strainer into prepared salt-rimmed glasses over fresh ice, ensuring smooth texture without ice shards or pulp.

Garnish:

Garnish each glass with lime wheel or wedge on rim. Add lime zest if desired for extra aromatic oils. Serve immediately while perfectly chilled.