- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- juice of 1 lime, or of half a lemon and half a lime
If you want a cheaper one, use blended tequila and generic triple-sec. If you want a fancier one, use 100% agave tequila (plata/silver is better, in my opinion; reposado will work too though be somewhat wasteful, but save the añejo for sippin') and Cointreau or Grand Marnier -- Cointreau is drier, Grand Marnier is sweeter. In all cases, though, don't cheap out on the citrus, because that's the thing that makes or breaks a Margarita. As in all things foodie and drinkie, let your own tastebuds guide you, but my advice is:if you use Cointreau, use the half-lemon-half-lime version; if you use generic Triple Sec or Grand Marnier, all lime works better.
If you use sweet-and-sour mix, be ashamed.